Full Sail Stories

From October 24-26, Full Sail University worked with Wolf Games and hosted the “Dawn of the Devs" game jam for local high school students, as well as for current Full Sail students and alumni. The jam-packed weekend allowed participants to collaborate with other developers, design and build original games using Unreal Engine, try out a Generative AI tool, and showcase their creations to industry pros for the chance to win prizes.

One portion of the event had teams of current Full Sail students and graduates competing against each other. Wolf Games offered all participants the chance to test out a new Generative AI game development tool during the game jam and share feedback on it, and one team successfully produced a game made entirely using Generative AI.

Another portion of the weekend invited local high school students to join teams and compete in a 12-hour game jam where they developed original games according to a theme.

“[The theme for the game jam] was ‘Un______ Crime(s),’ and teams were encouraged to fill in the blank with their own title.” says Phoebe Elefante, game jam host and Program Director for Game Design & Interactive Technology. “We had some hilarious versions, such as Unseen Crimes, Underwater Crimes, and Underwear Crimes. It was great!”

Prizes included a Nintendo Switch 2, a SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 keyboard, and a $50 Steam gift card. The award categories included Alignment to Theme, Creativity and Innovativeness, and User Experience, with distinguished judges like Hall of Fame inductees Mark Diaz and Tom Todia, as well as grad Wesley Blackwood.

“For high school students, [the game jam] was a great dive into game-making with a helping hand,” Phoebe says. “Making games helps encourage STEM/STEAM learning, and challenges students to become active creators rather than just passive consumers of media and entertainment.”

Throughout the weekend, students and grads got the opportunity to expand their portfolios, network with peers, showcase their work publicly, and gain experience in game development in a fun and competitive setting. Ultimately, the overall winner of the high school game jam was the team Stubcub with their game “The Unfinished Crime,” which ranked number one in all three award categories.

“[The game jam] gave high school students an opportunity to work with Full Sail staff and faculty and sample what it’s like to be on our campus," says Andrew Mund, Director of Touring & Support in Full Sail’s Admissions department. "It also created an opportunity to show that what we do here is fun and challenging. If they are looking at pursuing these career fields, we’re a unique and exciting place to do just that.”