The Kennesaw State Game Design and Development Club gives its members the resources and community that they need to succeed both professionally and socially.
“First and foremost, our main focus and goal is the positive development of our club members,” GDDC co-president and computer science major Phoenix Sink said.
The GDDC helps students develop skills for video game development and design. They also help foster a sense of community through events with fellow game designers. It is both a professional and casual community.
The GDDC participates in Game Jams throughout the year. Participants of all skill levels have 48 hours to create a video game based on a theme and then watch trailers for the work created. GDDC co-president and game design and development major Rob Harwood said watching the event on the Marietta campus is quite fun.
Members frequently collaborate on sound, visuals, and more and use the platform “itch.io” to upload content.
GDDC students plan to present projects at their “Mega Showcase” event on April 17 on the Marietta campus, which lets independent creators present their work to industry leaders, fans and consumers.
Computer science major and GDDC event manager Alex Loverde created the game “Buckler 2,” which is available on STEAM games. He is working on another piece titled “Project Trowel,” which is planned for professional release in the future. Fellow member Brannan Vitek is designing an educational game.
Much of this work happens at GDDC weekly meetings, which have several formats. One of these formats is the roundtable, which involves classroom-style discussions where a subject is chosen and the attendees share any experience with it that enhanced or hindered their experience in a game.
Another meeting format involves improvisational sessions. After brief instruction, students practice applying skills in actual programs. For example, students created maps based around the locations of cities. Sink said the variance in end results made the experience fun.
Other meetings take on the session format. These more technical exercises are conducted in computer labs and are intended to teach skills like organizing a game design portfolio, dynamic audio, pixel art, shaders, user-interface and more.
For Sink, the highlight of the GDDC is the community. She expressed nervousness about coming to KSU initially, but the kindness and welcoming attitude of the club put her at ease. She noted its atmosphere allows differences among members to strengthen their bonds.
“I wouldn’t trade our club members for anything,” Sink said.
The club was established in 2010 to support the Georgia Game Developer’s Program and the game design development program on the Marietta campus. It is always looking to recruit new members, especially from the Kennesaw campus.
To join the GDDC Discord account, visit discord.gg/c2acSyd. The club holds meetings every Wednesday on the Marietta Campus from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. in room H200.
