Game jams are events where you + your team create an original game within a specific time period. The CWG Game Jam is for CWG Verified Members and Mentorship Program Mentees only, and is designed as a low-pressure way to develop a game. The jam will take place on the first weekend of spring break, starting Saturday, March 19 at 2 PM PT, and ending on Tuesday, March 22 at 11 AM PT .

This is open to people with any amount of game development experience, and it’s totally fine if this is your first time making a game; we’ll be providing resources to help you get started. There will be no ranking of games, and each team will have an assigned Mentor to help out with opinions/advice, so this is a great time to try out a new skill + explore!

CWG board will put you on a team of up to 4 students based on skills + expectations.

Each team will be given a Mentor -- a professional from the CWG mentorship program -- to check in with twice over the jam period, so they can help with your work. Some of our Mentors will also be hosting game development workshops during the jam; these are open to anyone in the server, even if you’re not participating in the jam itself!

CWG Game Jam Schedule (All Times in PST)

Saturday 3/19, 2 - 2:30 PM: Game Jam Kickoff! Meet your team and optional theme announcement (optional but highly recommended) 

Saturday 3/19, 2:30-3:30 PM: Game Jams Essentials & Starter Pack: Teamwork, Tools, and Scope - Hosted by Alisa Khieu (CWG Mentor, Developer Relations Manager @ Omni Creator Products) A quick crash course on how to navigate your first game jam! 

Saturday 3/19, 4:00-5:00 PM: Accessibility Minded Game Design - Hosted by Elaine Gomez (Game Designer @ Brass Lion Entertainment) How to design a game that everyone can play! 

!! Saturday 3/19, 6:00-8:00 PM: Mentor Check-In #1 [MANDATORY] !!  
Mandatory check in with your mentor, ask some questions & get help with starting out!
Mentor Check-in times:
6:00-7:00 PM: Elaine Alisa David Joe
7:00-8:00 PM: Jessie
Flexible: Melissa Helen 

Sunday 3/20, 11:00-12:00 PM: Graphics Programming - Hosted by Linden Reid (Freelance Software Engineer) Come learn more about intro to graphics programming!

Sunday 3/20, 1:00-3:00 PM: Office Hours - Hosted by Jessie Yang (CWG Mentor, Software Engineer @ Blizzard Entertainment) Come and get help with your game with an industry professional!

!! Sunday 3/20, 3:00-8:00 PM: Mentor Check-In #2 [MANDATORY] !!
Meet your team and optional theme announcement (optional but highly recommended)
Mentor Check-in times:
3:00-4:00 PM: Elaine
5:00-6:00 PM: Alisa David
6:00-7:00 PM: Joe
7:00-8:00 PM: Jessie
Flexible between 5:00-8:00 PM: Melissa Helen 

Monday 3/21, 4:30-3:30 PM: Game Design: From the Jam to Beyond - Hosted by Joe Magdalena (CWG Mentor, Game Designer @ Niantic) Come and learn what you should do after you're finished with the Jam! 

Monday 3/21: Office Hours Come and get help with your game with an industry professional!
10:00 AM-1:00 PM: Jeremy Ernst (CWG Mentor, Director, Technical Art @ Riot Games)
1:00-4:00 PM: David Bocek (Senior Game Designer @ Gravity Well)
7:00-9:00 PM: Helen Yang (CWG Mentor, Audio Programmer @ Epic Games) 

Tuesday 3/22, 10:00-11:00 AM: Office Hours - Hosted by Melissa Mok (CWG Mentor, Creator Program & Live Ops Manager @ Ubisoft) Come get help with your game with an industry professional! 

!! Tuesday 3/22, 11:00 AM: Game Submissions Due [MANDATORY] !! Time to submit your games! Feel free to ask for help in game-jam-help

Tuesday 3/22, 12 PM: Game Showcase The CWG Game Jam is now over & it's time to show off your wonderful games! Raffle at the end for all CWG Member participants who completed a game!