The Royal Society is an historic council of fellows and foreign members which acts as the UK’s academy of science, funding research and publishing discoveries. It has long been a world leader in scientific innovation and study. In the 300 years since its founding, it has led the charge for enlightenment in the UK. And now, they’re recognising the value in videogames.
[drop2]As part of the build up to the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition, they’re looking for established game development studios to take part in a Game Jam. The Jam, taking place on May 24th, will be a 12 hour marathon to develop a game from each of five specially selected exhibits from the 23 that are to be shown in the Summer Exhibition.After the 10AM-10PM jam session, participating developers will be given £2,000 to further develop their game into something that can be shown at the Exhibition itself between the 1st and 7th of July. During the exhibition, and online through IndieCity.com, users will get the chance to experience the games themselves and vote on which they found most enjoyable. The winner of that vote will receive another £2,000 to develop their game even further after the Summer Science Exhibition closes.
Aside from the obvious fun involved in a Game Jam like this, it’s lovely to see such an esteemed institution recognise the value of videogames as a tool to make scientific discovery and engagement more interesting. We’ll keep an eye on developments and try to showcase some of the fruits of this endeavour.
You can find out more about it on the Royal Society’s website.
yiddo
I’ve just finished a Game Jam as part of my Games Development college course.
Ours was 48 hours spread over a few weeks though, in between areas like theory etc too, it just followed the same template as your typical Game Jam bar the time restraint.
It would be great to partake in one of these though!
Peter Chapman
I find this idea absolutely fascinating, I really hope it’s all well documented throughout the process.
Tuffcub
It’s 5 mins walk from me, I could go and have a nose if you like.
bunimomike
Hannypoppie was in a Game Jam recently and they won their “regionals” as it were. They were utterly chuffed to bits. Think it was either two or three days worth of insane hours.
Lovely to see them gaining more attention as fantastic concepts can come from such intense sessions.