Ealing (Parliament Politics Magazine) – University of West London students showcased innovation during a week-long Games Jam and awards event at the cutting-edge Digital Futures Lab.
The task of creating a brand-new game centered around the concept of “time” was undertaken by participants from the London School of Film, Media and Design (LSFMD), the School of Computing and Engineering (SCE), and the London College of Music (LCM).
Dr Malte Ressin, course lead for the BSc Computer Games Technology, said:
“Time is a good theme because it allows you to do something with the game mechanic if you so choose, but it also allows you to do something about the setting and the mood.”
The event included industry participation in addition to creative inquiry. A glass trophy, a monitor from the gaming company MSI, and a coveted Staff Key from SEGA—which would allow access to the company’s entire game library—were among the prizes.
Ryan Callard, a lecturer on UWL’s Games, Design and Animation course, said:
“A Games Jam is a chance to work with different people, prove their mettle and win cool prizes. The Digital Futures Lab is incredibly well outfitted. It has some amazing machines and good spaces for working in.”
Cedric Van Dorpe, senior security analyst at Sega Europe and UWL alumnus, said:
“We’re big fans of this university. It was an amazing opportunity… to see how I can help and prepare the next generation of game developers. Maybe they will join us at SEGA one day.”
Eris the Time Thief, a platformer with a time-stopping goddess, won first place for “Team Olympus.” “Spicy Meatballs” with Hey Boss and “Timeless Suffering” with the looping action film Grimloop were the runners-up from Ealing.
How does UWL support innovation in game development education?
Students can get hands-on experience with the newest technology at UWL’s Digital Futures Lab, which offers top-notch hardware and software for creating games, visual effects, and esports projects.
Game design, worldbuilding, animation, sound, planning, and project management are just a few of the many skills covered in courses like BSc (Hons) Games Design and Animation and BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology. Students are encouraged to experiment with transmedia storytelling, experimental games, and independent senior projects that highlight their individual creative visions.
Flexible assignment formats that walk students through making their own games with industry-standard technologies like Unity and Blender are examples of how teaching approaches foster student autonomy and creativity. It has been demonstrated that this method increases confidence, problem-solving abilities, and the creation of creative products that go above and beyond expectations.