Pittsburgh Game Jam delivers a rousing night of free hi-tech play

Sometimes it is all fun and games.

High school and middle school students can see for themselves at the Future Communities Game Jam from 7-10 p.m. March 31.

The free evening comes from a partnership between the Sprout Fund and Pittsburgh Department of Innovation and Performance to kick off Inclusive Innovation Week.

The game fest is hosted by AlphaLab Gear in East Liberty. For teens fascinated by science and technology, the chance to get an inside look at one of Pittsburgh’s most innovative startup incubators is an incentive all by itself.

Kids will meet app developers, professional game designers, startup leaders and city data scientists who will share insights to the way new technology will shape the future of Pittsburgh.

This is the third in a series on Gam Jams over the past two months.

“It’s actually part of the larger student video design challenge that’s been going on in Pittsburgh over the past few month,” says Ryan Coon, Sprout Fund program director.

In the national Games For Change Student Challenge, teens design their own video games about issues that impact their communities. They combine their digital storytelling with ways to make a difference. Locally, about 20 teachers have been leading students in the competition curriculum at local school districts since November.

“Game Jam is more of an exposure activity,” Coon says. “There will be an opportunity for young people to work on games they can submit to the competition, but it’s also a fun opportunity to even try some of this stuff out for the first time.”

Gamers from the Center for Arts & Education at West Liberty University will lead a round of Trivia Bingo and do a bit of fortune telling with the Read Your Game Design Fortune. Are you into augmented reality platonic solids activities? (Yes, we had to look it up too.) They’re got it covered.

Imagine you’re using an app on your phone, looking for somewhere to eat. Your camera shows the neighborhood street, and icons for bakeries, restaurants and Yelp reviews pop up. That reality has been “augmented.”

City of Play will be responsible for activating both right and left brain lobes with tabletop games and more physical play.

“We wanted to give kids lots of different ways to participate, so if they’re not video game fans, there’s still lots for them to do,” Coon says.

Tabletop games include card games and cooperative games that encourage people to work together to solve problems. A more active game called Joust mixes the chase of tag with the cautious qualities of egg-in-a-spoon races. Players hold a very sensitive wand-like controller and try to set off their opponent’s wand without setting off their own.

Along with the mental and physical stimulation, Game Jam serves up snacks and drinks – plus goodies to take home.

Those who miss out on this week’s Game Jam can plan ahead for similar activities during Remake Learning Days in May.

Register for Game Jam at EventBrite.