SASKATOON — Over 200 participants came together to make original board games and computer games within 48 hours during the Saskatoon Game Jam.
The event funded and run by SaskInteractive was hosted this past fall by Saskatchewan Polytechnic in collaboration with Foolish Mortals Games, an independent video game studio in Saskatoon. The studio’s CEO Michael Long came up with the theme “Bring the Heat.”
A total of 51 worlds were created during the Saskatoon Game Jam challenge, allowing gamers to put out fires, escape sunlight, travel across landscapes, battle a dragon, heal patients and cook in a busy restaurant, among others.
Saskatoon Game Jam was open to the public. Participants included members of the gaming community, industry, faculty, second-year Computer Systems Technology (CST) students and Sask. Polytech alumni. The challenge took place in Sask. Polytech’s CST program computer lab and classroom.
“We were happy to host. Being involved gives us the chance to showcase our capabilities to host high-tech events and helps to get the word out on our programs by letting prospective students see our labs,” says Gavin Osborne, academic chair of the Faculty of Digital Innovation, Arts and Sciences.
Under a tight deadline, participants were challenged to design and build either a board game or a video game from the ground up. This hands-on experience highlighted the diverse programs offered at Sask. Polytech, bringing together skills in graphic design and interactive programming.
Second-year CST student Sean Fortosky was pleased to participate in his first game jam.
“I’ve played a lot of different video games over the years,” he says. “I was excited for the opportunity to learn more about all the things that go into making a game. I was also eager to apply the programming skills I’ve acquired through Sask. Polytech.”
Game creators worked through a brainstorming phase to come up with the concept, a design phase to build the framing and prepare the game’s look and a work phase to ensure they had a playable game by the deadline. The challenge invited participants to work on skills in a way that imitates life in a game studio.
“Some of the skills participants honed during the event were their use of graphic design tools and the game engine, technical skills, teamwork, communication, collaboration, compromise and task allocation,” says Osborne.
Coralee Kaban, CST program head, says students had a chance to work on several skills.
“The event was important for students to network with the gaming and technology communities” she says. “Students learned a lot in a short amount of time. Some of the games required the creators to pivot during development. Seeing participants rise to that challenge in such a short time was interesting.”
Several participants attended the Saskatoon Game Jam without knowing anyone. Social activities helped participants break the ice with teammates. They also had the opportunity to learn from an expert during a presentation by a developer who worked on Halo, a popular science fiction video game.
“I was impressed with how quickly the students established a sense of camaraderie. They really gelled and encouraged each other,” says Kaban.
Adds Osborne, “I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of participants. We saw a great interest in the community, which reinforces the value of growing the gaming design community in the province.”
Fortosky is grateful for the lessons he took away from the event.
“I learned how important it is to just get started. Working on one small chunk at a time makes big projects feel more approachable,” he says. “This experience pushed m towards pursuing more personal projects because it’s made the process feel less intimidating and has made an end product feel more attainable.”
In addition to gaining experience, participants vied to win one of 10 awards selected by a panel of judges.
With the success of the event on campus, organizers look forward to returning next year and making it an annual event.
“This wouldn't have been possible without the great venue provided by Sask. Polytech. The large classrooms provided lots of space, the lab computers worked well and the faculty were very helpful. It was great seeing such a wide range of people meet and work together. We look forward to returning to Sask. Polytech in the future,” says Long.
The Saskatoon Game Jam computer games are available to play online. Winter session registration opens December 11 for the next event on Jan. 30.
The Computer Systems Technology program prepares graduates to work in a variety of careers including programming, software design, mobile application programming, data communications and web design. Learn more about the CST program.
The Graphic Communications program prepares students for careers as designers to effectively communicate ideas, information, products and services. Learn more about the Graphic Communications program.
— Submitted by Sask. Polytech Media Relations
