It all began with a Time Machine. When the crowd gathered on the first day of the Indie Galactic Space Jam on Friday, the excitement faded as the bay door slowly opened. The Vu Studios area in South Orlando was the perfect setting for an event like this. Attendees eagerly waited as Kunal Patel, the co-organizer of Indienomicon, arrived in a recreated version of the car from the movie “Back to the Future.” The purpose of this stunt was to kick off the 10-year-old event in a memorable way. “We believe in creating lasting memories,” said Patel. “For Indienomicon, we value connections and showcasing our region. It was important for us to create a significant memory or a landmark in people’s minds. So we did something grand, something entertaining.”
Hackathons: Explored
Over the course of three days, nine teams developed games and other technological products aimed at assisting businesses in the space industry with their training techniques. One team focused on a virtual reality training tool that incorporated gamified learning experiences. Another team created a game where players controlled an astronaut building a structure on Mars. A third team developed a couch co-op game called “Canaveral, We Have A Problem,” requiring players to collaborate in VR to prevent a disaster on an asteroid’s surface.
The “Canaveral” team faced various challenges, but their determination and teamwork led them to win the top prize of $2,500. “We had to come together,” stated Juan Rivera, a media design instructor at Orange County Library System. “We identified the obstacles and worked collectively to overcome them.”
A puzzle game named “Starlight Sweetheart,” which utilized constellations to guide a lost traveler home, secured the third-place prize of $500. The game “Martian Mania,” focused on constructing facilities, won second place and received $1,500.
“Using technology to build a community is inspiring,” remarked Robert Katz, one of the judges at the event. “People form friendships, teams, and even companies here.”
As the doors of the DeLorean swung open, Kunal Patel emerged holding a hot-pink hoverboard, another iconic item from the film. After joking about his tardiness and the necessity of a time machine, Patel shifted his focus to the upcoming weekend. “We have a vibrant community here in Orlando now,” he emphasized. “Studios have been established, friendships have been forged, and numerous successes have been achieved.” Patel’s ability to balance technical expertise with a fun and engaging presentation style contributes to ensuring that all participants feel comfortable at game jams.
“When you work in technology, you may not always be the most outgoing or comfortable speaking on stage,” explained Patel, who acknowledged his previous shyness. “But by putting myself in situations where I needed to speak, things changed, and opportunities arose.
