Shooting bad guys, collecting butterflies and building empires have always been popular themes for game designers.
But when you mix young imaginative minds with digital programming skills, there is potential for the next "big thing" in gaming to hit screens.
That potential exists in Dunedin over the next three days at the Schools Game Jam at Otago Polytechnic, where year 12 and 13 pupils from around the region will form teams and spend the next 48 hours designing and building a fully fledged game.
Throughout the weekend, mentors from the local game industry as well as staff and senior students in the bachelor of information technology programme will be on hand to guide participants and offer advice and feedback on the games as they progress.
The event will culminate in a mini showcase of games on Sunday evening, which includes the chance to win spot prizes.
Dunedin Schools Game Jam is running alongside Kiwi Jam, a national game development competition for adults.
Otago Polytechnic information technology principal lecturer Adon Moskal said the event was a great way for budding game designers to foster friendships, increase their confidence and create opportunities within the game development community.
"Over the past several years, Dunedin has firmly established itself as a viable destination for major game studios.
"Now, with the help of the New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence, Otago Polytechnic is proud to be able to host an event that offers budding game developers a taste of this exciting industry," Mr Moskal said.
Recent estimates put the New Zealand games industry’s worth at more than $300 million, and it had an annual growth rate of more than 40%, he said.
Tech companies, both in New Zealand and globally, were in need of specialist game designers and developers.
Recognising this growth, Otago Polytechnic had created game development pathways within relevant existing qualifications, providing students with wider skills and knowledge within those degree programmes, as well as arming them with a portfolio of skills and experience tailored to the games industry, Mr Moskal.
"The Dunedin Schools Game Jam is a golden opportunity for students to see if game development might be a pathway they could follow into the New Zealand games industry’s bright future."
