Global Game Jam comes to UAH Jan. 29-31

Global Game Jam^®, the world’s largest game creation event, is coming to UAH. The event will start at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, with onsite registration beginning at 4 p.m. in 168 Wilson Hall.

Michael Mercier | UAH

Global Game Jam^®, the world's largest game creation event, is coming to The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), and local game developers of all interest levels and backgrounds are invited to take part. The event will start at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, and conclude at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31. Participants can either register online anytime prior to the event or onsite beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, in 168 Wilson Hall.

"The Global Game Jam has been a worldwide phenomenon since 2008, and this year, we are hosting Huntsville's first site," says Vinny Argentina, an assistant professor of art, animation, and game design at UAH. "The event will be opening and closing on the UAH campus, with participants primarily working off campus throughout the weekend. However, based on the success of this year's event, we hope to grow it into a full-fledged UAH event next year."

The jam typically kicks off with a short keynote video offering advice from leading game developers before the secret theme is announced. Participants are then challenged at sites across the world to make games, either digital or non-digital, based on that theme within the 48-hour period allotted. Last year, Global Game Jam comprised 518 sites in 78 countries, adding up to more than 28,800 registered participants.

And while there is no prize for the best game - the goal of the jam is to stimulate collaboration and not engender competition - there is a payoff nonetheless. "It's a great opportunity for anyone interested in game development to prototype new designs that may ultimately impact the game industry," says Argentina.