What is a Game Jam
I want to write a series of posts on a topic of game jams helping to make better games in this short amount of time that game jam gives you. But let us start from the beginning.
Game Jam
A game jam is an event where people try to make a video game in a limited time frame often with a selected theme that is revealed when the jam starts. So it will be fair for everyone. A theme adds its restrictions but also allows to think more creatively. Most game jams take place over a single weekend, where everyone has 48 hours to try to make a game.
Local and Online
Local
Local events often allow to build teams there. You can either go on stage and pitch your idea and say who you are looking for to make this game. Or listen to others pitch and ask those teams if you will fit.
Good if you want to find a team or project to work on. Or want to find a team to work on the idea you have. It is also an awesome opportunity to network and playtest the game as you are making it.
Online
Online events like Ludum Dare start at the same time around the globe and are mostly worldwide so you compete with people from all over the world, which is awesome.
Online game jams are great if you already have a team or want to participate by yourself. Or maybe you are just participating for the first time and want to see how it goes. Online game jams allow you to better concentrate on your game because you can work from a quiet place with little to no distractions.
Where
So what game jams are there?
- Ludum Dare is one of the largest and longest-running game jams. It is an awesome starting point. It has an interesting voting system where for each game you vote on you will also get other developers that participated this time voting on yours.
- Indie Speed Run is a game jam that is judged by people like Peter Molyneux, John Romero and others. It has an entry fee but also has rewards with over 5000$.
- Global Game Jam is the world’s largest game jam event taking place around the world at physical locations.
- 7 Day Fps – This is a jam where you make an fps game in 7 days. Games such as Super Hot and The Receiver came out of this jam.
- 7 Day rogue-like – You have 168 hours to make a rogue-like game.
- Your local game jams – a lot of countries / cities have their local based game jams, you just need to search for them. (For example TOJam in Toronto, Canada)
- Find more Online Game Jams on Itch.io
Next: But why should I participate in a game jam?
