According to a survey conducted by the International Game Developers Association, Black people hold only 5% of jobs within the gaming industry. Spelman College is introducing HBCU students to game design and development with its second annual HBCU Game Jam. 

The HBCU Game Jam will be held from 10 a.m. April 6 to 12 p.m. April 7, 2024, at the Robert W. Woodruff Library in the Atlanta University Center, in collaboration with Zynga, Unity, Microsoft, Barclays, and CodeHouse. HBCU students from across the nation are invited for a weekend full of gaming, coding, and prizes. 

During the weekend hackathon, students will engage in 24 hours of rapid, collaborative game design and implementation. The students will compete in groups to build their own video games and win industry sponsored prizes. The competition is a beginner friendly way to introduce HBCU students to game development and design.

Schedule:

Saturday, April 6, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m. –

The Hackathon Begins! Students will spend 24 hours in the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library building their video games. There will be workshops, entertainment, and time for each team to begin designing their video games.

Sunday, April 7, 2024, until 12 p.m. --

The Hackathon continues into Sunday morning. Students will begin preparing for the Game Jam Expo, where each team will present their video games to the judges for a chance to win prizes at the closing ceremony. 

WHO:  

HBCU students regardless of class or major are invited to compete.

WHEN: 

Date and Time: 10 a.m. ET April 6 – 12 p.m. ET April 7

WHERE:

Robert W. Woodruff Library in the Atlanta University Center

111 James P Brawley Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314