UEL hosts event for global gaming industry
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Global Game Jam organisers look for new gaming voices
Published
29 January 2021
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The University of East London (UEL) is a venue host for the world's largest game creation event GGJ - Global Game Jam - and the organisers are looking beyond gaming for recruits.
Anyone over 18 can join in and there's a special invitation for students and staff outside the computer games discipline to sign up - from programmers, designers, architects, writers and artists of all kinds.
Experience is not necessary, and organisers are looking to hear from a diverse range of voices.
The Global Game Jam Online runs 29-31 January, starting at 5pm.
There are so many skills we need to call on to make a fully rounded game so we're hoping for a diverse range of talents to sign up. The Game Jam provides an opportunity to expand what video games could or should be, which is why diverse voices and fresh perspectives are so welcome.
"Because of Covid-19 and the lockdown, interest in computer games has gone through the roof. This kind of Game Jam is not only a lot of fun and a chance to meet like-minded people, but it provides a window on the type of collaboration and skills people in the sector might need to turn a passion into a career,"
Shringi Kumari, UEL lecturer and games designer, said.
This year it's fully online because of Covid-19. Participants will be using digital platforms such as Discord to organise and arrange teams as well as showcase work. The theme will be kept secret until the last minute.
In a game jam, participants try to make - or start - a game from scratch, working in teams with a range of skill sets from programmers, designers, artists, writers and others in game-related fields. The games can be small text-based interactions, Instagram games, board games or digital games made using any game engine.
Register - or ask questions - at the Global Game Jam website for the UEL event and use #UELGGJ. Join the GGJ on Discord.
To find out more about how to start a career in computer games, see the University of East London's course webpages.
Global Game Jam: Factfile
- The Global Game Jam, founded in 2008, has over 900 locations in 100 countries.
- GGJ's mission is to stimulate innovation, experimentation, and collaboration in games. The annual event usually kicks off with video keynotes and advice from leaders in the game development industry.
- Previous themes have been: Repair; What Your Home Means To You; Transmission; and Waves. And GGJ hackathons have resulted in published games such as Screencheat, Surgeon Simulator and Mushroom 11.
- GGJ organisers say the GGJ encourages collaboration and its events are not a competition. The event is well-known for fostering friendships while increasing confidence and opportunities within participating communities.
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