This weekend, game developers from around Orlando are invited to gather at The DAVE School to participate in Global Game Jam. This annual event encourages programmers, artists, and designers to build a video game from scratch in a compressed, forty-eight-hour format.
Since 2009, Global Game Jam has generated thousands of games around the world, each one inspired by a unique theme announced by the organizers just prior to the start of the event. Ninety-three countries have registered jammers in over 630 sites, and an estimated 30,000 individuals have participated altogether.
In the past few years, Orlando has emerged as one of the leading assemblies of game developers for Global Game Jam. According to event organizer Kunal Patel, Orlando was the sixth largest meetup spot in the world last year, surpassed only by groups representing entire countries. This year, the event is expected to draw over one hundred dedicated jammers.
Those hardworking game makers will enjoy the unique features of The DAVE School, including a green screen, audio recording studio, and 3D printing lab. Students from the school’s Visual Effects and Game Production programs will be on hand, generating assets for Global Game Jam teams.
The DAVE School’s Academic Director Angel Gonzalez is excited about the event. “Because of the compressed nature of game jams, there’s a lot of pressure to work quickly, and that’s part of the fun. Not every project turns out exactly as intended, but it’s more about the experience than it is about the end product.”
Those interested in attending Global Game Jam in Orlando may visit http://www.orlandogamejam.com. Tickets are on sale now, and registration includes food and parking.
About The DAVE School
The DAVE School was founded on June 8, 2000 by two Industry executives looking to create #CareerReady artists with a practical animation school. Today, The DAVE School offers specialized training in Visual Effects and Game Production with extensive practice under industry level supervision.
Located on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida® in Orlando, The DAVE School has an 18,000 square foot facility that includes learning and interactive labs, a dedicated Virtual and Real-Time production stage, a Vicon motion capture system, 3D printing and VR/AR labs and secure student access 7 days a week.
The DAVE School is an academic unit of NUC University (NUC), which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) www.msche.org. NUC’s NUC University – IBC Technical Division (NU-IBC), Florida Technical College (FTC), and The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School (The DAVE School) are included in this accreditation. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).