International university students create impressive games in just 48 hours

Game Jam challenged seven student teams to design and program a complete game within 48 hours, supported by lecturers from the School of Computing & Innovative Technologies.

Under the open-ended theme "Only One," students explored diverse concepts ranging from storylines and gameplay mechanics to visual styles. However, this freedom also posed a significant challenge, demanding originality and skillful execution.

With an innovative concept, the game "On My Last Leg" won the overall competition. Set in a humorous, fictional outer-space scenario, players help a character with only one leg escape from a chasing snail by dragging the leg.

"On My Last Leg" won Game Nexus event. Photo courtesy of BUV

Le Manh Cuong, founder of Tale Weavers Studio, praised the project for its clever combination of concept and gameplay, utilizing tricky controls to enhance the challenge. Students creatively transformed a snail, a traditional symbol of slowness, into a threatening adversary.

Winning the Popular Vote award, "One Shot," a space shooter game, gained favor for its engaging difficulty. "Besides an impressive storyline, the game is tough enough to make you want to replay, sparking a desire to conquer it," said Tran Thanh Tung, founder of Board Game Vietnam.

Other projects also demonstrated significant effort. Teams behind "Gambler's Right Hand" and "Just Gimme One More Try" were noted for their strong emphasis on player experience, while "Blob n Bob" and "Only One" stood out with visually striking graphics. Although not all received awards, these projects highlighted the students' dedication and potential.

Many projects exceeded expectations. David Holloway, program lead of Computer Game Design & Programming and Games Art at BUV, who guided students throughout development, was impressed by the project's quality, particularly considering the tight time constraints.

"I was particularly surprised by how the students interpreted the theme. Each game carried a unique identity and creative gameplay. The collaboration between game design and game art students also resulted in projects with better visuals and presentation," Holloway shared.

Players experiencing the teams' products. Photo courtesy of BUV

Hai Trinh, COO of GameGeek Asia, praised this year's submissions for their exceptional quality. "The projects are exceptional in both quantity and quality. I'm very impressed with the fresh ideas the students showcased," Hai said.

Beyond competition, Games Nexus also provides networking opportunities with industry professionals and game studios.

The event showcased not only high-quality student projects but also their critical thinking, quick learning, and bold creativity. Notably, all creators of "On My Last Leg" were first-year students from BUV's game programs.

Participating teams at the Game Jam competition. Photo courtesy of BUV

Huy Dung, Production Manager at Gameloft Hanoi, was impressed by the students' technical abilities, communication skills, and proactive attitudes. He encouraged aspiring developers to pursue personal projects to gain practical experience and strengthen their skillsets.

"I've worked with BUV interns at our studio and noticed that the university has guided students wonderfully throughout their modules. BUV is the first university in Vietnam to incorporate Unreal Engine into its curriculum, which promises to nurture a new generation of young developers creating unique, 'truly Vietnamese' products," Cuong shared.

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Ali Al-Dulaimi, Head of the School of Computing & Innovative Technologies at BUV, stated, "We anticipated this exceptional level of performance from our students. They have every advantage needed to become the region's premier gaming professionals: world-class programs from one of the world's leading universities in gaming and creativity, the University of Staffordshire; Vietnam's top instructors; and cutting-edge labs, tools, and facilities unmatched in the region."

The Game Jam and Games Nexus event series again demonstrated its role as an incubator for future game creators and a bridge connecting students to the job market, positioning BUV as an ideal launchpad for young talents in Vietnam's gaming industry.