Ukie Student Game Jam gets underway

The Ukie student game jam kicks off today with over 21 universities taking part in the challenge.

For the next 48 hours (May 17-19th), students from across the UK are tasked with making a game with the theme of ’empowerment’. This years competition is the fourth consecutive student game jam with last years winners, Brunel University returning to compete for prizes like free EGX passes, Insert Coin and EA merchandise.

Sponsored by Criterion, Unity and Gram Games, the event hopes to increase student’s learnings outside of class and give ‘tangible game making experience’ to the students and as build links between the educational establishments and games industry.

"The Jam gives the emerging generation of talent the opportunity to test their skills, challenge their creativity, and build valuable relationships with the industry," said Ukie CEO, Dr Jo Twist. "Our Student Membership programme, which represents over 2,000 students across the UK, goes from strength to strength and the more experience they get in making games with expert guidance from industry professionals, the better. We look forward to playing the games.”

Gram Games’ culutural developer, Erin O’Brein also added, "we strongly believe the importance of introducing subjects like games, science, and technology to young gamers at an educational level. Education is where gender biases can form, and we, as an industry, need to make sure that students have access to the right resources.

"Ukie’s Student Game Jam is a brilliant example of providing an outlet for young gamers to flex their creativity and learn on the job. Personally, I’m excited to see how the students respond to the themed brief."

In addition to the best game, the best mentors will be nominated by their teams for the ‘Mentor of the Universe’ trophy. There is also Jam’s Accessibility Award, judged by accessibility specialist Ian Hamilton. The Accessibility Award winners will be given a tour of the Creative Assembly studio and lunch with the members of the Creative Assembly team.