Global Game Jam 2019
This January, come make games with our faculty, students, and friends! We’re excited to host a New York City Global Game Jam site for the 9th year in a row. Join NYC’s original jam site to make Brooklyn the best site in the world!
The Global Game Jam brings together game makers, musicians, artists, programmers, beginners, and veterans to make a game based on a shared world-wide theme in forty-eight hours. Join 280,000 other game makers from 93 countries around the world to make a game January 25-27!
People of all skill levels and experiences are welcome and encouraged to come jam!
Ideas that started simple at the NYU GGJ have grown into impressive, award-winning, released games! 2013 GGJ game Mushroom 11 was released on Steam, after being selected for an IGF nomination, IndieCade, and the PAX 10, among other festivals and awards. Nina Freeman and Emmett Butler’s 2014 GGJ game How do you do it? is out now, and was selected for IndieCade as well as nominated for an IGF. Not everyone makes a digital game; our site’s Best Overall Game of 2014 was a board game called Lucca, which went on to become an Official Selection at IndieCade 2014.
How it works:
On Friday at 6PM, we’ll kick things off with the official GGJ keynote videos and theme announcement (the same kick-off that happens all over the world!). Following the kick-off, everyone starts to brainstorm ideas, form teams, and make games. The weekend is casually structured, and you’re welcome to work at whatever pace you like, with whomever you like, using whatever you like.
Do I need to be a game making expert to jam?
No! The jam is a great place to learn some new skills. You can start with a non-digital game, join a team on Friday evening, or take advantage of the jam tools and teach yourself something new!
The Game Center site will be open:
Friday 6PM-12AM
Saturday 9AM-12AM
Sunday 10AM-7PM
Throughout the jam, you can come and go as you please.
Our amenities:
Tons of open workspace and whiteboards.
Free wifi & power.
Non-digital prototype materials.
Tons of food and coffee nearby!
What you’ll need to bring:
Any digital hardware you’d like to use to make a game
(laptop, chargers, controllers, etc.)
Presentations and awards:
On Sunday at 5PM, everyone exhibits their game for all attendees to play. A team of judges (comprised of NYU Game Center faculty and local indie developers) give out a few fun awards.
I can’t attend the whole weekend! Can I come play the games on Sunday?
Yes! The showcase on Sunday is open to everyone, and you are welcome to come play what everyone cranked out over the weekend!