OC’s Gaming and Animation program once again competed in the Global Game Jam

Global Game Jam 2025 is a worldwide event for students to challenge themselves to create original video games from scratch in one week Jan. 20-26.

Each winter, Global Game Jam is one of the video game industry’s most-anticipated events for students and aspiring game designers. For nearly 10 years, Oklahoma Christian University’s Gaming and Animation students have taken great pride in participating. Global Game Jam is the world's largest game-creation event, hosting tens of thousands of students and professionals at various physical and virtual sites in over 100 countries around the globe. 

Taking place Jan. 20-26, this year’s theme was “bubble,” which provided quite a creative challenge for OC students. Assistant Professor of Gaming and Animation Jacob Touchstone was impressed with how students developed game ideas that aligned with such a broad theme.

What challenges were faced by the students?

“So much to do with so little time. Quite a few who have participated in the Global Game Jam can attest that there is never enough time,” he said.  “Their games either are too large in scope and they can't get everything they wanted in or they don't have enough time to playtest and fix bugs and glitches within the game. Either way, it highlights a valuable skill all students need to develop and that is effective time management. In the end, we got to play their games in whatever state they finished them in and still had a great time.”

How different was it from past years with it being longer than the regular 48h weekend?

“This time we went ahead and settled on a 72h Jam, which seems to be the perfect number to allow students to focus on their classes and have the ability to effectively participate with their teams in the Jam. Students do what students do and in the past they have pulled long nights working and dedicated quite a bit of time to the Jam, which I commend them for their dedication, but myself and the student chapter leadership of our IGDA wanted to make sure they didn't feel like they needed to work that hard. We wanted to ensure they looked after themselves and got plenty of sleep and stayed on top of their other responsibilities so we allotted an additional 24 hours for the event.”

Besides Professor Touchstone, Gaming and Animation student Samuel Swetnam, an aspiring video game programmer, felt challenged and fulfilled by Sunday afternoon, having started Friday evening. He’s been participating in the Global Game Jam for the past four years, three of those as team captain.

What would you say is the best thing about Global Game Jam?

“The best part of global game jam is definitely getting closer with your team, and bouncing ideas off each other. There’s something special about the spontaneous creation of a full game from such simple phrases and words that really brings out people’s creative side.”

Do you think it is a great opportunity for people who are not in a gaming and animation-related major to give it a shot?

“Absolutely!!! Fresh ideas are always welcome! Outsider perspectives are actually incredibly helpful, as us artists and programmers are known for getting very in our heads.”

What is the thing you're most excited about for this year's GGJ?

“Probably character designing and animation! Those are my usual jobs, so I look forward to it yearly. As well we have a new team member, so I’m excited to see how she meshes with the group!”

This year’s Global Game Jam was different from other years. It was hosted for a full week instead of the typical 48-hour weekend, making it possible for students to work on their games more efficiently and produce higher-quality programs. Students were challenged to work individually or on teams to make video games from scratch. OC’s Gaming and Animation program encourages students to participate in this event each year and gain real-world professional experience. Learn more about the Global Game Jam here.