Beano Studios kicked off the inaugural InGAME Game Jam. Find out how InGAME academics and students got on ‘Thinking Kid’.
Game Jams are a fascinating way to tease out innovation in a short time frame. It is a gathering of artists, developers and engineers tasked with designing and developing a game prototype around a set theme. Beano Studios and its its cast of characters are part of the fabric of Dundee and are the perfect challenge setters. The studio has long embraced videogames as an art form and hosts a new web game every week.
Mike Stirling, Head of Beano Studios, set the us the challenge to ‘Think Kid!’ and develop a series of game prototypes based on their research into childhood trends.
With only 48 hours to complete their project, the quality of games on show was fantastic.
Game Jams don’t just encourage digital experiences, with controllers made from whoopee cushions and homemade slime providing memorable gameplay moments. There were also twists on classic video game formats. A co-op battle game based around making the best burger brough roars of laughter from the Beano team. A turn-based combat mechanic was employed to tackle the dreaded washing up.
We are thrilled that Beano Studios agreed to collaborate on our first Game Jam. They left with a wealth of potential ideas for further exploration and we learned how the mechanics of a Game Jam can drive innovation. Our team of researchers is continuing to shape the format to deliver exciting new opportunities for the Dundee game sector and beyond.
We will be running more game jams in the future, taking on challenges from the local games industry and beyond. If you’re interested in participating in a future game jam, or just want to know more about InGAME, get in touch with us.
