NZ excels in Global Game Jam

Dunedin and Hamilton were the first New Zealand cities to join the international race to create games for the first annual Global Game Jam (globalgamejam.com). Jan Birkeland checked out some of the fast-paced action.

Organised in 53 locations in 23 countries, the easiest way to describe how the Global Game Jam works is to liken it to NZ's own annual 48-hour filmmaking festival.

Those taking part have 48 hours to develop a short game from scratch, incorporating themes given out on the day. This year the theme was "As long as we have each other we will never run out of problems", and the teams also had to incorporate one of the following adjectives: blank, cold or modern.

The event was organised by the US-based Global Game Developers Organisation and attracted more than 1600 participants who created over 300 games. The event focused on developers collaborating and creating something great rather than on competition, but individual winners were voted on by peers at some of the locations.

At the Hamilton event, held at the University of Waikato, the game Poultry Temperature Manager took out the top prize. Local organiser and Waikato computer science lecturer Bill Rogers said the main idea behind the Global Game Jam was to get together to share ideas and have fun - and, perhaps, along the way come up with some novel game ideas. He also said the Game Jam is a great opportunity for would-be game developers to showcase their talent.

"The game industry is one where what you've done is more important than your qualifications. Employers want evidence that people have done something, shown some energy and seen a project through. So you do well at the Game Jam you'll end up with something on a global game developer's site - and you'll be noticed."

The Dunedin event, which attracted about 15 participants, finished three games in the 48 hours, with organiser and Straylight Studios CEO Tim Nixon taking a different approach.

"We closed the computer lab from midnight to eight in the morning so that we could work smarter instead of harder. I think this gave us better results overall. Even though you lose 16 hours you use that to plan and get perspective on what you're doing. In the end, everyone surprised both each other and themselves."

Instead of choosing a favourite, Nixon said the Dunedin event was about
collaboration and gaining experience; all three teams helped each other at different times in the development process.

"Next year I'd like to see a central event in New Zealand, perhaps in Wellington, where game developers from around the country can meet and create something great," said Nixon.

"I think New Zealand can blow the socks off the international gaming community with what we can achieve here."

THE GAMES

The quality of the games that emerged from the New Zealand teams in the Global Game Jam is absolutely stunning. In just 48 hours, small teams managed to produce full games, based on brilliant ideas and excellent design. Having played all the New Zealand entries, I thoroughly recommend you check them out on the Global Game Jam website, where you can sort the NZ games from the rest of the world: globalgamejam.org/Game_browser. Here's a selection of the NZ games.

Poultry Temperature Manager

Global warming is a problem for us, but the world in Poultry Temperature Manager is undergoing an ice age! Players must lead an army of chickens to huddle together or stray away from each other to avoid freezing to death or catching on fire, while generating enough heat to save the planet in the process.

SnowLemmings

Roll full steam ahead down the snowy mountain, saving your snow lemming friends while avoiding obstacles and preparing for the big final jump to safety!

Canyon Chums

Help two climbers get out of a canyon before it crushes them. Both are tethered to the same rope and cooperation is key here.

TerrAqua

Drag clouds around to create rain to water the ground, and to filter the sun to promote growth. Turn a weathered, barren planet into an oasis of green and blue.