48 Hour Design Jam

About the Jam

The challenge: to design and build a playable video game in one weekend – from scratch.

The 48-Hour Design Jam brings together both first- and second-year students for a condensed weekend of brainstorming, pre-pro and game building. Working in teams of four or five, students are tasked with dreaming up a game idea based on a given theme, and with five to ten minutes of game content. After outlining a design plan, they then draw on their expertise and abilities to produce a functioning prototype.

During the session, students often contribute in ways that go beyond their given skills - in some cases, even learning completely unfamiliar software. The result: a collection of compact games both surprising and imaginative.

Feedback From the Jam

Faculty and representatives from the digital media industry also participate in the Jam as team mentors, and as judges in a final review of the games. Time and again, the creative talent of the students, and the rapid turn-around of the games impress. Here is some of the feedback from previous Game Jam judges:

I was impressed that the students not only made complete playable games in a mere 48 hours but that they had never used the tools before either! The event was well organised and had a great energy - it was a pleasure to be invited to be a judge.
Jake Birkett, Lead Programmer /Designer, Big Fish Games

Building a playable game in the short time allotted is impressive in it’s own right. However, the variances in mechanics and style displayed is even more remarkable, especially given the teams' lack of experience with the software used. Most significant, however, is their dedication to continue refining the games and complete the visions they developed at the Design Jam.
George Johnson, Faculty, Masters of Digital Media Program

To have an idea for something and actually finish it is one thing, but to accomplish it in 48 hours is extraordinary. Congratulations to the participants in demonstrating powerful and productive creativity while feeling the pressure of a 400kg deadline on their backs. Well done! Look forward to the next one!
Brian Vidovic, Designer, Radical Entertainment

I couldn't have hoped for a better group of inventive, committed individuals: Within the first few hours of the Jam, the students had already impressed me by the diversity of their ideas following a quick brainstorming session. By Saturday night, all four teams had a working prototype of their game - a considerable feat, for less than 24 hours of development! And each of the four teams delivered a working - nearly bug-free! - version of their game by the Sunday afternoon deadline. Congratulations to all the participants on a job well done. I look forward to seeing what you produce in the future.
Ashley Blacquiere, Design Jam Organizer, MDM Graduate (Class of 2009), Mission Designer, Radical Entertainment