Global Game Jam Vancouver

Welcome to Global Game Jam Vancouver

January 24-26, 2025

In person at Douglas College, New Westminster, BC

Join our Discord Server here!

Running since 2010!

Register! See Sponsors About the Jam Volunteer! See Schedule

About

BC United Student Game Developers Association is a non-profit organization that brings aspiring game developers and game studios together. In the past, we hosted events such as @BCGameJam and @GGJVancouver. We are continuously growing, and looking for new opportunities to support the Vancouver game development community.

Global Game Jam Vancouver group photo

Jam with Global Game Jam!

Global Game Jam is a yearly event where game makers come together and make a game in a few days!

  • Come with a team or form a team with others!
  • Learn new skills!
  • Programmer: Learn a new engine or prototype quickly!
  • 2D artist: Refine your sketches a bit into video game art!
  • 3D artist: Learn how or refine your usage of 3D modelling software!
  • Sound: Create and edit sound effects!
  • Music: Compose quickly for video game music!
  • Writer: Quickly write dialog and stories for games!
  • Project Manager: Keep the team on track for the deadline and help solve teamwide problems!
Sign up on Eventbrite

Sponsor

Sponsor Global Game Jam!

  • Interact with our jammers!
  • Find talent for your company!
  • Showcase your products!
    • Find out more here! Sign up to sponsor!
     

    Platinum Sponsors

    Volunteer

    Volunteer for Global Game Jam!

  • Interact with our jammers!
  • Help organize before the jam!
  • Help our members with video game making problems!
    • Sign up to volunteer!

    2025 Schedule

    Friday,
    January 24th
    6:00pm Opening Ceremonies & Team Building
    8:00pm Dinner
    10:00pm Go home and rest!
    Saturday,
    January 25th
    10:00am Doors Open
    3:00pm Group Photo!
    5:00pm Dinner
    10:00pm Go home and rest!
    Sunday,
    January 26th
    8:00am Doors Open
    3:00pm Submission Deadline & Arcade Start!
    3:30pm Showcase Signup Deadline & Dinner
    7:00pm Closing Ceremony
    8:00pm Event Ends

    Frequently Asked Questions

    General

    What is Global Game Jam?

    Global Game Jam is a hackathon where game enthusiasts can collaborate, learn, and create a game based on a theme that has been given by the organizers.

    Where is Global Game Jam Vancouver?

    The event in person at Douglas College, New Westminster, BC

    Who is this event for?

    Anyone is welcome, regardless of experience. This is meant to be a fun event for anyone with any level of experience in game development. Even if you know very little about game development, you will learn a lot about it.

    Which roles can I do?

    You can be one of more of the following:
    • Programmer
    • 2D Artist
    • 3D Artist
    • Sound engineer
    • Music Composer
    • Writer
    • Project Manager

    Is there a minimum age limit?

    There is no minimum age limit. However, if you are under 18 years of age, there is a waiver that your guardian must sign.

    Can I work on an existing project?

    No. All participants must work on a project created during the game jam.

    Can I participate online?

    Yes, you can participate online. However, it will be up to you to coordinate finding a team that is working at the event.

    Logistics

    Can I stay overnight?

    No Douglas College closes at 10 pm. You will need to leave the premises and come back the next day.

    Will meals be provided?

    Only on Friday and Sunday night.

    What should I bring?

    Make sure you bring your ticket, a valid government or student ID (if you have a student ticket), and your jamming hardware. An extension cord is recommended in case you are sitting too far away from a power outlet. If you plan of presenting your game, you will need a video adapter to connect your computer to the display.

    Teams

    Do I need a team?

    Jams are usually done in teams, but it is up to you whether or not you'd like to work in one. If you do want a team but do not have one, you will have a chance at the event before the jamming starts to mingle with the rest of the attendees and make or join a team.

    Is there a maximum team size?

    There is not. However, bigger teams will need to dedicate more resources to team coordination and will need to be more organized in general.

    What if we don't have anyone working on audio and/or art for our team?

    For audio, the Tree of Audio team on-site to help everyone with SFX and audio. For art, the Pixel Route team on-site to help everyone with game art.

    What if I'm the audio engineer/interested to work on an audio engineer for this jam and I still don't have a team?

    You can either join the Tree of Audio and potentially work on multiple teams' audio or join a specific team and focus on the audio for that team.

    What if I'm the artist/interested to work as an artist for this jam and I don't have a team?

    You can either join Pixel Route and potentially work on multiple teams' art or join a specific team and focus on the art for that team.

    Contact us

    Reach out to us below, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Email us!