Christophe De bont 
14/12/2017
If you’re up for a weekend featuring a whole lot of creativity and caffeine and next to no sleep, Global Game Jam 2018 is the event for you. Taking place January 26-28, there’ll be not just one, but two locations to get your jam on.
For those who don’t have the slightest idea what we’re talking about: Global Game Jam is a worldwide event where you group with a bunch of other people to create a game in 48 hours. The only restriction given is a secret theme that will be revealed at the beginning of the event. At more than 500 locations around the world, tens of thousands of people will be working around that very same theme. Now, onto the locations!
The long-running Global Game Jam Antwerp returns to its faithful location at Het Bos. Since The House of Indie recently went on an indefinite hiatus, organisation this year is left in the capable hands of Pepijn Willekens. For €25 (that’s just a €5 price hike from last year) you’ll be able to participate in an all meals included game jam. Participants get to work alongside creative strangers on provided desks and chairs, have access to a large shared sleeping room AND not starve to death in the process. Space is limited, so if this sounds like your jam, don’t hesitate to sign up.
If you’d rather jam for free, Julian Declercq is also setting up a game jam location at The Lab in Kortrijk. As this event has no entrance fee, there’s no meals included but the venue has on-site vending machines to keep your stomach happy. Sleeping place and equipment can be provided for a small fee if you ask nicely, and the venue also comes pre-equipped with printing tools, an HTC Vive VR set-up. and an auditorium space for jam presentations. Again, space is limited, so if this is more like your jam, you can join here.
Finally, don’t be afraid to participate if you don’t know the first thing about coding or if you’re really bad at Pictionary. Different creative profiles (designers, writers, musicians, students) can be of value to the jamming teams and for all you know, you might get infected with game creation fever forever. So don’t be shy and just go for it. Jam away, everybody!
