This week, we held our annual in-house Game Jam, a 3-day blitz where four teams clashed to create the most captivating VR experience. The purpose of the Game Jam is not simply fun, it is teambuilding through game development. Last year, we went with the theme of “work” since we thought it would be fun to see how games could be introduced into our virtual reality environments, which are mostly designed for training scenarios. This year, we dispensed with having a theme, and instead challenged teams to unleash their creativity within the confines of our existing virtual worlds. How were the teams to create something fun and intriguing within environments created for VR training?
The mission was clear: intuitive gameplay, frustration-free fun, and immersive experiences. With 72 hours ticking away, the pressure was on! Teams brainstormed ideas before quickly settling on whichever one they thought was the most interesting and achievable in the timeframe.
Teams were free to use any of the assets and code from our extensive database, and also to create their own 3d assets and code from scratch. Deciding when to utilise an existing asset or virtual reality interaction and when to deploy a completely new one was a key part of the challenge in getting a game completed in the short timeframe
The result was an inspiring selection of interesting and fun VR game ideas. The winning team built an interactive whiteboard, transforming the virtual reality space into a collaborative canvas. Another team envisioned a futuristic city defence, a twist on Space Invaders where players shielded districts from alien attacks with dynamic shields. A third team tackled the classic buzz-wire challenge, bringing the thrilling test of dexterity to virtual reality. And finally, a team embraced the spooky side, inviting players on an adventure where they hacked through haunted fruits and veggies with a virtual sword.
Each team was judged on creativity, user experience, technical skill, and teamwork. The judges were blown away by the ingenuity, the impressive technical feats, and team spirit. While the interactive whiteboard team ultimately took home the crown, everyone gained a lot from participating and really enjoyed the experience.
The Game Jam was a fantastic opportunity for teams across the company to work together, build camaraderie, and spark innovation. It pushed developers outside their comfort zones, encouraged experimentation, and gave them the thrill of seeing a game come to life from concept to reality.
This year’s Game Jam proved that the possibilities within our virtual environments are truly endless. We’re excited to see many of these innovative game concepts find their way into Avatar Academy, enriching the user experience and opening up exciting new ways for people to explore and interact.
The Game Jam isn’t just a creative sprint; it’s a masterclass in teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving under pressure. It pushes teams to communicate effectively, collaborate seamlessly, and tackle challenges with fresh perspectives—all essential skills that strengthen interpersonal bonds and boost our collective brainpower. Using teambuilding through game development, we have found a fun way of putting different people from different teams together and stretching their creative skills. More than that, it’s a spark for inspiration, encouraging us to think outside the box, dream bigger, and embrace bold ideas. The culture of exploration and fun it fosters is contagious, fueling not just our ambition but also a shared sense of purpose. These learnings don’t just stay in the jam—they ripple outward, elevating every virtual reality experience we design and driving the innovation behind our VR Training Platform. In short, the Game Jam isn’t just about building games; it’s about building a mindset that thrives on creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. It is our hope at Mersus Technologies that every customer of Avatar Academy gains access to more engaging, immersive, and dynamic learning experiences that are shaped by the very spirit of the Game Jam.