University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

Ten innovative students from University of Advancing Technology (UAT) showcased their creativity and technical skill at the Uniting the Valley Game Jam, held November 1–2 at the Media and Immersive Experience (MIX) Center in Mesa, Arizona. Sponsored by Unity Technologies, the event brought together top talent from across the state, including teams from other universities in Arizona. 

Each university fielded two teams of five students, all tasked with building a complete game from scratch in just over 24 hours. The challenge’s theme—“Creepy”—set the tone for a weekend filled with eerie ideas, spooky aesthetics, and inventive gameplay. Participants transformed the chilling prompt into everything from haunted puzzle adventures to unsettling narrative experiences, using Unity as their development engine of choice. 

UAT’s two teams combined their diverse expertise in Game Design, Game Programming, and Game Art and Animation to deliver imaginative interpretations of the theme. The university’s emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning was evident as students brainstormed, prototyped, and iterated late into the night. The pressure of the time limit tested not only their technical proficiency but also their teamwork and problem-solving abilities—skills UAT students have honed throughout their coursework.

A special highlight of the event was a mentorship session with Bradston Henry, Senior Advocate from Unity Technologies. Henry offered participants valuable insights into the professional game development pipeline, optimization strategies, and creative design thinking. His guidance helped teams refine their mechanics and polish their projects before the final presentations. 

The completed games were evaluated by a panel of judges from Arizona’s local game development community, who scored entries based on creativity, technical execution, and overall player experience. Judges praised the students’ innovative takes on the “creepy” theme and the impressive quality of games created in such a short timeframe. 

For UAT’s participants, Uniting the Valley was more than just a competition—it was a chance to collaborate with peers from across Arizona, learn from industry professionals, and gain real-world experience under tight deadlines. Events like this underscore UAT’s commitment to preparing students for successful careers in the interactive entertainment industry while fostering a spirit of creativity, community, and continuous innovation. 

Think you’ve got what it takes for the next Game Jam? Level up your skills at UAT—where gamers become game developers. Apply Today!