Clearly, the most defining time the past week must have been the Global Game Jam this weekend. With almost 50 signed-up jammers, many of them present the whole 48 hours at Dock18 and six games that resulted officially and a whole more game sketches that can’t be found on the site, this second jam was clearly a success. Whoever didn’t make it missed an opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions on games, learn a new programming language or game engine and generally having a blast. Check out the awesome games of the participants over here, connect with @SwissGameJam over at Twitter to see what has happened and connect with the participants.

That is not to say that nothing else has happened the past week. Not at all. Mario von Rickenbach’s success with Mirage prompted a nice article over at 20 Minuten, right beside an article on Hollow Grounds, the new game by Jeremy Spillmann (which, unfortunately, is not online).

NZZ, which has quite different target audience compared to 20 Minuten has been writing about games as well – specifically games for the elderly. One of those has been produced at the ZHdK as a research collaboration with the University of Zurich and wants to find out whether gaming actually improves the cognitive performance of the player. With gamers of the first hour getting older and older, making games for the elderly has to be a winning strategy – better start now!

Getting attention for your app is always good, and winning an award for your hard work is a great opportunity go get such attention. The Swiss App Awards, held on March 21st 2012, will do just that. Upload your app over at swissappawards.ch until February 17th, have it judged by the panel and receive glory and fame!

One of those apps might well be Pingwin Adventures by Feinheit, a Zurich graphic design and web agency. In the well known tradition of flying penguins you have to collect fish by jumping over and under icebergs. Perfect for enjoying a chilly winter from within your cozy living room.

Up next

Whether you have been part of the Global Game Jam or not, don’t miss the opportunity to try out all games at the GGJ Play Party on February 3rd 2012, again at Dock18. Not to mention the fact that music will be provided by Cäsèr L. Böndelöder. In case that name made you curious, you might find out more over here …