2011 Global Game Jam

GameSalad’s application runs on Mac OS X and can produce iPhone, iPad, and browser-based content, enabling users to compose games in a drag-and-drop fashion, utilizing visual editors and a behavior-based logic system for rapid prototyping. GameSalad will be distributing its free toolset for jammers to use during the event, and offering anyone who registers their game a free, one year license for its professional version.

GGL, the premier event promoting international game development and teamwork is now in its third year and has grown exponentially since its inception. The event has over 173 sites registered in over 44 countries worldwide. The GGJ will take place Jan. 28-30, 2011. Teams of participants age 16 and up will be working to create the next great independent video game in a single weekend. Participants work from concept to complete games in one intense weekend. Game jams foster innovation, experimentation and collaboration and are a global experiment in creativity. The event provides a vehicle for professionals, students and hobbyists to come together to have an incredible experience in game development.

 “We are thrilled to have GameSalad sponsor the event. It will allow creative types who are ‘not programmers’ to participate, which expands the breadth of the event to an even wider audience,” says Gordon Bellamy, executive director, IGDA.

“Innovation in the gaming industry is being driven by independent developers and the games they create at events like the Global Game Jam. We’re proud to be sponsoring this cutting-edge event,” said Steve Felter, CEO, GameSalad. “To show our support to independent developers participating this weekend, we’re also offering a free year of Professional GameSalad membership to each member of a team that builds their official Global Game Jam submission with GameSalad.”

GameSalad’s Professional membership is valued at $499 a year and allows game developers to integrate extra monetization features such as iAds and promotional links, and also includes Priority Technical Support. Since launching in 2009, GameSalad Creator has seen more than 107,000 downloads, helped developers launch more than 1,500 games to Apple’s App Store which now account for more than 3% of all games sold on iTunes. GameSalad Creator is free to download and available now at GameSalad.com.

About GameSalad

GameSalad blends powerful, accessible, and rapid game creation technologies with interactive web services. GameSalad’s flagship product, GameSalad Creator, is a collection of tools and services for game designers. GameSalad enables non-programmers to create sophisticated 2D casual games for Apple’s mobile iOS platforms, such as the iPhone and iPad. GameSalad has offices in Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX. For more information, please visit www.gamesalad.com

About Global Game Jam™

Global Game Jam™ (GGJ) was established in 2009 as an IGDA event with great success and media attention. Lives were changed, jobs found, ideas sold, collaborations and opportunities abound. GGJ brings together talented individuals and teams from around the globe and rallies them around a central theme, for which they have 48 hours to create their game. For more information on the Global Game Jam, visit: http :// globalgamejam . org

About the International Game Developers Association (IGDA)

In its 15th year, the International Game Developers Association is the largest non-profit membership organization serving individuals who create video games. The IGDA is committed to advancing the careers and enhancing the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community. For more information on the IGDA, please visit http://www.igda.org/.

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IGDA/Global Game Jam press contact:

Luis Levy

The Bohle Company

310 785 0515 Ext. 204

luis@bohle.com