Make a game in our 12 hour jam!

You can join a team or work solo. Meet game developers. Learn stuff. Make games. Have fun!

Theme: Charge!

Also, there will be tea/coffee/water and food during the day.

FAQ below.

When: 9am to 9pm Saturday 27th August.
Where:
The PorterShed
Galway City

Google Maps: bit.ly/portershed

What do I need to bring?

• PC + monitor or laptop, its cables, peripherals & accessories if required
• Headphones or earphones - No speakers allowed
• Any game making equipment you think you'll need (e.g. graphics tablet, game controllers, VR headsets etc.)
• If you are travelling from outside Galway you will need to organise your own accommodation. There are hostels in the city with reasonable rates and Bed & Breakfasts on College Road are only a ten minutes walk from the venue.

Do I need to be an expert gamedev to participate?

No, not at all! The gamejam is for everyone from complete beginners to professional game devs. We will try to team up beginners with some more experienced game jammers so you can be sure to learn and have fun and have something made by the end of the event.

Is it for computer games or board games?

Everything! You can use the Galway Game Jam to make any type of game.

Can I work on a project that I've already started?

Ideally the game jam is for making something new but by all means you can work on your own project. Please state this clearly in your submission so voters can accurately judge your entry. Any work you have already done before the gamejam is not eligible for that category of prizes. If in doubt, ask! We're here to help ;)

Can I use a game engine/library/framework/asset packs/royalty-free music etc?

Yes.

Can I participate with a pre-arranged team?

Yes. As long as your team is a maximum of 5 people.

Can I take part remotely/online?

Yes. It's free to participate unless you want to enter the competition.

I'm participating online, can I still join the competition?

Join here on itch and get your ticket here: galwaygamejam7.eventbrite.com
You don't need to pay the ticket price to take part online/remotely AND you can submit your game for the competition.

What prizes are there?

Right now some small ones. We're working on that, but with our current lack of sponsors our prizes will likely be small. We're working on improving this!

Can you eat/drink at the venue?

Yes but we'd like you to observe some rules. Keep your food & drinks away from other peoples equipment. Please use the bins for any rubbish you have. Don't eat or drink anything that smells strongly in the main game jam area and tidy up after yourself.

What kind of skills would be helpful at the gamejam?

Pretty much all of them! The aim is to make stuff and have fun making. We encourage everyone to plan for a (very) small game. Something achievable in a weekend, for example, something that a single person can play in their web browser and complete in a few minutes.

These skills can be handy, but by no means definitive:

• Game Design - coming up with game mechanics in systems
• Writing - weaving a story, giving depth to the game through lore.
• Programming - trying out making a game using programming language you already know, or taking some tutorials in a game engine and bring all the pieces together.
• Art - create beautiful (or horrifying) art assets, and maybe some animation
• Audio/Music - making some noise, and some music. A great way to boost percieved production quality of a game!
• Production - organisation and time management skills. If this is a strength of yours you could take the lead in making deadlines for your team to achieve at different points over the event.
• And more!

Of course you can always use the gamejam to try something new, and I totally encourage it!

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?

The event is typically for adults. If you are under 18 years of age and want to attend, get a parent/gaurdian to contact us beforehand. info@galwaygamejam.com

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

There is a multi-story car park close to the venue. You may load/unload your vehicle at the front door.

Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?

You can contact us at info@galwaygamejam.com, on our facebook page or twitter.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, if you have some form of ID then we can tick off your name.

What is the refund policy?

If you decide you don't want to go to the event, please contact us before the event for a refund. 72 hours prior to the event we will no longer be able to refund tickets.

The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?

Yes. If any issue arises from this then you agree to follow the course of action chosen by the organisers.