Game Gala URJC, showcase for indie talent

The event, organized by the students of the Rey Juan Carlos University, was held on December 18 and was focused on making the different video games of the students visible.

Daria Efimova

Last Saturday, December 18, the first edition of the URJC Game Gala was held. Organized by the undergraduate students in Video Game Design and Development at the Rey Juan Carlos University, with the aim of giving the maximum possible visibility to the students' projects. The event was held remotely, through a direct the Twitch platform, and had more than 100 attendees.

A showcase of new projects

The idea of creating this gala has arisen from one of the subjects taught in the degree in Video Game Design and Development, "Web Games and Social Networks". “When the last version of the works is finished, and in order to achieve more visibility, from our studio we think it would be a good idea to organize an event in which we can show all our projects”, explains Javier Vico Gallego, a student at the URJC and one of the of the creators of the gala. In this way, the meeting was not only focused on the public that was interested in trying these video games, but also on companies in the sector that are looking for emerging talents.

Game Gala URJC had four guests, all from different studios indie of video games. Among them were Rafael Expósito, from “Cannibal Coconut; Rocio Campo, from VRSDevs; Ismael Jimenez, of Salmorejo Games; and Gael Rial, of Slow Heat Index. Throughout the direct, the participants have analyzed different projects, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each one. In its entirety, the event has lasted four hours and more than 10 video games have been exhibited.

At the end of the gala, the guests have made their predictions about the prizes that the projects can receive: Most Original Game, Best GameConcept, Better Level design, Best Artistic Expression, Best Gameplay, Best Sound Design and Best Game. The result of the trophies is decided by the students through a vote on the one hand, and a professional jury on the other. The results will have a positive influence on the final mark of the subject "Web Games and Social Networks", to which the event is linked.

Many projects with great potential

Although it is not yet known with certainty if Game Gala URJC will have a second edition, its organizers consider that it is a project with great potential that students in upcoming courses can take on. “It is a unique opportunity to reach a new audience”, concludes Javier Vico. "For developers, it is a perfect showcase to sell our work and for the public, an opportunity to learn about what lies behind a video game."

Game Gala URJC is the result of the study Glitter Games, made up of José Pablo Baño García, Javier Balenzategui García, Iván Rodriguez García, Guillermo García-Delgado Álvarez, Eva Pastor Abánadez and Javier Vico Gallego. Currently, his main project is “"Hit on the Beat", an online multiplayer game.