'Global Game Jam,' Locally Hosted by UB Jan. 24-26, Gives Gamers a Chance to Post Up Their Skills
December 20, 2013
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Gamers of all kinds and all skill levels—whether they love challenging their peers in an online world ruled by a joystick and a microphone or settling in for an in-person experience with only a pair of dice to guide them—are invited to both design and test drive all kinds of games at the 2014 Global Game Jam, locally hosted on Jan. 24-26 by the University of Baltimore's Simulation and Digital Entertainment program in the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.
The event, part of a worldwide "hackathon" focused on game development and demonstrations, will take place in UB's Academic Center Room 219, located at 1420 N. Charles St., at the following times:
- Friday, Jan. 24, 2 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 25, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 26, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Participation in UB's hosting of the Global Game Jam is free, but users must sign up to be involved. Those who attend can create a game, solo or as part of a team, or just come to watch. They can even make up a team on the spot. No experience is necessary—just a desire to make a cool game.
Go here to sign up and learn more.
Dave Inscore, an 18-year game industry veteran and founder of Big Huge Games, will give the opening night talk on Jan. 24.
According to the Global Game Jam website, this event is the world's largest game jam to take place at various physical locations.
"[I]n today's heavily connected world, we could come together, be creative, share experiences and express ourselves in a multitude of ways using video games," the site says. "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. [Global Game Jam] encourages people with all kinds of backgrounds to participate and contribute to this global spread of game development and creativity."
At last year's event, the site notes, more than 3,000 games were created in 309 locations in 63 countries.
Judges representing both the gaming industry and academia will award prizes for the top games.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.