Signup for the 2nd Global Game Jam has begun.

Global Game Jam participants

The Global Game Jam is an international computer game making festival, where people all over the world race to make an original game in a single weekend. In 2009, the first Global Game Jam involved 1600 people, from 23 countries. From Caracas to Tokyo they made 370 games in one weekend. As the organizers put it, “lives were changed, jobs found, ideas sold, collaborations and opportunities abound.”

Miami University is a site location for the second Global Game Jam ever. We will be hosting participants for the 2010 Global Game, on January 29-31, 2010. For independent game makers, students, and game enthusiasts this is a one-of-kind experience. The event, organized by the International Game Developer’s Association, is the only event of its type in the world.

The Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media studies will be partnering with the Computer Science and Software Engineering department at Miami University to make our school one of the best locations in the Global Game Jam community. Participation is not limited to those areas nor is it limited to members of the Miami community. We strongly encourage everyone with a passion for game making and interactive media to participate. Teams include artists, sound designers, interaction designers, programmers, and anyone with passion for game making. Everyone from high school students to industry professionals may participate. Participants may even receive international press for their game designs. Registration is now available.

I was a guest designer at the Chicago location for the Global Game in 2009 and the energy was fantastic. People fall into a rhythm and really have fun at the event. Spending one intense weekend developing a game is a nice way to add to your portfolio, finally get started on that game you’ve been meaning to make, experience game design, or simply bond with other people who share your passion.

From the 2010 Global Game Jam press release:
“Game Jams foster innovation and experimentation. If you have ever wanted to make a game, be a part of a team, or go outside of your usual working method, then a game jam is for you. It’s all about making games and in the GGJ you’re part of a global experiment in creativity. A game jam is not for the faint of heart though. It’s two days of hard work, experimentation, little sleep, collaboration, new friends, great ideas, laughs, technical issues and the time of your life.

Everyone is given similar constraints and rules to make their games, it is amazing how different and culturally diverse the games will be. The Nordic Game Jam has honored GGJ with being the flagship Game Jam. The goal is to provide a vehicle for professional developers, students and hobbyist to come together and have an incredible experience in collaboration and inventiveness. The GGJ works perfectly into the mission of the International Game Developers Association, ‘Connecting members with their peers & promoting professional development.’ A Game Jam is not a competition, it is unique ‘idea space’ where sometimes things work and sometimes they don’t. “

If you are interested in creating a team, you should being to organize yourselves now. The strongest teams balance designers, artists, and developers. The Global Game Jam will be accepting participants soon, so get ready for this exceptional opportunity! You can learn more about the Miami University Global Game jam at http://aims.muohio.edu/gamejam.