Every great game starts with a spark, that brilliant idea that keeps you up at night, the unique mechanic you can’t stop thinking about, the world you’re dying to build. But what comes next? How do you transform that fragile spark into a solid, actionable plan that you can actually build and pitch with confidence?
Taking that first step is often the hardest part. The gap between a dream and a project plan can feel vast.
That’s why the Okanagan Game Developers Association is thrilled to announce our brand new, hands-on event: The Ideation Workshop: Turning Your Game Idea Into a Reality!
What is the Ideation Workshop?
This is not a lecture. This is a one-day, five-hour intensive session where you will roll up your sleeves and work on your idea. Led by industry professionals, this workshop is designed to give you the structure, tools, and feedback needed to move from concept to an actionable Game Design Document.
We will guide you through a proven process to refine your concept, identify your core gameplay, understand your target audience, and you will walk away with a comprehensive document that can propel your project forward.
What You'll Receive
Our goal is for you to leave this workshop feeling empowered and equipped. You will receive:
- A Professional Game Plan: Walk away with a clear, actionable plan for your game, ready for you to start pre-production or create a pitch for potential collaborators.
- Proven Tools & Templates: Get access to professional-grade templates for concept documents, budgeting and marketing research resources.
- Risk Reduction Strategies: Learn how to identify and mitigate common risks early in the development process, saving you time and resources down the road.
- Personalized, Expert Feedback: Get direct, constructive feedback on your idea from seasoned industry veterans in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Who is This Workshop For?
We’ve designed this session for anyone at the crucial beginning stages of a project, including:
- New and Aspiring Developers who want to learn a structured approach to starting a project.
- Indie Game Creators looking to refine their current concept and create a professional ideation document.
- Hobbyists who are ready to get serious about their passion project.
- Anyone with a game idea who is struggling to articulate it professionally and take the next step.
Event Details
While we’re still basking in the glow of our summer jam, our sights are already set on the horizon! We’re thrilled to announce that the Global Game Jam will be returning to the Okanagan in January 2026! Mark your calendars and start dreaming up those amazing concepts. We’ll share more details closer to the date, but expect another unforgettable weekend of game creation.
Session One
Date: Sunday, November 9th, 2025
Duration: 4 hours (Lunch break included)
Location: To be announced
Cost:
- $236 for OGDA Members
- $299 for Non-Members
What to Bring: A laptop or tablet for note-taking and revision is also recommended, and most importantly, your ideas!
Session Two
Date: Sunday, December 7th, 2025
Duration: 4 hours (Lunch break included)
Location: To be announced
Cost:
- $236 for OGDA Members
- $299 for Non-Members
What to Bring: A laptop or tablet for note-taking and revision is also recommended, and most importantly, your ideas!
Spots are Limited!
To ensure every attendee gets valuable, personalized feedback from our instructors, spots for this workshop are strictly limited. We expect them to fill up quickly, so don’t wait to secure your place.
This is your chance to invest in your idea and give it the professional foundation it deserves. Stop dreaming and start planning.
What do you need to be accepted?
This workshop is an intensive, hands-on session designed exclusively for creators based in the Okanagan region. To ensure you get the most out of our day together, please come prepared with a specific game idea you’re ready to develop.
For a head start, review the concepts and topics on our workshop page to help you refine your idea before the event!
We believe in the incredible creative talent right here in the Okanagan. Let us help you take that brilliant idea and forge it into a reality. We can’t wait to see what you create.