Submissions open from 2023-05-21 07:00:00 to 2023-06-04 07:00:00
Submissions due in
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This jam is all about MINI-GAMES!

Create a mini-game that would exist as part of a larger game. This could be an existing IP or fictional IP. It could be as simple as a Warioware level, to a workout mini-game like in No More Heroes, to the pull-up challenge like in FF7R, and many others. 


Creative Theme: Future Economics 

Interpretations of how economies could work in the future. alternative forms of currency. 


Theme Ingredients:

(Ingredients are additional ideas related to the theme to help focus your creativity. )

  • Home Spice - Imagine a future economy for a specific country or city. Maybe your home country or home town. 
  • Salt & Pepper - Imagine a general future economy that can be used for many places, not specific to any one country or town. 
  • Virtual Spice - Future economies for video games. What’s next for the industry that would give better results for players and studios alike?


Food Dish: Pound Cake

Pound cake (aka Bundt Cake) is a diverse cake that is found in many parts frequently in African America families but also in other parts of the diaspora. It was Tim's grandma's most requested cake all the way til she made transition.  The thickness and ease to eat with or without a fork makes pound cake a perfect cake for snacking and taking on the go. Folks have all kinds of variations of the cake - lemon, hibiscus, cinnamon, Jamaican rum cake, etc.


In-Person Jam Space

ATTN! If you're in the LA area, join us in Culver City to Co-Work in-person on Saturday, May 27th and Sunday, May 28th.

(Address will be provided closer to the date)

SIGN UP BELOW

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hvtqtMJaYERapIVYmzymPDV9MByGBBIxiPUIGCVbgso/edit?usp=drivesdk


Rules and More Details

This jam is open to both digital and analog interactive experiences – choose the medium that excites you!

Important!

  • Join our Discord to discuss the theme, share resources, and find team members! Collaboration is a key part of our culture.  Most community conversation for this jam will happen via the MGK Discord
  • We encourage you to jam with new people or on a team, but it is not required. We will be providing resources for team forming at the jam kickoff and throughout the jam timeline for those who want to jam based on the theme.
  • During the Showcase/Feedback Session, constructive feedback and positive reinforcement will be the focus. Building for the future and collaboration are about lifting everyone up together.
  • All participants must follow MGK’s Code of Conduct (see below)


This jam is for creators of all relevant skills and experience levels, regardless of whether you have made interactive experiences before or not. Writing, art, design, music/sound design, programming, playtest expertise, etc. There are some skill experts in the discord group that can help out when you need (we're continually bringing in new skill experts to cover more focus areas.)


We highly recommend submitting your in-progress game even if you don't finish over the course of the jam, as you can always submit a more complete version later. And we love to learn more about what everyone worked on! We hope to share everyone's progress, regardless of full game completion, during our closing showcase stream.


"I want to join the fun but don't want to make anything." Bet. We'll be streaming some of our co-work sessions and our showcase. During those events, non-participants can join in discussions, brainstorming, and feedback sessions.


If you can't make this game jam, no worries. This is a jam "series". We will be doing more jams this year. So sign up for the MGK Newsletter to be notified when we announce the next jam in the series!

Discord Link: https://discord.gg/cbVpD5mkrd

MGK Newsletter Signup Form: http://eepurl.com/httsfT

Please sign up for our mailing list to be notified about future major Jam announcements.

(Your email will ONLY be used for important announcements related to the game jam series or the Melanated Game Kitchen.)

Code of Conduct

We will not tolerate sexism, racism, or discrimination of any kind. This means, in our community and in the games you create.

Jam Schedule

We will be hosting  online activities to support jammers in meeting and preparation. This list will update over time. 

  • April 28:  Meet & Game - Meet other participants in the jam and let's talk games together. 
  • Saturday, May 6: Theme Discussion 1
  • Saturday May 13: Cooking Session: Pound Cake Bake
  • Sunday, May 21: Jam Kickoff Day!  
  • Sunday, May 21: Co-Work Session @ 4pm pst
    • Skill Mentor: TBA
  • Friday, May 26: Co-Work Session @ 6pm pst
    • Skill Mentor: TBA
  • Sunday, May 28: Co-Work Session @ 4pm pst
    • Skill Mentor: TBA
  • Friday, June 2: Co-Work Session @ 6pm pst
    • Skill Mentor: TBA
  • Sunday, June 4: Submissions Due @ 3pm pst
  • Sunday, June 4: Showcase & Feedback Session @ 5pm pst - Let's play games from the jam and share feedback! 

Works

Recipes


Readings (Future Economics)


Videos (Future Economics)


Games (Future Economics)


Games (Mini Games)

General Works for the Culture Bytes Jam Series

Recommended Tools/Engines/Platforms

Here are some common tools/engines:

  • Digital
    • Unity
    • Unreal Engine 4
    • Game Maker
    • Godot Engine
    • RPG Maker
    • Twine
    • Storyspace
    • Bitsy
    • Pico-8
  • Analog
    • Tabletop RPG
    • Board Game

Resources

Art

Fonts

Audio

Tools

Culture Bytes

Culture Bytes is a series of game jams aimed at creating unique interactive experiences, under the context of ideas, perspectives, issues, and themes relevant to members of various Diasporas, over a 1-2 week period. Exploring the African Diaspora is the current focus of the jam series.

The purpose of this jam series is:

  1. To create experiences centered on themes relevant to members of Diasporas (i.e. African Diaspora, Indian Diaspora, Chinese Diaspora, etc.);For the African Diaspora that means: African American, African, Afro-Latin, Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, Jamaican, and many other groups.
  2. To give creators more time to make something interesting without being as stressed/pressed for time.
  3. To collaborate and foster creative friendships in our journeys for self expression and our collective futures.

Volunteer to help with future game jams

We are aiming to make this a great experience for everyone involved and to continue to improve this jam. We are looking for more team members! If you are interested in helping with the jam series or the jam, fill out this survey and we'll be in touch!

Volunteer Signup Form: https://forms.gle/evmQ3DjUZsWckiwT7


F.A.Q.

  • Do I need to be a member of the African Diaspora to participate?
    • Nah. Anyone and everyone can (and should) participate! The biggest thing we ask is that you utilize the resources that are given for the jam and make an effort to see from the perspective of people who are of the African Diaspora.
  • Who is included in the African Diaspora?
    • Anyone that has ancestral heritage connected to Africa. That meaning, Brazilian, Jamaican, Haitian, Spanish, African-American, and many other groups.
  • What is Pan-Africanism?
    • "Pan Africanism is a political philosophy that represents a belief in the laws and representation that benefit Africans across the Diaspora. Ideological Ideas: Collectivism, Independent Political Representation, Ubuntu The Flag: The colors represent the blood of our Ancestors, the melanin of the original people, and the wealth and prosperity of our African homeland." - panafricanalliance.com
  • What is the Melanated Game Kitchen?
    • The Melanated Game Kitchen is a growing community of game devs from across the African Diaspora, working together to create interactive works "for da culture." Make friends, share ideas, create. Thanks for joining our kitchen!