Discovering New Talents
Every great game starts with a bold first step. For Jacob, a Kelowna-based student and first-time game jammer, that step was joining OGDA’s most recent jam on a whim. What he found wasn’t just a weekend project, but a vibrant, welcoming community and a new creative passion.
“I love playing games,” he said, “but I haven’t developed any games before. Then I found this (game jam) on Eventbrite and I thought it would be a good way to dip my toes in the water with people who know how to make games and figure out how it’s done.”
The Global Game Jam gave him something he didn’t have before: a focused timeline, a supportive environment, and a team that was driven to get it done! With this support, what began as curiosity quickly turned into hands-on experience.
Walking into the jam, he wasn’t sure what to expect or how he’d contribute. Jacob originally expected to help with programming, but when his teammates had that covered, he pivoted to an unexpected role: sound designer.
“I’ve always loved music, I play piano and guitar, but I had never tried digital audio before,” he explained. “So I hooked up my piano to my computer for the first time and started experimenting with DAWs and mixing tools. It was awesome.”
That choice not only helped his team complete their game, but also revealed a new creative path. Jacob discovered he loved working with audio tools and bringing his musical background into the game-making process. What started as a backup plan became his favorite part of the weekend.
“There were moments I felt stuck, like when I couldn’t get audio output from my setup,” he said. “But when it finally worked, it was so satisfying. I was proud of what we made.”
Advice for First-Timers: Just Show Up
Jacob’s advice for future participants is simple and sincere:
“If you’re curious, just show up. It was pretty welcoming. There were a lot of people that came (to the event) and when I got here it was nice to chat with other people and find out what their skills were. If you have any interest in making a game, come on over and try it out.”
He also recommends exploring unexpected roles. “I didn’t think I’d end up doing music, but it was the most fun part. There’s always something you can contribute, even if it’s not what you expected.”
Jacob is one of many young talents in the Okanagan hoping to break into the game’s industry, “I’m hoping to get a job at a local tech company in Kelowna. I know there are a few game companies around here and am looking forward to seeing what else is available.”
