The world of games is truly remarkable. As gamers, I think a lot of us forget to see the people who work on games. We don’t credit them enough.  I was invited to UOW’s Jingle Mingle event where they showcase their students’ games and projects. I was thinking about how cool it must be, to create your own game and then showcase it to people. I studied psychology so my project back then was a big board filled with colourful papers and explaining the different personality disorders to everyone who came by.

Honestly, not as cool as Jingle Mingle. 

The event was being held at UOW’s campus in Glenmarie or as lecturer Sophie Azlan (also our freelance writer) would say, “Jalan Contractor”. I got lost about a gazillion times but when I finally made it, I appreciated the people who put signs all over to the elevator leading to the event (Bless you!). It was set up at the Computer Labs which, when you think about it, makes complete sense. There was a registration counter where they gave us this cute file(so I could stuff all my freebies in hehe). 2 Labs were set up with games and man it was packed when I got there!

What I loved so much about this event was that each booth transported you into a different world. One minute you’re a piece of paper, the next you’re thrust into a dark room trying to escape.

What wonderful adventures! You pretty much explore everything from narrative-driven games to visually stunning virtual worlds. It showcased the breadth of skills these students have acquired throughout their academic journey. Each booth was creatively decorated and it showed a little bit of each game’s personality. The students would eagerly seek feedback from people whether it was an industry expert, other students or just visitors coming to check the showcase out.

Industry experts and representatives such as EA Sport and Lemon Sky Studios attended the showcase,  scouting for emerging talent. It’s why events like this exist, to pave the way for job opportunities, internships, or even collaborations. (Not at all intimidating if I was a student). It’s also a networking opportunity for these students and it can be a stepping stone for those looking to transition from academia to the professional game development world.

I don’t see this event as just a networking opportunity, or a job opportunity, for me, it’s a celebration of these students’ hard work and dedication throughout not just doing these projects, but their journey as game developers. It’s a moment for them to take pride in their accomplishments and receive recognition for their contributions to the field of game development.

I found it cute that some students were a tiny bit intimidated when I mentioned I was media, but it made me smile my heart out hearing them talk about their games. You could see the amount of love they have for games when they talk about what they’ve done, and what they intend to do.

This is what I learned from the experience of attending this Jingle Mingle. Give these students a chance. We’re all so invested in big AAA studios and game titles that we don’t see the treasure we have right in front of our eyes. Giving student game developers a chance is an investment is the future of the gaming industry. Embracing the enthusiasm and potential of students can create a more vibrant and diverse gaming landscape for years to come.

Check out all the games we got to try out at this website! Each one is unique in its own way and I highly recommend all of them!