Global Game Jam
Do you love video game design? Are you keen to work with a creative and collaborative community of game developers (both technical and non-technical)? Global Game Jam is a “hackathon” in which people gathered in locations across the world work on developing video games in a 48-hour development cycle. Anyone over 18 (or, if under 18, with a parent) can participate. Check the website and see if there’s a GGJ site near you!
“The Global Game Jam® (GGJ) is the world's largest game creation event taking place around the globe, typically at physical locations. A "game jam" is essentially a hackathon focused on game development. It is the growth of an idea that in today’s heavily connected world, we could come together, be creative, share experiences and express ourselves in a multitude of ways using video games – it is very universal. The weekend stirs a global creative buzz in games, while at the same time exploring the process of development, be it programming, iterative design, narrative exploration or artistic expression. It is all condensed into a 48 hour development cycle. The GGJ encourages people with all kinds of backgrounds to participate and contribute to this global spread of game development and creativity.”
“Experience is not necessary. Designers, developers, artists, musicians, knitters, gardeners, architects, everyone and anyone is welcome to try their hand at making a game during the GGJ. You can lean many new skills and support your team by contributing ideas, playtesting, and giving moral support. You could work on a non-digital game, and then there's no need for code!”
NOTE: Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
How do I get started? Click here.
How do I expand this narrative arc?
Apply to the UCLA Game Lab Summer Institute
Start a fundraiser in your community with Gamer’s Gift
Donate your voice to help train A.I. to give voice to people who do not have their own. Vocail ID is a fantastic, interesting and quick project to do for students interested in A.I.
Organize and host a hackathon at your high school to solve a community problem. This article gives some great tips about how to organize one.
Apply for a highly selective summer program that focuses on computer science and programming.
HOT TIP: This is an interesting way to take your gaming and game development to the next level. You’ll get more out of the experience than fun if there’s a link between this and your overall narrative arc!