Create video game dating simulators at “Ship of Fools Game Jam” Feb. 4

January 28, 2026 - 23:08

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is preparing to launch a unique creative voyage. This weekend, the UTC English Department’s Narrative Design program will host the "Ship of Fools Game Jam," inviting students to craft original video game dating simulators inspired by mythological characters.

The event challenges participants to design, write, and develop short narrative games where romance and ancient myths intersect. From forging connections with Greek heroes to navigating courtship with Norse deities, the jam encourages innovative storytelling within the popular dating sim format. This hands-on project emphasizes practical skills in interactive narrative, character development, and digital storytelling, core components of the growing field of narrative design.

Scheduled for a single day of intensive creation, the jam provides a collaborative space for writers, programmers, and artists to experiment. The goal is to blend literary foundations with game development, transforming timeless myths into engaging, player-driven romantic adventures. The initiative highlights how academic programs are evolving to prepare students for careers in the expansive video game industry, focusing on the power of interactive narrative.