“It’s like a hackathon but focused on game development,” said Lee Stemkoski, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics and computer science, who organized the event for Adelphi.
Adelphi student Bruno Higaglo shows off his completed game, “Miruhulee’s Ritual.”
For 48 hours—from Friday, January 29, 2016 to Sunday, January 31, 2016—25 Adelphi students from a variety of disciplines participated in Adelphi’s first Global Game Jam event. Global Game Jam ® brings together students and professionals from more than 90 countries to design and build video games around a particular theme. (This year’s theme was ritual.) “It’s like a hackathon but focused on game development,” said Lee Stemkoski, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics and computer science, who organized the event for Adelphi. Working either in groups or individually, the Adelphi students created five new games, which were uploaded to the Adelphi page on the Global Game Jam ® website.
The event, which took place in the Gallagher Lab of Adelphi’s Swirbul Library, underscored the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of game design. The Adelphi students drew on their various skills and educational backgrounds to establish the music, artwork, story and programming elements of each game. “The great thing about game development is that it’s very motivating; you can create a project that everybody is interested in, and it draws from a variety of skills,” Dr. Stemkoski said.
Beyond enhancing game-design skills, the event created a sense of community among the participants. “I loved being here and working here; I made some new friends,” said Bruno Higaglo, a computer science major and international student. “Everyone was helpful and it was a great event.”
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director
p – 516.237.8634
e – twilson@adelphi.edu