Dundee & Angus College’s Games Jam took place over the 18th& 19th January. This is the third year the event has been held and it is definitely going form Good to Great, with even more students participating and more local companies supporting the event.
This year 51 students from D&A’s computing and creative media courses took part in the two-day event. They formed into teams and worked together to design their own games in just 48 hours.
The event was supported by judges from game creators Ninja Kiwi, publishers DC Thomson, mobile developer Outlplay Entertainment and ex-students from the University of Abertay. The event was sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors and YoYo Games, who were on hand to offer advice and support as well.
Projects like this are not only fun for the participants, they are an excellent industry challenge which gives the students insight into the working world, including experience of working in teams, working to deadlines and delivering presentations. The support of local companies allows the students to begin networking and making the connections to the steps they want to take after college.
The companies also benefit from the event; they can see the standard of work being undertaken locally and can begin building relationships with potential future employees.
At the end of the event special commendations went to several different teams
- Graphics & Design award – Ava Games for “Exhibit Earth”
- Promotion award – Error Code for “Pothead”
The winners of the Gameplay award, and overall winners of the event, were Antidisestablishementatianism for “Petri.”
Well done to everyone who took part.
Course Leader for Computer Games Development Lesley Morrison says:
“This intensive but fun experience is a great way for students to collaborate in a subject area they all have a passion for. To have so many people involved, not only from students and staff, but guests from the gaming industry and local businesses gives the event an extremely high level of credibility.