The University’s School of Computer Science & Technology hosted a site for the Global Game Jam, which saw students, staff and alumni compete against 20,000 jammers in over 80 countries to create the games.

The students, who study courses in Computer Games Development, Interactive Digital Technologies and Computer Animation & Visual Effects, worked tirelessly in the University’s specialist creative technologies labs for two days creating games based on the theme of waves.

Jammer David Fletcher, a Bedfordshire graduate who studied Computer Games Development and now works with Microsoft HoloLens, said: “The Game Jam is a brilliant event to be involved with. I’ve attended every Jam at the University from the beginning, and every year the team go from strength to strength in making it a success.”

Lecturer in Computer Science & Technologies Dr Marcia Gibson said: “The Game Jam is such a wonderful event for students to come together with teaching staff and alumni to try out new things in a fun, supportive and creative environment and to enhance their portfolios and CVs.

“One of the best parts about being involved in the Jam is seeing the quality of work produced by our alumni, who year-on-year show how their skills continue to develop as their careers progress. A number of the games made this year were of a professional standard and I hope the teams will find the time to develop them into full titles.”

The University was sponsored by Luton-based creative consultancy Sodalite Creative and Domino’s Pizza.

Creative Director at Sodalite Carolyn Harlow said: “I was impressed with what had been produced over the course of the weekend, some good ideas, well executed, with plenty of humour, which was refreshing considering most games seem to involve guns and zombies.”

• For further information on future Global Game Jams hosted at the University, please contact the Press Office.
• For information about creative technology courses offered by the School of Computing & Technology, please contact Jim Woods at jim.wood@beds.ac.uk
• Follow the School of Computing & Technology on Twitter: @UoBCST