Global Game Developers Jammed for 48 hours

Nearly 160 game developers jammed 48 hours during the last weekend in Copenhagen at the Nordic Game Jam. The first Game Jam was arranged at IT University in Copenhagen in 2006. This year IGDAs Education Special Interest Group got inspired by the event and machinated Global Game Jam network. Over 50 locations accepted the challenge. This year’s theme was “As Long as we have each other we never run out of problems”. Additionally each location had additional constraints. The constraint for Nordic Game Jam was that the games should be language independent. Copenhagen had the biggest Game Jam with nearly 160 participants. People competed in two categories: Bring from Home and Global Game Jam. At the Bring from Home it was ok to bring a game that was 99% finished as long as they work develop, improve or polish the game during the weekend. The theme for the Bring from Home track was humor. Participants of the Global Game Jam track could just show up with or without a team. The event would start with a brainstorm and group creation session.

The biggest winner of Nordic Game Jam was Make my Head Grow (Denmark). It won best audio, best visuals, innovative controls, audience award at the jury’s award. At the Global Game Jam track In One Piece puzzle game won the audience award and Sheeped Away got the jury’s award. Petri Purho (Kloonigames) won the most innovative game title with his 4min33sec which was a tribute to John Cage’s avant garde piece 4´33” from the 1950s. 0 - - 0 had the best audio at the Global Game Jam track and Chopper + tank = bees won for the best visuals.