Sign-ups are open for Global Game Jam 2016, being held on the last weekend of this month. If you’re free, I would urge you to take part. Game jams are a great way to develop new skills, practice existing ones, and even break through creative barriers by working with new people and getting exposure to new ideas.

Don’t feel constrained by any worries you might have about your technical skills. The Global Game Jam allows for board games, card games, etc. Even if you do end up on a team making a digital game, there’s always room to take duties other than coding.

Game design is, depending on your point of view, either an art or an applied science. Either way, the only way to get better at it is to practice. Game jams are an ideal way to put a lot of practice into a small time frame; take advantage of the opportunity!