Jamchester pro game jam set for May

More than 200 professional developers will come together for a game jam in Manchester, an event that its organiser has claimed as the largest of its kind ever to take place in the UK.

Jamchester is the product of a collaboration between the industry network Gameopolis and HackManchester, which has a track record of organising similar competitions. The event is open to teams of between one and four people, all of which will create new game ideas across three days in May.

Entries will be assessed by expert judges from PlayStation, Creative Assembly and Microsoft among others, with prizes awarded for excellence in a variety of disciplines.

"We've created Jamchester to showcase Greater Manchester on the national stage as a great place to make games," said Simon Smith, chair of Gameopolis, in a statement. "In the past year alone our local game jams have produced Titan Souls, Sublevel Zero, Unbox, and Super Rude Bear Resurrection, with more on the way."

Jamchester will be held at The Studio in Manchester, from May 20 to 22. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Special Effect.