For Bloomfield College of Montclair State University students passionate about video games, a recent trip to the 2026 Game Devs of Color Expo NYC Watch Party offered a chance to explore the industry beyond the classroom. Open to students across all Creative Arts and Technology (CAT) majors, the field trip gave attendees the opportunity to experience the world of game development firsthand.
The Game Devs of Color Expo is a virtual conference that brings together game creators to showcase their work, share their experiences and celebrate the creativity and diversity of the gaming community. For the first time, the NYC Watch Party gave Bloomfield students the opportunity to experience the online event in person alongside local developers, fellow students and gaming enthusiasts.
Throughout the event, students explored game stations featuring independent titles, tried out games created by developers and watched presentations highlighting different perspectives and experiences in the industry. The Watch Party also provided opportunities to speak with attendees about their work and learn more about the creative process behind developing games.
“So much of game design is about community, and meeting developers means our students can start building those connections on their own terms.” — GJ Lee, associate professor of Creative Arts and Technology
Exploring game development beyond the classroom
The virtual conference gave students a chance to learn more about the gaming industry from the people working in it. Through presentations and discussions, they heard different perspectives on game development, from the creative decisions behind a game to the experiences of those building careers in the field.
For Game Programming major Tim Fuentes, the Expo offered a closer look at the industry he hopes to one day be part of.
“I’ve always been into video games since I was very young, and I want to become a game programmer,” Fuentes says. “I thought this field trip would be a good opportunity to meet professional game programmers and see how the space works.”
One of the highlights of the conference was seeing the variety of ideas being brought to life by independent creators. Games can take many different forms, and the presentations offered a look at how developers use storytelling, technology and their own experiences to create something unique.
GJ Lee, associate professor in Bloomfield’s Creative Arts and Technology program, accompanied the students to the Watch Party, also sees value in introducing students to the community surrounding game development.
“So much of game design is about community, and meeting developers means our students can start building those connections on their own terms,” says Lee.
Bloomfield Faculty in the Gaming Industry
Bloomfield’s involvement in the Game Devs of Color Expo goes beyond the student field trip. Professor G.J. Lee helped open the virtual conference alongside its directors, while fellow faculty member Hatim Benhsain had his game, coalescent || tidal rapture, featured at the event.
Benhsain is developing the 3D swimming adventure game through his studio, Games for my Computer. The game follows a society of merpeople undergoing evolution and explores themes of queer relationships and connection.
“It was a huge honor to have our game featured,” Benhsain says. “We are so excited to share coalescent with the whole wide world, and this helped us get closer to that goal.”
Having faculty members involved in events like the Expo gives students another way to see how the work happening in their classrooms connects to the gaming industry. For aspiring developers, it’s a chance to learn from professors who are also contributing their own creative work to the field.
With opportunities to learn from industry professionals, discover independent projects and see their own professors’ work represented at the conference, students left with a broader picture of the possibilities ahead of them in game development.
Published
October 14, 2026
Type
Front Page News
Topic
- Academics
School or College
Bloomfield College of Montclair State University
