Description

The Global Game Jam (GGJ) is a unique free event held worldwide among game creators. Participants come together and work to develop original and innovative experimental video games based on a secret theme.

Timeline: 
Friday, Jan. 26: Kickoff Friday evening at 6 p.m. 
Saturday, Jan. 27: Coworking space available for from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Sunday, Jan. 28: Final showcase at 6:30 p.m. 

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Special Workshops
In partnership with The Workshop, there will be two workshops offered for beginner game designers. You are welcome to attend both.

Bitsy for Beginners: Video Game Workshop
Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, 5 - 6 p.m.
Format: Hybrid (In-Person & Online)
Location: James Branch Cabell Library, Room 203 OR Zoom
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Dive into the world of video game creation with this hands-on workshop facilitated by digital media artist and game developer, Tamara Duplantis. This beginner-friendly session is tailored for aspiring game designers eager to explore the fundamentals of narrative game design with Bitsy, a free, web-based and user-friendly gaming engine. Whether you are a complete novice in game design or looking to brush up on your skills, this workshop is the perfect starting point. This Bitsy guide is a resource developed by The Workshop to help you get started as well. 
 
No prior experience in game design is required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops. This workshop is in partnership with the Game Creators Coalition and a part of the Global Game Jam 2024 event. 

Intro to Virtual World Building in Unity
Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, 10 a.m.-noon
Format: Online
Location: Zoom
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This workshop guides participants through designing a virtual environment in Unity, a popular real-time gaming engine. Participants will learn terrain-building tools and navigating first-person controllers. No coding experience necessary. This series follows the steps in this guide: Hello, AnOtherWorld! (Unity Guide).

This event is a partnership between The Workshop, VCUarts Communication Arts Department, RVA Games, and the Game Creators Coalition. 

For special accommodations, or to register offline, please contact Ryan Pander, event manager, rbpander@vcu.edu or 804-828-0593.