Centers for Disease Control to host jam for health awareness games

Southern Polytechnic State University will host a game jam next month focusing on the creation of games featuring health issues addressed by the Centers for Disease Control, according to the website of the Georgie Game Developers Association.

The first Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Game Jam — which will take place at Southern Polytechnic in Marietta, Ga. — will run from Friday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. ET through Sunday, Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. The jam will task participants with creating games that will inform players on the CDC's health priorities; these issues include disease outbreak investigation and prevention and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

According to the GGDA, participants need not be affiliated with Southern Polytechnic in any way and can sign up as a team or join one on arrival at the jam. Participants can make a video game or a board game and will have access to healthcare experts for consultation during the event.

Final entries will be judged by professional game developers and healthcare investors and developers. Judging will take place on Oct. 4 during Games for Health Day at the Southern Interactive Entertainment and Game Expo in Atlanta. The winning team will be offered a paid four-week stint to complete their game for the CDC and launch it this December.

Registration for the CDC game jam is currently open on Eventbrite. There are a limited number of spaces open for the jam and GGDA encourages interested participants to sign up ahead of time, as walk-in slots may not be available.