Multimedia instructor Allyson Cikor works hard to make sure that the Global Game Jam Lethbridge is ready for all participants. Lethbridge College is expecting 15 – 20 participants this year.

Through the snow and cold days of January, the dim light of computer screens will soon illuminate the faces of gamers.

Global Game Jam has several locations around the globe, with Lethbridge College hosting the event again for the third year.

The event is being hosted at the end of the month in Lethbridge, in the virtual reality computer lab, that is located on the third floor of the technologies building.

Global Game Jam has been active for the past 11 years. Global Game Jam gives creators 48 hours to create a playable game, using a pitch given to them at the beginning.

Participants are offered the chance to sleep in the college, so they do not lose any valuable time they have while creating their program.

With no restriction on how much experience a creator must have, it can rookie developers working alongside others with years of experience.

People are given the option of either signing up with a team of people, or registering on their own in which they get placed on a team.

Allyson Cikor an instructor in the multimedia Production diploma program as well as the Virtual and Augmented Reality Certificate program, at Lethbridge College talked about how it is not about creating a fully functioning game but getting the chance to work creatively with a severe time crunch.

She talked about how showing what they can create can look good on resumes, showing a company what they are able to accomplish in a time crunch.

“For the returning students they start to build a relationship, so a lot of them that are graduating or interested in the industry have these connections,” said Cikor.

She also talked about how hosting an event like this can help Lethbridge gain a strong reputation in the developer and technology community around the world. 

The Global Game Jam works to help create a comfortable and safe space for developers to practice and hone their skill internationally.

As participants will have chances to interact with creators located all over the globe that are participating in the event.

In its first year, Global Game Jam saw over 1,500 participants in 23 countries, while last year had over 9,000 games created in 113 countries.

The event continues to grow each year and will continue to give developers a chance to start or develop their career.