38 Studios Hosting Massachusetts GameJam

Maynard, Massachusetts-based developer and publisher 38 Studios will host a GameJam for its second annual Massachusetts Game Challenge, offering cash prizes to college students for developing a game within 48 hours, starting tonight and ending February 8th at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The GameJam is open to aspiring game artists, designers, and programmers across the U.S. and Canada (except Quebec) for the first time -- the previous Massachusetts Game Challenge was limited to college-enrolled entrants in New England. 38 Studios is offering a pool of cash prizes to the developers or teams of developers (groups up to three) that create the most compelling video game featuring the company's mascot, a green monster named Munch. Founded in 2006 by Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, 38 Studios is currently working with author R.A. Salvatore and artist Todd McFarlane to develop an MMORPG based on an original fantasy IP codenamed Copernicus. The company says that with the Massachusetts Game Challenge, it can encourage college students to demonstrate their talents, and can give those students insight on what it takes to release a product into the competitive video game industry. The event also enables 38 Studios to work more closely with Massachusetts' universities and raise awareness for the greater Boston area's gaming talent.