iamagamer's first game jam focused on creating female protagonists
From July 12 through 14, Vancouver will play host to game jam organizer iamagamer's first event – a 48 hour jam focused on crafting original games with female protagonists.
"This unprecedented event will dispute the prevailing opinion that video games are for guys and that games with strong, female lead characters will not sell," the announcement press release reads. "Such stereotypes are not only incorrect, but have a negative impact on the industry."
The jam will take place at Vancouver's Centre for Digital Media, with all attendees commencing to jam at 6 p.m. local time on Friday, ceasing their jam-oriented activities 48 hours later on Sunday evening. Artists, designers, developers and writers are all encouraged to register and participate – so far over 150 people have signed on to take part in the event, either on-site in Vancouver or at one of several satellite events happening concurrently elsewhere.
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Jammin' for Change: July 12-14 Game Jam Will Challenge Gender Stereotypes in Gaming
150 developers, designers, artists, and students will create games with female protagonists in first ever iamagamer event in Vancouver, B.C.
VANCOUVER, B.C. - June 26, 2013 - iamagamer, a new organization that arranges game jams around social causes, seeks to challenge gender stereotypes in gaming with their inaugural event kicking off July 12 in Vancouver, Canada. This collaborative development marathon will bring together game developers, designers, artists, and students to create video games with female protagonists, from scratch, over a 48-hour period.
To be held at Vancouver's Centre for Digital Media, this unprecedented event will dispute the prevailing opinion that video games are for guys and that games with strong, female lead characters will not sell (as observed in a recent Gamasutra article), sending a message that such stereotypes are not only incorrect, but have a negative impact on the industry.
Since its initial announcement, the event has grown in popularity with several satellite sites around the world and many remote participants signing on, bringing total "jammers" to more than 150 worldwide. The organizers seek to create a fun, collaborative, and energy-filled opportunity for individuals in the video game industry and beyond to come together around a common cause and create something that they believe in.
For more information about iamagamer and the upcoming game jam, please visit: http://www.iamagamer.ca.
For more information about the motivations underlying the jam from the founder and organizer, please visit: http://zanytomato.tumblr.com
For the Gamasutra article referred to above, please visit: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/188775/You_cant_have_a_female_character_in_games.php
Visuals: More than 150 game designers, digital media artists, gamers and visionaries in one room, working on projects in real time (48 hours isn't very long to develop and complete a project!) passionate about equality in gaming. There will be lots of coffee, food and creative antics from the tired, but enthusiastic, participants. (There may even be participants snoozing.)
Interviews: Dr. Kimberly Voll, iamagamer Founder and Organizer and Senior Faculty, Centre for Digital Media. (Kimberly will additionally be on-site and can facilitate interviews with participants for media.)
When: Starting July 12 at 6 p.m. through July 14 at 6 p.m.
Where: Centre for Digital Media: 685 Great Northern Way
