February 28 - March 2, 2025

HBCU Game Jam

Game Design and Development Minor

The HBCU Game Jam

The HBCU Game Jam is an opportunity for HBCU students to apply their theoretical CS and design knowledge as they compete to build their own video games, learn directly from community and industry partners through skill-based workshops, and connect with industry representatives to learn about the many career pathways into tech/gaming. Partners will have an opportunity to strategically position their corporate brand and offerings to the next generation of HBCU tech talent. HBCU Game Jam is scheduled for February 28 - March 2, 2025. For more information, please contact Professor Jerry Volcy, Ph.D., at jvolcy@spelman.edu.


Calling all Aspiring Game Developers and Designers

The Spelman Innovation Team is excited to invite HBCU students from all over the country to apply for the 2025 HBCU Game Jam. The HBCU Game Jam is a weekend-long hackathon February 28 - March 2, 2025, where you will compete by building their own video games to win industry sponsored prizes! This beginner-friendly competition will introduce students to the game development process. Whether you are new to this or true to this, you are welcome to come learn, compete, and have fun!

Faculty Chaperons
To participate in the HBCU Game Jam, all participants outside of the Atlanta University Center must have a designated faculty chaperone. This individual will be responsible for providing guidance, support, transportation, and ensuring that participants are able to adhere to all rules and regulations. Please ensure that you have secured an advisor before submitting your application. Faculty Chaperones are asked to complete the team registration form. Once the team has been registered, students will be asked to register individually.

Faculty Chaperone Information Student Registration Information

HBCU Game Jam FAQs

Do I have to know how to code/make games to attend?
You do not need to know how to make games or code! This is a beginner friendly event for all HBCU students, regardless of major or classification. There will be workshops and mentors to teach you everything you need to know about making games from scratch.

What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is an event where people engage in rapid and collaborative engineering over a relatively short period of time (24 or 48 hours). The HBCU Game Jam will last 24 hours, from 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 1, to 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 2, 2025. As this is a 24 hour competition, do expect to pull an all-nighter at the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library. You read that right - you will be spending 24 hours at this event, so bring your sleeping bags! Please note that due to security reasons, students who leave during the competition will not let back in.

What are we competing for?
Our amazing industry sponsors have some amazing prizes to celebrate the top video games created during the hackathon. Prizes will be announced at the hackathon. (But trust us, they are good!).

Can I bring a friend?
As long as they are a current HBCU student, absolutely! Whether they know anything about game development or not, bring them! You will be competing in student teams of up to 4 people. If you don't have a team, do not worry! Individual students will have an opportunity to form teams during the hackathon.

Date and Location?
The HBCU Game Jam will take place from Friday, February 28 - Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Robert W. Woodruff Library in the Atlanta University Center:

  • Friday, February 28, 2025 (10 a.m. - 9 p.m. ET)
    10 a.m. -1 p.m. | Student Arrival and Check-In
    1 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Join us for the Inaugural HBCU Game Jam Day Conference. Featuring workshops, seminars, and an industry career fair, we invite all HBCU students to come and learn about game development before the competition begins. After workshops, come and mingle with your fellow HBCU competitors at the Pre-Hack Social. Lunch, dinner, and snacks will be served.
  • Saturday, March 1, 2025 (10 a.m. ET - 11:59 p.m. ET )
    The Hackathon Begins! You will spend the next 24 hours in the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library building your video games! There will be workshops, entertainment, and time for you to start designing your video games! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks will be served.
  • Sunday, March 2, 2025 (12 a.m. ET - 12 p.m. ET)
    The Hackathon continues into Sunday morning. You will begin preparing for the Game Jam Expo where your team will present your video games to the judges! Judges will then award the top video game teams their prizes! Following the closing ceremony, students will depart the event center by 1:30 p.m. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be served.


Apply Here
Please complete this application by Saturday, February 1, 2025, to be considered for the HBCU Game Jam. Accepted students will be notified on a rolling basis. Admission to the game jam will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply Now

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