Game creators from across the Lower Mainland are gathering at Douglas College’s New Westminster Campus this weekend for a free, three-day game jam event focused on sustainability and social impact.
The Grow UP! Game Jam series, led by partners in Vancouver’s game development industry, challenges participants to create “games for good” to support local non-profit organizations. Game jams are fast-paced, hackathon-style events where teams of programmers, designers and software engineers come together to create a playable game in just a few days. The theme for each Grow UP! event is kept secret until shortly before or at the start of the jam to keep the creative process spontaneous.
For this event, jammers will tackle the theme of “mending,” creating interactive experiences that showcase the work of Vancouver-based non-profit organizations dedicated to textile recycling and household item repair, Our Social Fabric and SPEC Repair Cafe.
“This event offers a fantastic opportunity for our students and the broader game development community to collaborate, learn and create with purpose,” said Dr. Brian Chapell, Dean of Science and Technology. “It’s inspiring to see local and industry talent come together to build games that contribute to meaningful causes.”
Douglas College Computing Science – Game Development and Music Technology – Audio Engineering students will also be taking part, giving them the opportunity to work side by side with industry mentors and peers from other disciplines.
“Game jams allow our students to learn not just the technical side of game creation, but also the teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills essential for successful careers in the industry,” said Dr. Shahriar Khosravi, Computing Science instructor. “Events like this show that games can be more than entertainment – they can educate, inspire and make a tangible difference in the community.”
Grow UP! Vancouver takes place Nov. 21–23 at Douglas College’s New Westminster Campus. The event is free and open to participants of all skill levels.
Douglas College is the largest college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca
Contact
Aline Bouwman
Communications Officer
bouwmana@douglascollege.ca