Who we are?
The first Scientific Game Jam was launched in Grenoble in 2014 during the International Year of Crystallography, thanks to a partnership between Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble INP, CNRS, CEA, and La Casemate. Since then, other cities have joined the movement: Paris, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Nantes, Lyon, Toulouse…
The Scientific Game Jam is now a yearly national event with local editions. Coordination of the event is done by a group of 3 people: Pol Grasland-Mongrain (Lyon/Avignon), Marc de Boissieu (Grenoble) et Emilie Gaudry (Nancy)
What is a Scientific Game Jam?
A “game jam” is a videogame creation event, on the “hackathon” model.
The Scientific Game Jam is special: it aims to create scientific videogames, with teams of scientists and videogame creators.
Games are then distributed on internet and during events: they can be shown, played and distributed for free!
Note: any commercial distribution requires however an agreement from the development team.
The Scientific Game Jam is the first game jam focused on scientific themes.
Participants have 48 hours to create a video game inspired by academic research.
Scientific Game Jam Numbers
Games
286
Total participants
1500+
Years
12
Host cities
15
How Does It Work?
1 – START
After the scientists present their research topics, the teams are formed!
Each team consists of a researcher and a variable number of programmers, graphic designers, game designers, and musicians.
2 – BRAINSTORM
The teams begin by discussing to find a game concept around the presented research topic.
3 – LET’S GET TO WORK!
Each team member contributes to creating the envisioned game, with the help of mentors if needed. The game is gradually taking shape!
4 – GAME PRESENTATIONS
At the end of the weekend, the game creation process concludes. Each team presents their completed game for the first time! Spectators can try out the games and provide initial feedback.
5 – JURY
A jury composed of scientists and video game professionals will test the games. The jury will select one of them, the one that best combines education and entertainment!
Scientific Game Show
The Scientific Game Show is the closing event for all Scientific Game Jams held in the spring!
It usually takes place in May and includes the “Audience Favorite” award: the game that receives the most public votes among all the entries.
