UMBC will once again be a host site for the 2013 Global Game Jam. This is a weekend-long game development event with hundreds of host sites across the world. Participants at each site form teams and work all weekend long to build games on a common theme, announced at the event. The 2013 Global Game Jam will be held from 5pm Friday, January 25th to 5pm Sunday, January 27th.

For Maryland/DC area participants, this year there are sites at UMBC, College Park, the Universities at Shady Grove, and George Mason. Some sites charge entrance fees, but thanks to generous support by NextCentury Corporation, the UMBC site is free and open to anyone 18+ years of age. Space is limited, so participants should register in advance for the UMBC site on globalgamejam.org.