Finding Growth Through Game Jams - Alumni Spotlight: Cadence Calhoun
For Cadence Calhoun, games have always been more than something to play; they've been something to make. Around age 10, a friend introduced her to Game Maker, a 2D engine designed for game creation. What started as following tutorials quickly grew into creating small games and exploring design within a thriving online community. That spark followed her into college, where Cadence chose Shawnee State’s Game Development program for both its strong reputation and its mix of creativity and software development.
Cadence recalls the everyday joys of student life: walking along the river, hanging out under the bridge, and being part of the game development club. Those small but meaningful moments shaped her connection to Portsmouth.
"I enjoyed both the learning material and the main project, and compilers have stayed with me as a topic I’ve been particularly interested in over the years." - Cadence Calhoun
Cadence recalls classes with Jim Hudson and Jason Witherell, who left a lasting impression on her approach to game development.
Since graduating from Shawnee State in 2017, Cadence has worked on software development projects in Ohio, performed live music throughout the Midwest, and continued building personal creative projects. Today, she focuses on longer-term game development while staying connected to the jam community.
ROTORNALIA and the Rush of a Jam
The spark for Cadence's latest project, ROTORNALIA, came from a deep dive into the world of arcade classics. After spending time with the precise mechanics of games like Panel de Pon, she felt a growing itch to build something of their own. The Falling Block Jam 2025 felt like a direct invitation to try.
Cadence embraced the challenge, but the initial concept was the toughest part. Venturing into the action-puzzle genre for the first time, she had to create something that felt both fresh and finely tuned.
"I’d never worked on an action-puzzle game like this before, and it was very difficult to even come up with an idea I liked... I just spent some extra time thinking through several different ideas, playing some games I like for inspiration, and reworking the mechanics until it turned into something I liked." - Cadence Calhoun
That persistence resulted in a game that merges the rotating-block chaos of a classic arcade puzzle with the strategic deduction of Minesweeper. Stepping outside her comfort zone was its own reward for Cadence. She was able to complete a game in Godot for the first time while simultaneously overcome challenges in a genre she had yet to tackle.
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Why Jams Matter
For Cadence, game jams have always been more than just a competition; they are a vital space for growth. She sees these events as a unique low stakes environment to sharpen skills through direct experience and creative problem solving.
Cadence points to this hands-on process as the core of her learning, a philosophy forged in the collaborative energy of events like those held at Shawnee State.
"With any art form or skill, the theory can only take you so far, and the vast majority of learning has to be through your own personal trial & error." - Cadence Calhoun
This belief in learning by doing is central to how Cadence operates. She find this process of discovery is crucial for understanding her own workflow and how to collaborate effectively, lessons she now carries directly into professional projects. Reflecting on her start, Cadence highlights the unique value of being surrounded by peers, which created a motivating environment that fostered spontaneous collaboration.
When I asked what advice she would give to students and new developers, Cadence keeps it simple and encouraging, focusing on the mindset rather than the mechanics.
“...don't think too hard... Accidents are basically the whole point.” - Cadence Calhoun
Community and Looking Ahead
Ask Cadence what students gain from the SSU Game Jams, and the answer goes far beyond bonus points. The real value is the connections and everyone trying to make each other smile and laugh. For her, there is something in the atmosphere during the final presentations.
"The things people make in these are always surprising and unique, even to the people making them..." - Cadence Calhoun
As for alumni, the jams have become more than just a place to flex creative muscle but a social event they return to for fun. Cadence says many people get involved with game jams for the same reasons people go to things like local concerts or art exhibits.
Looking ahead, Cadence plans to stay deeply involved in the jam scene, whether by creating games or contributing in other ways. For her, these events remain a vital source of creative exploration and connection. And that community does not end when the jam is over. The conversation continues year round in the SSUGames Discord, where students and alumni like Cadence keep the spirit alive by sharing projects, trading feedback, and inspiring each other's next big idea.
Spend the weekend at the Advanced Technology Center creating something new, connecting with fellow developers, and seeing what surprises come out of 48 hours of creativity. Don’t miss it!
About Cadence Calhoun
Cadence Calhoun is a game developer, musician, and longtime creative tinkerer based in Ohio.
- 👾 Play Her Games: muzakefron.itch.io
- 💻 Read Her Blog: blog.cadence.みんな
- 💬 Explore Her Code on Codeberg