Students from BA (Hons) Games Art u0026amp; Design and BSc (Hons) Games Development take part in the Global Game Jam 2023, where teams work together to build games from scratch in 48 hours.
The Global Game Jam is the world’s largest game creation event, with 33,665 people working from over 100 countries worldwide. Participants, or ‘jammers’, have 48 hours to design and produce a playable game in teams of up to 11 members. Students from BA Games Art and Design and BSc Games Development produced a grand total of 25 games between the participating teams.
Norwich University of the Arts has long been a supporter of the jam, and was a ‘jam site host’ this year. Participants were invited to use the University’s games development labs to create their games. This year Norwich had 95 jammers, the highest number of participants the University has ever seen. This made Norwich the 11th largest hub in the UK, and 71st in the world – an impressive ranking out of 786 jam sites globally.
The goal of the game jam is to stimulate innovation, experimentation, and collaboration across games design and production. It’s not a competition, and anyone in the world is welcome to sign up and take part. Each game jam encourages participants to explore new technology and development tools. Jammers often also try their hand at roles and skills they might not have experienced before. It’s an excellent opportunity for students to try their hand making something outside their course.
Verdant Still
Hardest Route Still
Ingrained Still
Images in order: Verdant, The Hardest Route, Ingrained
This year’s event kicked off on Friday afternoon with a message from Global Game Jam HQ and advice from leaders in the game development industry. Each year jammers are given a theme as a starting point, a closely guarded secret until the jam begins.
The theme for this year’s jam was ‘roots’ and saw Norwich’s jammers invent an incredible variety of games. The room was awash with games based around plants, but also more reflective interpretations focusing on memory and ancestry. The final games varied from 2D side-scrollers and tower defence games, to turn-based dice formats and first-person horror-puzzle titles. Naturally, there was also a good helping of cyborg investigators, head-butting orcs, earth-purifying worms, portal-travelling plants, and mysterious forest spirits. Not bad for a few days’ work!
Images in order: Four Door Plant War, BlackSmith, Vertex
“It was an outstanding jam. I was really impressed with the turnout and the interaction between our students, industry, and external jammers. Everyone put on an excellent show throughout, and it was awe inspiring to see the creations that the teams were putting out in 48 hours. The level of imagination, problem-solving and application within the students’ creative code shows the true power of passion and collaboration. I would like to personally thank everyone who took part and look forward to seeing them at next year’s jam. This year was an absolute privilege to be part of.”
Despite this year seeing a record number of jammers in Norwich, the target for next year is to hit over 100 jammers, so watch this space!
Take a look at the Norwich University of the Arts Global Game Jam games.
Research •
A groundbreaking new exhibition, Shape Shift: Reflections on Art in Mental Health Settings, created in partnership with Norwich University of the Arts, will open at The Fitzrovia Chapel on Thursday, 13 March 2025.
Read more about Shape Shift: Reflections on Art in Mental Health Settings
BA (Hons) Graphic Communication •
Cassie Muskett has been selected for the Chaos Design Bursary Award. She secured a two-week paid internship, along with a generous £800 bursary. We spoke to Cassie about her internship experience.
Read more about In conversation with Cassie Muskett, BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
Institution •
After dedicating his career to higher education in the creative arts, Professor Simon Ofield-Kerr, Vice Chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts, has announced his decision to retire in 12 months time.
Read more about Retirement Announcement: Professor Simon Ofield-Kerr
BA Animation and Visual Effects •
Staff and graduates’ work features in two-part special exploring the secrets of the Ice Age.
Read more about Norwich graduates’ work to premiere in new Channel 5 series Ice Age: Apocalypse
BA (Hons) Textile Design student shares her journey of incorporating AI into her creative process
Read more about Embracing AI in Textile Design: A journey of creativity and collaboration
Professor Hilary Carlisle recently took part in the ELIA Biennial Conference 2024 in Milan
Read more about Norwich joins global conversation on creativity at ELIA Biennial 2024
BA Games Art and Design •
Norwich University of the Arts students had another successful year at Sync The City 2024
Read more about Norwich University of the Arts Students Shine at Sync The City 2024
BA (Hons) Illustration •
Alice reflects on her recent residency at Moosey Art Gallery
Read more about In conversation with: Alice Lee, BA (Hons) Illustration lecturer
Alumni •
Two graduates have been named winners in Arts Thread Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024.
Read more about Norwich Graduates announced winners in Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024
BA Architecture •
The prestigious event will take place at our Duke Street Riverside and Duke Street buildings.
Read more about Norwich University of the Arts to Host AHRA 21st International Conference in 2024
Institution •
The conference centred on the theme "New Dimensions: Imagining Beyond Horizon"
Read more about Norwich University of the Arts Strengthens Global Ties at ICADE 2024
Norwich University of the Arts is excited to present Mechanism, a site-specific kinetic installation
Read more about Norwich University of the Arts Unveils ‘Mechanism’
BA (Hons) Animation •
Lucien talks to us about her practice, influences and advice for future students at Norwich.
Read more about In conversation with: Lucien Kelman, BA (Hons) Animation
BA (Hons) Graphic Communication •
Sam discusses what it's like to study BA (Hons) Graphic Communication at Norwich.
Read more about In conversation with: Sam Butler, BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
Institution •
We are delighted to announce a new partnership with the London School of Design and Marketing (LSDM)
BA (Hons) Architecture •
Tracey Lin talks to us about what it's like to study BA (Hons) Architecture at Norwich
Read more about In conversation with: Tracey Lin, BA (Hons) Architecture student