Unleashing creative talent with Game Jam

Unleashing creative talent with Game Jam

Recently, RMIT Vietnam hosted its inaugural Game Jam competition at its Saigon South campus, challenging participants to create their own games within 48 hours.

The Game Jam is a creative competition that motivates students to test their skills in designing digital and board games under time constraints.

Dr Renusha Athugala, Program Manager of the Game Design program at RMIT Vietnam, said: “We wanted to introduce our students to the experience of participating in game jams, providing them with an opportunity for friendly competition within a limited timeframe while encouraging teamwork and hands-on learning.”  

RMIT Lecturer in Game Design Dr Agnieszka Kiejziewicz described this year's theme: “‘Blue hour’ as an initial point encouraged participants to reflect on the world around them, capturing the magical atmosphere between night and sunset.”

Seventeen teams, made up of 40 contestants, delivered amazing results.    

RMIT Game Jam challenged participants to develop their own games within 48 hours. RMIT Game Jam challenged participants to develop their own games within 48 hours.

In the first edition of RMIT Game Jam, the 0xong0ze team, including Pham Nguyen Ngoc Linh and Nguyen Tran Anh Thi, reached the top spot in the competition.

Their game, titled The Gathering, depicts a bustling day of resource collection and movement. As the blue hour approaches, players come together to complete the tasks assigned at the start of the day.

According to them, the blue hour is a fleeting yet often the most beautiful and peaceful moment of the day. Therefore, they aimed to highlight this time as a well-deserved reward after a busy and tiring day, when everyone can complete their tasks and enjoy time with their loved ones and family.

The game includes both common and individual tasks, allowing players to share responsibilities with the community or family while also addressing personal needs.  

“This way, after a challenging day, whether united or in disagreement, everyone can set aside their differences, come together, and celebrate their accomplishments,” Thi explained.

Game Jam boosted RMIT students' creativity and friendly competition. Associate Professor Donna Cleveland, Interim Dean of School of Communication & Design, RMIT Vietnam said: “Game Jam is not just about creating games; it is about fostering innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are essential skills for our students’ future careers.” 

Competitions like this provide students with invaluable opportunities to apply their skills in real-world scenarios, collaborate with peers, and push the boundaries of their creativity. They are also able to connect with industry professionals, receive valuable feedback, and showcase their talents on a broader stage.

“We are proud of our students for stepping up to the challenge and are excited to see the incredible ideas they will bring to life”, said Associate Professor Cleveland. 

Sharing similar observations, Linh said: “During our time at RMIT, we gained a solid foundation in teamwork, time management, and creative problem solving, all of which were key to our success in the 48-hour game jam.

From left to right: Associate Professor Donna Cleveland, the 0xong0ze team (Nguyen Tran Anh Thi, Pham Nguyen Ngoc Linh), Dr Renusha Athugala From left to right: Associate Professor Donna Cleveland, the 0xong0ze team (Nguyen Tran Anh Thi, Pham Nguyen Ngoc Linh), Dr Renusha Athugala

“One of the major challenges was coming up with an idea to fit the theme and align with the vision of both team members,” the winner added.

To overcome this, the 0xong0ze team brainstormed and refined their concepts until they developed one that they were excited about. 

Another challenge was creating a unique style to make their game stand out. 

The secret to their success was designing distinctive visual elements and interactive materials to enhance the player experience.  

“We divided the workload and set smaller deadlines to stay on track, ensuring we tested every aspect of the game to avoid bugs,” said Thi.

Linh added that given the tight time constraints, taking short breaks was essential to maintain sharpness and creativity. Constant communication was also crucial for sustaining their energy and focus throughout the competition.

RMIT Game Jam 2024 welcomed judges from the University’s Game Design program, as well as representatives from Ngu Hanh Game and Gameloft. RMIT Game Jam 2024 welcomed judges from the University’s Game Design program, as well as representatives from Ngu Hanh Game and Gameloft.

The event's external collaborative partners included Maztermind, Ngu Hanh Games, and Gameloft. Alongside RMIT’s Game Design team, the competition also welcomed Mr Nguyen Thien Toan, Co-Founder of Ngu Hanh Games, and Mr Nguyen Phu Hong Phuc, Head of Game Design, Saigon Studio at Gameloft Vietnam, as judges. 

As one of the judges for RMIT's inaugural Game Jam, Mr Toan said: “The winning team provided us with an exquisite gaming experience – the quality of the game and the idea itself deserved the first prize. 

“As well, the team’s dedication, meticulous details of the games, and creative ideas impressed the judges. 

“The jammers not only demonstrated exceptional designs, technical skills, and narrative solutions but also showcased remarkable persistence and team spirit.” 

Story: June Pham

30 September 2024

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