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Get your game on: PIGSquad brings Global Game Jam to Portland for the fifth consecutive year

Games. They’re on your computer. On your console. On your phone. And they not only serve as a means of entertainment, they serve as inspiration. But if you’re inspired to build one how do you get started? Or how to you find other folks to help realize your vision? In Portland, there’s no better place than the Portland Indie Game Squad and the Global Game Jam.

Familiar with the Startup Weekend format? Then you’re familiar with the Global Game Jam format. You’ve got 48 hours to collaborate with your peers in an effort to bring your game concept to reality.

The Global Game Jam (GGJ) is the world’s largest game jam event (game creation) taking place around the world at physical locations. Think of it as a hackathon focused on game development. It is the growth of an idea that in today’s heavily connected world, we could come together, be creative, share experiences and express ourselves in a multitude of ways using video games – it is very universal. The weekend stirs a global creative buzz in games, while at the same time exploring the process of development, be it programming, iterative design, narrative exploration or artistic expression. It is all condensed into a 48 hour development cycle. The GGJ encourages people with all kinds of backgrounds to participate and contribute to this global spread of game development and creativity.

For Portland folks, the local Global Game Jam will be taking place at the Art Institute of Portland, January 29-31, 2016. Think of it as a springboard event into Portland Startup Week.

For more information or to RSVP, visit Global Game Jam: Portland 2016.