COMPUTER GENIUSES DESIGNED GAMES AT IZMIR UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS

Izmir University of Economics hosted computer geniuses. The Aegean Region step of the Global Game Jam (GGJ) 2014, a worldwide event where participants are asked to develop computer games in 48 hours based on the assigned theme for that year, took place at Izmir University of Economics. As the participants spent 48 sleepless hours, they worked on to design games based on this year’s theme, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are”.80 participants in 15 groups took part in the Aegean Region step of the organization that was held in 8 centres all throughout Turkey. Sercan Altundaş, İnan Evin, Bahadır Sevim, and Can Ürük became in first place with their games named, “Psychic Baby”.

Prof. Dr. Turhan Tunalı, Dean of IUE Faculty of Engineering and Computer Sciences, who delivered the opening speech for Global Game Jam 2014, mentioned that the organization was such a good opportunity for experts in the computer field to get together and get acquinted. Prof. Dr. Tunalı stated, “We broke new ground in computer games at Departments of Computer Engineering and Software Engineering at our University. We are the one and only in Turkey. We are offering undergraduate degree in Computer Games Option Program. In this way, students graduate by knowing about modelling, game motor design, and appropriate programming languages. In today’s world, there’s an increasing interest in computer games. This has been a nice opportunity to meet with the sector representatives and interested parties.”