Towson, MD (September 8, 2008) Students and independent game developers can win over $4,000 in prizes at the Health Game Jam, October 18 at the University of Baltimore. The Jam is a marathon session that challenges teams of designers, programmers and artists to work round-the-clock to create small, playable games that demonstrate innovative ideas in short amounts of time. Competitors showcase their work, which will be critiqued and judged by a panel of professional game developers and educators. The Health Game Jam's Grand Prize winner will receive $3,000 from the Games for Health Project. An additional prize of $1,000, sponsored by the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development, will be awarded to the best student-built game. Winners will be judged not only on the originality, quality and playability of their work, but also by how well the game address the theme of personal health. "We are pleased to showcase the creativity of the next generation of game designers, programmers, and artists. These are the multi-talented people who will propel the next generation of success in our local serious games industry," stated David S. Iannucci, Executive Director of the Baltimore County Department Economic Development. Central Maryland has more than 100 companies and research institutes developing new applications for modeling, simulation, games and interactive technologies. The Health Game Jam is open to individuals and teams of all shapes and sizes, including student groups, independent game developers and individuals with programming chops. All team members must be 18 years of age or over to participate, or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times during their participation. Participants can register and request more information online. "Experimental game jams, which owe their heritage to demo jams in Europe, have become popular events over the past five years. We want to tap into the incredible creativity these jams foster and put that to use in the health domain," said Ben Sawyer, co-founder of the Games for Health Project. The Health Game Jam's host partner is the University of Baltimore. Prize partners include the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development and Microsoft Corporation. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Pioneer Portfolio, which supports innovative ideas that may lead to breakthroughs in the future of health and health care, is a major supporter of the Games for Health Project. Read more Business Headlines Read more about Baltimore County Business Communities Back to top Baltimore County
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