In the final weekend in January 2018, over sixty video and tabletop game creators took over the REDI Innovation HUB, our adjacent offices, and training room for our 3rd COMO Game Jam. The participants ranged in age from 11- (60+) and worked in tight pods of 2–6 people that included artists, game developers, musicians, and tabletop creators.
The COMO Game Jam couldn’t be possible without Becca & Sean of Space Shark Studios. The indie game company recently showcased at Pixel Pop Festival in St. Louis:
“ Impressive displays of VR gameplay, such as Space Shark Studios’ “Auteur”, which demonstrated the future of immersive gaming experiences within a narrative of an over-produced, under-funded TV show.” — Victor Mendez ofeqstl.com
Our theme was decided by LunchBoxers — an app disguised as a game created by Sean of Space Shark Studios. Input your choices for a tough decision and then virtual avatars fight it out with the victor as your “choice”. This element of random chance and rooting for your favorite choice kicked us off to a great start:
Everyone looks pretty engaged as “Star” comes from behind to win against “Time”
Another big part of REDI's COMO Game Jam events that has been a welcome surprise is the deep well of talented tabletop creators in Mid-Missouri. Hybrid Vigor Studios is a HUB client and tabletop company that was formed out of our first Gamejam in 2017.
WHO?
Our attendees were people who really love playing games and can’t help but think they could make one as good or better than what they see in the market.
Computer Science students at Mizzou
Self-taught developers from traditional IT
Tabletop & Board-game nerds who play everything they can get their hands on Artists & Designers
Musicians
Physicists & Scientists
Sales reps with big ideas
Active duty and reserve military
All kids at heart.
Connect with fellow game creators on our community Discord
WHAT?
A community is built on good food, trust, and a sense of belonging. We create the atmosphere, provide the resources, and draw out the right people for this to happen organically as teams create a new game demo/level in 42 hours. Many teams work through the night or pair off in shifts to ensure they have something completed by Sunday afternoon. Our kick-off on Fridays is accompanied by Pizza Tree because its amazing and John is exactly the kind of goofy artist that can connect with our game-jam crowd. (inadvertently contributing to the winning tabletop game)
The rest of the weekend is yours to create a new team and playable demo of a game concept. Mentors like Sean will be on site to answer questions and help you manage a project to completion by the deadline Sunday. You’ll meet other attendees who will help you along the way by solving problems or confirming “yes that’s awesome”.
Read more about COMO Game Jam 3
*
