Live Coding Events and Hack Battles

Get stuck in!

We’ll be hosting a number of regular ‘live’ events, which are a great way to get users involved on more ambitious, larger scale projects, as well as facilitating collaboration through our social sharing space and lobby chat areas.

They may run for a day, a week, or even a month or two, and include things like:

After-School Hangout

Running 3-7pm Monday-Friday, users can join their friends for some after-school fun!

Every Monday, we release a new Mini Code-It Challenge to try. Once started, it appears with the rest of their projects, and users are free to go back and tinker with it whenever they like!

Just like our in-person clubs, the After-School Hangout is split into age groups, so your children are be able to interact with other like-minded users; sharing projects and bonding through our chat function.

As always, our Zone Leaders are on hand throughout the event to moderate the chat function or to offer help should anyone need it!

Build Battles

At the end of each month, we run a fun Build Battle that users have the option to train for in the weeks running up.

It's a brilliant way for users to get stuck into our community, and really put their new skills to the test!

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for our themed events too, just take a look at the one we ran for Halloween this year!

How to take part

Game jams are included with every membership and taking part is optional. They run around the school holidays and half terms, alongside the ordinary weekly clubs rather than instead of them, so nobody misses their usual session to join in.

If your child is not a member yet, the first session is a free taster and we do not ask for card details to book it.

FAQ

What is a game jam?

We announce a theme and children across the clubs spend a few weeks building something from it. There is no brief beyond the theme and nothing to finish by a deadline you can fail. Past themes have included Evolution, Elemental Powers and The Wall of Doom.

Does my child need to be an experienced coder to join in?

No. Jams run alongside the ordinary weekly clubs and children take part at whatever level they are already working at. A jam entry can be a two-screen platformer or something genuinely strange that only makes sense to its author. Both count.

Is what children share with each other moderated?

Yes. Children share what they have made on our own platform, and chat and sharing between members is moderated by mentors.

Do jams cost extra?

No. They are included with membership. Game Dev Club is £65 a month, Game Dev Academy is £25 and Game Dev Advanced is £85, and the first session is a free taster with no card details required.

How often do jams run?

Around the school holidays and half terms, so several times a year. They run alongside the ordinary weekly clubs rather than instead of them, and taking part is optional.

Does my child have to finish something?

No. There is no brief beyond the theme and nothing to finish by a deadline you can fail. Plenty of entries are half an idea that turned out to be more interesting than the plan.

Can my child work with a friend?

Yes. Children share what they have made on our own platform, where chat and sharing between members is moderated by mentors, and a jam is usually when the most collaboration happens.

Latest News

Fragile Handle With Care Game Jam Roundup

Our first Summer Game Jam is over, and we had so much fun! We've collected some of our favorite games that our members have worked on, keep reading to take a look!

Happy World Wide Web Day!

Join us as we celebrate World Wide Web Day and find out about how we strive to make our corner of the internet a fun and safe place for children to enjoy!

International Day of Friendship!

It's International Day of Friendship and we'll be celebrating by continuing to make sure our clubs are a safe, fun, and welcoming space for all!

Keep reading to find out more...