Global Game Jam is an annual event that originated as the Nordic Game Jam in 2006 and grew into a Global event in 2009. Each Game Jam location around the world gets briefed on the theme at 5pm local time on a Friday and they are challenged to brainstorm the concept, design the artwork, and develop a full game in 48 hours (sleep or no sleep). The event is growing in numbers and popularity every year, and it is now the largest game developer event in the world.
This year there were 242 game jams in 47 different countries, with a total of 10,684 teams around the world. The size of the turnout has caught the eye of the Guinness World Records who are reviewing the event to determine if it will qualify for a world record for their games edition this year.
Calgary ran its third annual jam on January 27 - 29 with a star power turnout of over 35 game designers and developers. Mount Royal University graciously hosted and promoted the event providing a great home away from home for the 48 hour marathon. The Calgary teams worked on 10 games for PC, iPad, iPhone, Xbox, and even one board game, while Global TV, Breakfast Television, Shaw TV and MRU TV video crews captured the action.
You can check out pictures from the Calgary event and you can also play the games yourself and help us celebrate our community at the Play The Games Party on March 6th at WoPizza in Inglewood.
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