A new organization on Mercer University’s Macon campus is providing a space for budding video game creators to build their skills and learn from one another. The Mercer Game Development Club, which launched in fall 2024, was recognized by the Student Government Association as the new student organization of the year in spring 2025.
Senior Rajwol Chapagain, a double-major in computer science and communication studies, said he founded the club to connect with students who shared his interest. Dr. Cameron Kunzelman, assistant professor of communication studies and theater, is a game studies scholar and serves as the club’s faculty advisor.
“Our main mission and purpose is to provide a space where people who have done game development can come together and meet other like-minded people and for people who have never done game development but are interested to have a place to jump in and get guidance,” said club president Victor Smith, a junior computer science major.
Through club activities, students not only expand their skill set but find partners and forge industry relationships, Chapagain said. Each month, the club hosts one main event, such as a workshop focusing on a game development skill or a guest speaker session. Members have learned how to make games on different platforms and create game art. They have also heard industry insights from game developers, including one who created a tabletop role playing game and another who works for Insomniac Games in Atlanta.
Vice President Miranda Straw, a sophomore computer science major, said hearing about the latter speaker’s career journey was especially beneficial to her because she plans to pursue a career in video game development.
Members meet for smaller social activities twice monthly, and every semester, the club’s executive team hosts a “game jam,” in which participants have a few days to create a video game in a given theme and prizes are awarded to the best products. Chapagain said 21 games have been created through the competition and $300 in prizes awarded so far.
Treasurer Jennifer Chen, a sophomore computer science major, said she plays video games frequently and had wanted to create her own for some time. The club gave her an outlet to learn the process and bring her ideas to life. Making a game can seem intimidating, but the club has shown her that it’s manageable.
“We’re a very niche community,” she said. “I feel like there are a lot of people here who want to create a game who don’t have the knowledge or resources to do so. So we provide most of that and a community for them to talk and get what they need and start to dream.”
The group has about 100 members in its Discord group and averages about 20 participants at its meetings and events, Smith said. Two commercial games have already been released by former club members, Chapagain said.
“I want to get more people interested in game development and show them that you can do this,” Straw said. “I’ve enjoyed meeting the people in the club. I love the community that we have made. I like that I’m making connections that I will hopefully keep after college.”
With the cross-disciplinary nature of video games, the club has attracted members with a variety of interests, including graphic design, writing, storytelling, coding and music.
“It was so interesting to meet people with so many different backgrounds,” Chapagain said. “The variety and quality of people that the club attracts, I’ve really been surprised in a positive way with the interactions I’ve had.”
Future goals for the club include hosting a “global game jam” on campus that is open to game developers outside Mercer and virtual participants and providing funding for members to participate in conferences and hackathons, Chapagain said.
“Having made games is something not many people can say they have done,” Smith said. “We are building up a community of people who are working on game development, but even after people graduate, we want to have people come in to speak who are now in the field.”
Students interested in the club can join its Discord server here.
