SSU hosts 21st annual SGC
Last month, Shawnee State University hosted the 21st annual Shawnee Game Conference (SGC) at the SSU Kricker Innovation Hub. Hundreds of SSU students, High School students, game developers, artists, vendors, and other community members attended SGC, the oldest academic gaming conference in the Midwest. The Hub, which is the bridge between campus and community in Southern Ohio, was proud to host the SGC for the first time.
"We were thrilled to host the Shawnee Game Conference at the Kricker Innovation Hub," said Dane Simpkins, SGC Coordinator. "It was an incredible opportunity to bring together students, developers, and industry professionals to celebrate the gaming industry."
Speakers representing all facets of gaming led interesting workshops and round table discussions. Tim Rodabaugh, Staff Consultant Software Engineer at Ball Aerospace, gave one of the keynote talks entitled ‘Using Game Technology for Military Modeling and Simulation’. Tim focused on how game design students have a plethora of transferable skills in both the field of simulation and the broader technology ecosystem.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the event,” said Tim. “The Shawnee State campus is beautiful, and I'm looking forward to seeing what is accomplished with the Kricker Innovation Hub. Seeing the creativity and ingenuity that went into the student projects was both enlightening and inspiring. Everyone with whom I interacted was approachable, friendly, and capable which is a testament to the quality of the institution. I came away with a high opinion of not only the event itself but also a high opinion of the students, educators, and administration.”
Jarryd Huntley, Lead Performance Engineer at Owlchemy Labs, was another keynote speakers. His session, entitled ‘Your Career: Charting your Path Forward’, touched on how game design students can find their way in an ever-growing industry.
“I had such a great time at SGC. There were so many knowledgeable speakers and great opportunities to chat, network, and get to know people.” - Jarryd Huntley, Owlchemy Labs
“I had such a great time at SGC,'“ said Jarryd. “There were so many knowledgeable speakers and great opportunities to chat, network, and get to know people. I also really had fun checking out the student made games.”
SSU boasts the 9th ranked game design program in the country according to the Princeton Review. Students come from all over the country to gain knowledge and industry experience they’ll be able to use post graduation.
SGC is a great opportunity for upperclassmen to showcase the games they’ve created during their time on campus. Students also get to compete in game tournaments, take part in the expo area, and connect with industry professionals.
“SGC is always a highlight of the year for our game design students," said David Kilroy, Director of the Hub. "It's a chance for them to show off their hard work and network with professionals in the industry. The conference provides a platform for students to gain exposure and receive feedback on their projects, and it's always exciting to see what they've been working on. It's also a fantastic opportunity for industry professionals to connect with up-and-coming talent and see what the next generation of game designers is capable of.”
“We are proud to be able to provide this experience to our students and the wider gaming community. The Hub is the bridge between campus and community, so we decided to host it here in a very intentional way. SGC has become a nexus of both industry professionals and academics.”
The Hub will host the next Shawnee Game Conference in the Fall of 2023. For more information or to get involved, visit https://www.shawneegamecon.com/ or email dsimpkins@shawnee.edu.
"As we move forward, we aim to make SGC bigger and better each year," said Dane. "We're constantly looking for new ways to improve the conference and provide more value to our attendees. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone in the gaming community feels like they belong. We're excited to see what the future holds for SGC and can't wait to continue to support and promote the industry."
