A Successful Youth Game Jam, thanks to our YLC Board, Sponsors, and Volunteers!

YLC sends a gigantic THANK YOU to everyone who supported our Inaugural Youth Game Jam this past Saturday, we especially want to thank:

• Our fabulous and dedicated YLC Board of Directors
• Our generous sponsors:
• MasterCard
• Enterprise Holdings
• GrayBar
• Simutronics
• Nvidia
• All of our hard-working volunteers (who gave over 300 hours of their time this weekend!)

We could NOT have pulled of such a successful event with out you!

Game Jam Wrap Up and Presentations!

Teams are finishing up their games after a long, hard day of work! Pictures from team presentations are here! Each team was responsible for brainstorming ideas, designing the game, and implementing it. It took a lot of dedication and creativity to make these projects come to life!

A big thank you to all of our design mentors and volunteers! We really appreciate all of your hard work and help to make this day possible.

Team Update: Team Shark Escape!

Team Shark Escape! puts the final touches on their game, including adding graphics and inserting a credits page. This team has created an elaborate game in which players must avoid a shark by dodging different predators.

Team Update: Team Pedro

This team has finished an awesome game with time to spare!! In the game, a poisonous fish must navigate to eat grass and avoid other predators. The pictures below show both regular and aerial views of the game!

Wii Boxing Challenge Begins!

Teams take a break from their projects to compete in Wii Boxing for a chance to win iTunes Giftcards. Good luck!

Team Update: Surfer Survival

Team Surfer Survival has developed a great game! Surfers must surf past various obstacles, including a squid and a wave, to reach a 5,000 foot wave. Wow! Team members are currently translating their hand-drawn pictures into digital copies for the game. Way to go! They are also putting the final touches on sound and timing of the game.

Team Profile: Kid Co.

Team Kid Co. is creating a board game called Neptune's Run. In this underwater game, robbers have stolen jewels and other items from Neptune's castle and must race back to their hide out. First one back to his hideout wins! Chance cards can also be drawn that can either help or set back players' progress. This team is in the final design phase: the board game is almost ready to go!

Baseball Challenge Winner: Team Dominators!

Team Dominators just won iTunes gift cards for winning the Game Jam Wii baseball challenge. One very skilled individual on the team scored multiple home runs and even played left handed even though he is right handed-- now that is impressive! Way to go!

Team profile: Aurum in Mare (Gold in the Sea)

This team has developed an underwater adventure game where players must navigate the sea to find the treasure chest. Various creatures, including a blowfish, will pose threats to players to block them from finding the treasure. The team has split into two groups: one is designing the sea creatures while the other is programming the game. This team understands that time management and dividing jobs are key! Check out these awesome pictures of their work so far!

Team CJZMD

Team CJZMD is currently making a computer game that involves warships, torpedoes, and epic battles! They are using GameSalad to program their game. Two players fight to the death for the ultimate prize! 

Lunchtime

Pointasaurus pizza from Pointer's. Thanks to our wonderful lunchtime volunteers! 



Team Shark Escape! -VIP team

The Game Jam volunteers drew participant Michael L.'s name to be in the Game Jam VIP Club in this morning's raffle drawing. His team is developing their computer game, Shark Escape!, in the VIP workspace. In Shark Escape!, you are a scuba diver whose goal is to get away from a shark as fast you can. You start the game with 5 lives, but if the shark gets you, you lose one. In order to win you must escape from the deadly shark unscathed!

The team's artists are having a great time drawing the characters of the game. Pics below of their initial sketches!

Good luck Team Shark Escape!

First Game Jam Wii contest!

One representative from each team will battle it out in a round of Wii bowling! This is a welcome break from rigorous game planning. Good luck teams!

Team Mr. Fishy's Adventure

Team profile: The goal of the game is to act as Mr. Fishy and grab as many pearls from the ocean as you can, while avoiding enemies. Right now, part of the team is choosing sound effects for the shark enemies and the background effects for the whole game. Mentor Katherine B. is helping the team to use Scratch to develop their computer game. Good luck, Team Mr. Fishy.

Video interview with Team Mr. Fishy member, David below:





Team Water Run

Team WR stated that their game is kind of like an aquatic-themed Temple Run in the form of a boardgame. Each character has a distinct personality and has to run away from King Neptune because they stole from his kingdom. The character will encounter many obstacles across the journey, advancing through the game with cards and dice. The team is working with team leader Tim S. to organize the art and premise of the game. He is having a great time at the Game Jam so far. This is his first time at YLC!

Team Surfer Dudes

Team SD is currently producing a game called Ocean Surfer, with the help of mentor/team leader Andrew C. Using Gamestar Mechanic, the team is implementing the storyline of the ocean surfer. His goal is to get to the top to get back to his family, from whom he was separated after a terrible storm. Good story, Team SD!

Video capture of Isaiah below:

 

Team Profile: Terminators (aka TBD)

Team Terminators is currently working on sound effects, art, and using new plugins in their game. Good luck Team Terminators!

Team profile: Ultimate Battleship Destroyer

Team UBD is in the production phase using GameSalad. Their mentor Andrea A. is helping the team get the characters of the game produced. She is new to GameSalad so she is utilizing all of the talented volunteers at the Game Jam to help her team! Good luck Team Ultimate Battleship Destroyer!

Brainstorming/ planning phase

The team planning has begun!

Team profile:

Team Dino aka Team Pedro is currently brainstorming ideas! They reported that they chose their team by combining a variety of abilities. Good luck team Pedro/Dino!

YLC enters the blogosphere!

Welcome to the Youth Learning Center's new blog! We are so excited for our first-ever Youth Game Jam, to be held at YLC on Saturday, April 20th!!

Stay tuned for live updates from students about their favorite parts of the day, games they are playing, and ways that media and technology impact their lives!

We will also be featuring STUDENT BLOGGERS who will be giving us the inside scoop on what Game Jam day is like!!


 Check out our website for more info about what's going on at YLC