Five levels. One statewide community. Colorado students build games that answer real challenges from aerospace, defense, local government, education, and the video game industry — then show them to the people who posed them.
It starts at the menu screen and runs through to a statewide stage — each level builds on the last.
"All games start the same way, at the menu screen, equally all new initiatives need a starting point too; we cordially invite you to the Game Start Social, the beginning of the Catalyst Gaming Sandbox. Please enjoy our select menu of specialty drinks and stay a while to learn what is to come, how to participate, and how to follow and be involved."
The menu screen. Specialty drinks, and the full reveal of what's coming — how to participate, how to follow, and how to get involved.
Students pick a real-world topic — aerospace, defense, local government, education, or the video game industry — and build a game to answer it.
Game Jam students showcase creations to the industries and agencies whose challenges they tackled — mingling, live demos.
Independent developers lead panels and workshops teaching aspiring creators how to build games and run a business.
Students give 7–10-minute TED-style talks on what gaming does better than other industries and what problems games can solve.
A living wall of event photography, jam screenshots, and student work — updated as the initiative rolls out.
Registration for the October Game Jam opens soon. Join the Discord to get the challenge drop first.
Sandbox connects Colorado students to the agencies and companies actually solving hard problems — using the medium students already speak fluently.
Challenge topics sourced directly from Colorado aerospace, defense, local government, education, and video game industry partners.
Itch.io and Discord close the distance so students anywhere in Colorado compete on the same field.
The Reveal-a-Thon turns a portfolio piece into a conversation with a hiring manager.
Level up the statewide community on Itch.io and Discord, connecting Colorado students across distance and linking them to real industry prospects.
Indie Jump Start runs the second week of December, January, and February — panels and workshops on building games and running a business. We're looking for developers to sit on the panel, and creators who want a seat in the room.
Indie developers, studio leads, and industry pros — share what you've learned about shipping games and running the business behind them.
Students and aspiring creators — bring your questions, join online or in person, and get answers straight from working developers.
