Archive for January, 2016

Global Game Jam (GGJ) is a worldwide event where people gather to develop and create a game in 48 hours. The game could be a board game, PC, mobile, or physical game. The first GGJ was held in 2008. Just last year, there were 500 locations that spanned 78 countries in which students created 5,439 games in one weekend! This year will be ACU’s 5th time participating.

This is a great chance to try something different that you always wanted to try, to experiment, and see what can be done. Students who come to this event will be able to seek out assistance with school projects or with their creative ideas around the GGJ theme. In past years students that were participating used the opportunity to develop a game that they later sold in the iTunes and Google app stores.

DET professor Dr. Burton states,

We are really excited to participate in GGJ this year.  Not only do we have a lot of Digital Entertainment Technology majors and minors who will be participating, but we are expecting a significant participation from students in other majors as well.  This is a chance to bring your ideas to the table for a game and see how much you can get done in a dedicated weekend. Best of all, there will be food available during the Jam, so you don’t have to leave, you can focus on your game.

Student Austin Graham reflects on his past GGJ experiences:

I have been present at the last two Global Game Jams. At the first one, I went with the theme and attempted to come up with a game in 48 hours. The results were less than stellar, but the experience was a good one. I like attending the GGJ because there is, in my opinion, a nice, productive atmosphere where I can work on projects and it does not feel too demanding or tedious.

This event will be held January 29-31 in the third floor of the Mabee Business Building. Snacks and drinks will be provided. The kick-off event begins Friday, January 29 at 6:00 pm.

For information on registering, email us at sitc@acu.edu