From January 30 to February 1 2026, the School of Computer Science at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) successfully hosted the Ningbo Site of the 2026 Global Game Jam (GGJ). Executed by the student-led GameMaker Society under the School's guidance, the event attracted over 100 developers and industry professionals. The 48-hour challenge resulted in 20 high-quality game prototypes, vividly demonstrating the School's commitment to empowering education through practical innovation.
Technical Excellence: 48 Hours of Innovation
As the global theme "MASK" was revealed, the venue transformed into a hub of technological and artistic collaboration. Influenced by the academic rigor of the School of Computer Science, students from diverse disciplines, including Engineering, Humanities, and Business, formed interdisciplinary teams to merge complex coding with creative design.
The closing ceremony highlighted several projects that showcased the students' solid technical foundations:
- SpaceX Mask (Best Game & Best Art): The team delivered a seamless interactive experience through sophisticated programming, demonstrating a high level of technical completion.
- Mask Knight (Best Student Project & Best Gameplay): Developed solo by Wu Sige, this logic-driven game exemplified the superior engineering mindset cultivated at UNNC.
- Mask Obsessed (Best Popularity Award): Computer Science student Guo Jiabao noted that the platform provided by the School allowed him to experience the crucial transition from theoretical knowledge to real-world application.
Institutional Leadership: Cultivating an Innovation Ecosystem
The success of the event was underpinned by the strong leadership of the School of Computer Science. Professor Dave Towey, Head of the School, authorized critical resource allocation, ensuring the smooth execution of this global technical event.
As the primary organizer, the School of Computer Science is dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and industry. The event featured a judging panel of industry veterans, including Liu Zhonglian, Partner at Game Trigger. The experts praised the commercial potential and technical standards of the entries, recognizing them as a direct reflection of the School’s high-quality talent cultivation.
Educational Vision: From Classroom to Industry
The GGJ Ningbo Site served as an extension of the School of Computer Science’s innovative educational philosophy. The event’s initiator, Computer Science and AI student Li Chi, founded the GameMaker Society within the School’s supportive environment for student initiatives.
By integrating resources from the Department of International Communications and the UNNC Art Center, the School of Computer Science established a dynamic interdisciplinary platform. This initiative not only enabled students to transform from "coders" to "product developers" within 48 hours but also prepared a new generation of tech-savvy, globally-minded talents for the future industry.
Published on 05 February 2026