The Bedroom Programmer's Jam is a game jam for novice and casual programmers.

The goal is to improve your programming skills. Therefore, no game engines or other fancy tools are allowed that take over the gameplay programming for you.

Any programming language and any game framework is allowed, provided that it doesn't relieve you of programming the gameplay. Examples of game frameworks are SFML, SDL, Löve, MonoGame, or Raylib.

Join our discord community

We'll meet there on the #bedroom-programmers-jam channel. Feel free to ask any question that comes to your mind, including technical programming questions. From time to time we will also post some tips, especially about C/C++ and Raylib.

Targets of the Jam and rules

Develop a dungeon crawler that follows the mechanics of Minesweeper. Whatever your game is about - exploring the dungeon, finding treasures, fighting monsters - if you move inside the dungeon, the Minesweeper rules apply. As in the original game, numbers on the surrounding fields indicate where bombs (or other threats) are hidden. What could it look like? Well, that's up to your imagination. The picture above is just one example that cleverly combines the different game concepts.

The following rules and minimum requirements apply:

• 2D playing board (scrollable or single window)
• Random positions of the mines
• Fields show number of adjacent mines
• Fields without a number reveal all adjacent fields
• Moveable character (field by field)
• Character uncovers fields
• Players have life points and optional additional items
• Levels can be generated procedurally, or defined as a level file
• There must be at least one playable level, a main menu and optional credits
• Setting is completely freely selectable

General rules:

• No Swearing, no extremism, no hate
• No drugs, no alcohol, no smoking
• No Adult Content
• Kid Friendly
• HAVE FUN!

FAQ:

I am an absolute beginner, which  programming language and framework should I use?

The choice of the framework also depends on the programming language. Löve, for example, is a framework for the LUA programming language while Raylib is for C/C++ but has many language bindings such as C#, Python, Go, Nim and more... Both libraries are only mentioned here as examples. In any case both are very suitable for beginners.

Can I use code from the Internet?

To take over code fragments directly or analogously is ok under the following conditions: First, you own the rights or license to the code you take over. Second, you limit the adoption of code to a minimum. For example, you are not allowed to use another third-party library. Third, you make it clear that you have used code by indicating the source and paying tribute to the author in your game credits.

Can I use assets (graphics, sound files, etc.) from the Internet?

Of course, provided you have the appropriate rights to use the assets. Please pay careful attention to this. Please always mention the source and honor the authors of the assets in your game credits. It is very welcome if you also create assets yourself.

Is this a ranked jam? Who can vote on entries?

Entries are voted on and ranked. Voting ist done by submitters only, means a submission uploader can vote on other entries. Submitters rate the following attributes:

• Gameplay: Implementation of Minesweeper core mechanics
• Gameplay: How Minesweeper and Dungeon Crawler mechanics complement each other meaningfully
• Quality and usability of the user interface (UI and game control)
• Quality and purpose of game assets
• Completeness and polished up (e.g. splash screen, easter eggs, credits, ...)