The NI Student Game Jam will take place from Monday 24th October at 9am to Wednesday 26th October at 12 noon. The NI Student Game Jam is aimed at students attending a Regional College or University within Northern Ireland who have a passion for making video games.

Teams will be given a theme to base their game idea around, with teams uploading their game to The Pixel Mill Itch.io page. The game genre/platform is down to the teams to decide. Teams can use existing code/assets they already have or create something new from scratch, we just want to see new ideas. Throughout the two days teams will have an opportunity to speak to industry professionals for advice.

The NI Student Game Jam will be held remotely, but teams will be able to access facilities at their cooperating College or University. After games have been submitted teams will have an opportunity to present their game to the rest of the teams.

We encourage students who have an interest in video game but have never made a game before to take part. Students can form teams before the start of the Game Jam. However, if you do not have a team and would like to take please let us know and we will try to connect you with other individual participants or other teams at your Regional College or University.

FAQ

Who can enter?
Students attending a Regional College or University in Northern Ireland. The participating Colleges and Universities are:

• Belfast Metropolitan College
• Northern Regional College
• Southern Regional College
• South-West Regional College
• Ulster University, Belfast

How can I enter?
One person from each team should register their team using this form: https://bit.ly/3dJoKfP

Please note teams’ size is 5 maximum

Once you have been registered, participating teams will be informed of their main point of contact at the College/University that they attend and where, if possible, they can gain access to PC equipment.

Zoom links for the start and end of the Game Jam will be sent to each of the teams prior to the start.

If you have yet to find a team, please contact rory@northernirelandscreen.co.uk and we will try to match you with others also looking a team, or connect you in with existing teams at your college or university.

What is the schedule?

Monday 24th October

• 9am – Kick-Off and theme reveal

Tuesday 25th October

• 10am – Check-ins

Wednesday 26th October

• 12noon – Games submitted to The Pixel Mill itch.io page
• 1pm – 3pm – Team presentations

What is the theme?
Theme will be revealed at 9am on Monday 24th October

What can I make my game in?
Anything. Project can be 2D or 3D. Work with what you are most comfortable using.

What assets can I use?
The game should be developed during the jam, but you may use pre-existing code and can use whatever art and audio assets you have the legal right to use.

When should I submit my game?
While the jam concludes at 12:00 BST, there will be an additional hour on the clock (until 13:00 BST) that is just for submitting your game. We recommend uploading something early, and updating as you go! Once this concludes, all submissions will be shut – with no opportunities for late submissions!

What do we need to present?
For teams that are comfortable presenting, they will have 5mins to talk through their idea. There is no need to create slides/presentation, teams can talk over gameplay or images of their game.

What type of games do you want made?
Any type of game but we enjoyment, creativity, and presentation.