Students from Georgia State University’s Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) took home top honors at the 2025 Gwinnett County Public Library Game Jam, one of Georgia’s most anticipated student game development showcases. The competition, which accepted submissions from March 1 to April 18, concluded with a showcase and awards ceremony on May 3. GSU students earned 7 of the event’s 13 awards, demonstrating excellence across multiple major categories.
This year’s theme, “A Delicate Balance,” invited participants to interpret the prompt on their own terms. CMII students responded with a diverse range of creative visions—delivering games that spanned from fast-paced action and cyber-futurist thrillers to character-driven stories and satire. Recognition went to both collaborative teams and solo developers, reflecting the breadth of talent nurtured at CMII.
Hog Heist, developed by Chris Calbert, CJ Joyner, Jesus Kandayeya, and Mara Spiro, won Best Game Overall and Best Sound Design. In this chaotic and comedic heist game, players take control of a kleptomaniac hog—grabbing everything from artwork and benches to light fixtures and even people—before making a fast getaway in a waiting truck. Hog Heist is available to play at: https://cjoyner150.itch.io/hog-heist and https://store.steampowered.com/app/3823050/Hog_Heist/
“Over the past few years, I had the privilege of getting to know Chris, CJ, Jesus, and Mara in Programming for Games II and Fundamentals of Game Art, and I was always impressed by their talents and work ethic in their individual assignments and games,” stated CMII instructor Fernando Aragon. “Seeing them come together and collaborate on Hog Heist for the GCPL Game Jam was like superheroes teaming up to form the Avengers. Truly special.”
System.Dive/ earned three major awards: Best Visual Novel, Best Gameplay Experience, and Best Technical Execution. Created by a team working under the name Hyperment Studios, the game delves into an alternate reality where the boundary between man and machine is only a step away. With help from your virtual partner, Diva, players navigate deep into the digital landscape to uncover the truth behind a cryptic email. System.Dive/ is available at: https://pseudokuno.itch.io/systemdive
Hyphen, developed by Katie Ryckeley, won Best Narrative. The solo project explores personal identity and transformation through a reflective and carefully structured story. It can be played at: https://kashewzl.itch.io/hyphen
Dragon Bachelors, created by Vivian Wagoner, received the Wild Card award. A comedic visual novel and her first attempt at the genre, the project also served as her final assignment in CMII instructor Fernando Aragon’s Fundamentals of Game Art course in Spring 2025. The game is available at: https://weegee-beast.itch.io/dragon-bachelors
“The variety and quality of these games speak to the strength of our students,” said Brennen Dicker, Executive Director of CMII. “Whether they worked as part of a team or built something entirely on their own, each student brought creative focus, technical ability, and follow-through to the table. We’re proud of what they’ve accomplished and excited to see what comes next.”
For more information about the Creative Media Industries Institute and its Game Design program, visit cmii.gsu.edu.
About the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII)
The Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) is a leading hub for media arts education and innovation, dedicated to preparing students for careers in the ever-evolving creative and media industries. Through cutting-edge programs, industry partnerships and state-of-the-art facilities, CMII offers a dynamic environment for students to explore their creative potential and pursue their passion for storytelling and media production.