Submitted photos

For the Star Journal

RHINELANDER – In partnership with the 2024 Global Game Jam, the School District of Rhinelander Community Education Program, Nicolet College, and ArtStart hosted a “Game Design and Development Lab” for middle school and high school students. Jeremy Nikolai, a software engineer and programmer from Stevens Point, is leading the program. Students have formed teams and are designing and building physical or digital games from initial concept to a playable demo. Teams are working on bringing their games to life.

Since Jan. 23, approximately 20 students have been meeting Tuesday evenings at James Williams Middle School. On Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 6-8 p.m., there will be a final showcase at the Nicolet College Theater in the Lakeside Center open to family, friends and the general public. During this time, students will display their games and will demonstrate how their games are played.

“It’s wonderful that we are able to offer this opportunity to students who are interested in gaming, coding, art, and creativity,” said Mike Cheslock, School District of Rhinelander. “The students are being connected with professionals in the field to give them a valuable hands-on experience. It’s possible that we have some future gaming engineers within the program.”

Global Game Jam is going on its 15th year, and at its peak had 48,000 participants across 900+ sites in 118 countries, making 9,600 games. This is the sixth year of GGJ Next, the youth component of the program, and the second time it’s happening simultaneously with the main event. The “Game Design and Development Lab” at JWMS is one of 16 sites participating worldwide this year, and one of just three in the United States.

In Rhinelander, the program is part of the Culture Tap Artist Residency Program. This innovative partnership between the School District of Rhinelander, Nicolet College, and ArtStart brings international and regional artists to the Northwoods. This program is supported in part by a donation from the Rhinelander Community Foundation.