“Green Bay will again host a site for the international Global Game Jam from 5 p.m. Jan. 30 to 5 p.m., Feb. 1. In this annual event, developers and enthusiasts of all skill levels collaborate to make original games over 48 hours.
Currently, Green Bay is the second largest site in the United States (behind NYU) with more than 30 registered participants. Registration remains open.
Organizing his eighth GGJ event, E-Line Media Principal Engineer and UW-Green Bay Professor Ben Geisler brings veteran game developer experience to each event.
‘I work with a team of game developers of all disciplines: art, programming, audio, design, writing,’ he said. ‘So much of what we do is captured in these game jams. It’s here that we learn how to work with people with diverse approaches and perspectives.’
UW-Green Bay alumnus Josh Wilger (Computer Science, 2022) credits game jams with helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world game development. For Wilger, the most rewarding part of the experience is ‘the intensity and collaboration between game developers and hobbyists with the same passion for enjoying and collaborating through games.’ He said that while many participants arrive with friends or classmates from UW-Green Bay, the jam also creates natural opportunities to expand professional networks.
‘If you have a group of gaming friends, bring them along for a weekend of intense fun and come out of the event with your very own game and new game development skills,’ Wilger said.
Hosting the event will be the Greater Green Bay Chamber and The Urban Hub in downtown Green Bay, a coworking and programming space for creative entrepreneurs.
Sponsoring this year’s Global Game Jam is the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Center for Games and Interactive Media. CGIM Co-director Jaye Case is looking forward to seeing the games students create.