It’s game time!

Manama 

The region's best game developers are competing against each other in GCC Game Jam competition that kicked off yesterday.

The three-day competition is being organised by Bahrain Polytechnic in collaboration with Red Stallion Interactive LLC and Bahrain Game Developers at Bahrain Polytechnic campus premises in Isa town.

The hard-core gamers also have the wonderful opportunity to win prizes worth BD 1900.

Explaining the concept of 'Game Jam', organisers said, "The principle is simple: Participants in the competition will work in teams. Each team has 2 to 4 young developers and designers, with a passion for games. They come with their computers and software. They are given a theme and they have 48 to 72 hours to develop a game, which needs to have a story line, graphics and, of course, the gameplay. "

Internationally acclaimed game development industry veterans Andy Pane and Georg Baker are among the jury panelists.

The theme for the competition is 'Hope', an Organising committee Member and Member of the Judging panel Rashed Mokhdad told DT News.

The organisers said the purpose of Game Jam is to identify and introduce new talents among the IT and design community in Bahrain, the GCC countries and Arab partner countries, and also allow participants acquire valuable experience in game software development.

The organisers said it is also ideal event for increasing public awareness and generating game development culture, bringing together game enthusiasts for entrepreneurial networking, and creating links between the industry and academia in the related field. 

“A Game Jam brings together game enthusiasts for entrepreneurial networking, and creates links between the industry and academia in the related field. It is also a great marketing event for organising Institutions and participating individuals,” the organisers stated.

Currently apart from national level, game jams are organized in different countries. 

The venue also consists of a game corner where public can play games using high-performance gaming PCs and consoles as well as Virtual Reality devices. 

The catering area will provide meals for participants. There is also a rest room for participants, the organisers added. 

Talking about the event, Mokhdad said,  "The quality of this tournament has improved a lot from the previous events. Last year we had it in a in a gym with a few tables and chairs. But, this year's venue is beautiful. The theme is also very interesting and inspiring for game developers.