Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID is working with Staffordshire University to bring a digital games event to the City Centre this summer.
Stoke ON TREND GamesJam 2021 will see hundreds of aspiring games programmers and developers - or Jammers - come together to create playable games, each based around a key City Centre theme.
In the week-long development stage of the competition, students aged 16 and over are invited to collaborate and participate in the process of game development including programming, design, narrative exploration and artistic expression.
Commencing on 29 May, teams of up to four will be given just seven days to create a game which is aligned to one of eight themes which will remain top secret until the Jam starts.
Once the games have been developed, they will be made available to play on smartphones via QR codes located in the City Centre locations between 19 June and 11 July.
The winning team – with the highest rating - will then have the opportunity to work in Staffordshire University’s specialist games facilities for six weeks over the summer and turn their Stoke ON TREND GamesJam game into a commercially releasable game.
Associate Professor Dr Bobbie Fletcher commented: “GamesJams are an established part of the games industry internationally and are rising in popularity every year with tens of thousands of Jammers getting involved.
"I am so excited to be working alongside the BID to create this incredible opportunity to really put our city on the map as the go-to destination for aspiring games designer, artists and programmers. Staffordshire University has approximately 2,000 games students and aims to be the catalyst for Stoke-on-Trent to become the centre for Games and Esports in the UK and recognised for its excellence internationally."
"I look forward to the high calibre games that I know will be created by our students and other Jammers from across the country.”
Laura Morris, BID Director for the Entertainment Sector added: "The Stoke ON TREND GamesJam 2021 hopes to bring a refreshed new audience to our City Centre; keen to explore its offering in a unique, digital way. The involvement from our BID Businesses will be key to making the GamesJam a success by increasing the dwell time of our visitors."
There will be a number of additional ‘surprise’ QR codes located in various spots around the City Centre that will allow visitors to access discounts and freebies at a number of venues. COVID-permitting, the BID will also be hosting live music from local DJs to add to the atmosphere.
Jonathan Gullis, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, said: “This innovative initiative that I am whole-heartedly backing, builds on Staffordshire University’s fantastic reputation for digital technology, and seeks to enhance the City Centre as a place that young people will want to come to and use.”
Dr Richard Wilson OBE, TIGA CEO, said: “It is great to see Stoke-on-Trent working with Staffordshire University on the city’s new GamesJam. Stoke-on-Trent is working hard to create an environment favourable to the creation and growth of digital businesses, while Staffordshire University provides some excellent video games degree courses. I hope that this games jam is not only great fun but also serves to highlight the potential of the UK video games industry.”
Student games developers can register their interest here. Please note that GamesJam entrants must be aged 16 and over, and a student at school, college or a university.