Students take part in first in person Global Game Jam since 2020
Students and game developers came together once again to take part in the Global Game Jam, the first time it has been hosted in-person since the pandemic.
The Global Game Jam (is an annual game creation challenge, which invites countries from around the world to create a game in just 48 hours.
Game creators are set with the challenge of creating a game based on a specific theme, which is only revealed at the beginning of the 48-hour event. This year, the theme was set as “Roots” and participants were encouraged to be as creative as possible.
Glasgow Caledonian University has hosted the Scottish Game Jam for it’s 14th year, with this year’s activity taking place in the GCU Students’ Association building from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 February.
First year Games Development student Joshua Maher took part for the first time this year, creating a game titled “Deep Rooted” alongside his assembled team. The game was created in the style of ‘drag and click’ survival and it involved playing as a root which collects water and nutrients in order to survive.
He explained: “I have a module every year where I have to make a game with a group of classmates, so I felt that getting this experience would make those classes go a bit smoother. Plus, it feels like everyone tells you to do a Game Jam. When you Google how to get a job in games ‘Just make games! Go to as many Game Jams as you can!’ or something along those lines always comes up.”
Whilst creating their game, Joshua and his team mates came across some technical challenges but the combined talents of each member proved to be useful in the end. Joshua explained: “The pixel art style is thanks to our artist, who has taught himself game development for the last three years. The code was done by a woman who has a game design degree from NYU and has worked as a freelancer for two years.
The music and sound effects were done by a fourth year Audio Technology student here at GCU and then there’s me who’s done one class on game design.”
He added: “The technical problems were definitely the biggest challenges. From a design perspective, the hardest part was figuring out the balance between a relaxing game with strategic elements and a game about challenge. If the game was too easy, it wouldn’t be fun but if it was too hard, it would contradict the experience we were trying to create. With more time, we could have perfected this balance.”
Looking back at the 48-hour challenge, Joshua enjoyed the opportunity to apply his course knowledge into a real working environment. He said “The weekend felt like I was on an episode of The Apprentice; working with strangers and trying to accomplish so much in a short amount of time. I like the business aspect – not that anyone chooses game development for the money. Thinking about your game’s USP, target audience, and testing it with players and implementing changes based on their feedback.
It was so fun to apply everything I’d learned in class and getting to ask the actual game developer on my team about her design process and how to code certain things.”
The Global Game Jam isn’t strictly open to those studying or working in a computer games background; all disciplines are invited to take part, including MSc Advanced Physiotherapy Practice student Pranali Khatri.
She explained: “I was really fascinated by the idea of Global Game Jam. The Global Game Jam platform provides an opportunity to interact with new international students from various parts of the world. Apart from that, I was excited to create new games.
The game our team produced was called Space Gardens. The game was based on where an individual goes to the past and future to find the roots. The technical problems were also a challenge, for instance creating barriers for the game after many trials and errors. However, we managed to overcome this challenge.”
After a busy weekend, both students have come away from the event feeling accomplished and want to encourage students, from any background, to get involved if they have an interest in game creation. Joshua said: “I know I’m supposed to sound like I work for Nike here and say ‘Just Do It!’ but I mean it. Even if you have no experience, none at all. If you are interested in making games as a hobby, or as a job, just go! You will be accepted on a team and you will touch every corner of the development process. You won’t be useless. You can help come up with ideas, you can test the game with players, you can research similar games, you can give a second opinion on design decisions.”
Pranali said: “The overall experience was excellent. The main highlight of the event was the game quiz was quite interesting. I learned many interesting facts about the games ranging from game music to Global Game Jam history.
I would like to encourage others to participate in the event as it will an opportunity to interact with various international students and home students from various institutions. In addition to this, it provides an opportunity to learn about game production.”
Find out more about the Global Game Jam on their website
By Rachael McAlonan
Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media here