The HBCU Game Jam is an opportunity for HBCU students hosted in the AUC 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.
The Spelman College Innovation Team has invited HBCU students from all over the country to apply for the 2025 HBCU Game Jam. The HBCU Game Jam is a weekend hackathon from March 28 – March 30, 2025. During this hackathon, students will compete by building video games to win industry-sponsored prizes! This beginner-friendly competition will introduce students to the game development process. Whether new to this or true to this, students are welcome to come learn, compete, and have fun!
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 Friday, March 28, to 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 30, 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 be let back in.
The HBCU Game Jam will take place from Friday, March 28 – Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the Robert W. Woodruff Library in the Atlanta University Center:
- Friday, March 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 29, 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 30, 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.
Contact Info
Spelman College Department of Art & Visual Culture
350 Spelman Lane SW, Box 331
Atlanta, GA 30314
404-270-5455
elissagraddy@spelman.edu
