The first Serious Game Jam in Slovenia is set to start soon! Registration is open (), the timetable () is available! 

As part of the Gaming Gets Serious project, the French Institute in Slovenia , the Goethe-Institut Ljubljana , the Slovenia Games Association  and Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, in partnership with Outfit7, are inviting you to a "very serious" Game Jam event happening from 12.11. to 14.11.2021 

 There is one GOAL: MAKE a video GAME in 48 hours  (we take care of the rest)

 There is one CONDITION: The game should contain a socially engaged message.

 GAME JAM THEME: Forgetting...

 EVERYONE is welcome! 

Participants will be given the opportunity to follow two preparatory masterclasses in the field of Game Design, led by Slovenian , German  and French  experts. Teams participating in the Game Jam will be encouraged and mentored by international mentors.

The Game Jam is NOT ONLY meant for programmers, designers, sound engineers or experts in storytelling techniques with experience in the field of hackathons and video game design BUT also at all those who want to contribute to the creativity of (video) games, regardless of their education or roots. In addition to specialized and beginner teams, we will also strongly encourage mixed groups.

 PARTICIPATION 

 Participation is restricted to people aged 18 or older. Participants aged 16 or 17 may register if they provide a written authorisation, signed by their legal representative

 General Terms and Conditions are available on the registration website (see above)

 Friday 12 November 2021 @ Discord - SloveniaGames  (https://discord.gg/qCpFvkc)

- 17.45-18.15 – Kick-off, presentation of the partners and rules

- 18.15-19.15 – Keynotes, announcement of the Game Jam’s topic

- 19.15-20.00 – Break the ice! Social time @ Gartic Phone

- 20.00-21.00 – Brainstorm – Form the teams

- 21.00-21.30 – Concept pitches

- 21.30 onwards – START

 Saturday 13 November 2021 @ Discord - SloveniaGames  (https://discord.gg/qCpFvkc)

- 10.00-12.00 – Workshop time (optional)

- 18.00-19.00 – Pitching demo and playtest session

 Sunday 14 November 2021 @ Discord - SloveniaGames  (https://discord.gg/qCpFvkc)

- 10.00-12.00 – Workshop time (optional)

- Until 16.00 – Submission of the games

- 16.30-17.30 – Short presentations of the games

- 17.30-18.00 – Social time / Jury deliberation

- 18.00-18.45 – Proclamation of the winners

- 18.45-19.30 – Conclusion & Next steps teaser

 Wednesday 17 November 2021

@ YouTube - SloveniaGames 

- 17.30-18.30 – Round-table: videogame as a media

- 18.30-19.30 – Awards ceremony

 Awards  (Terms and Conditions apply)

The prizes are, for the following categories: 

-  BEST GAME: gaming consoles 

-  BEST SOUND: gaming headphones 

-  BEST ART: mini-portable projectors 

-  BEST NON-DIGITAL GAME: e-readers 

-  BEST "WIN-WIN" SITUATION: board games bundle & picnic blankets 

-  DIVERSITY AWARD: game design books bundle & picnic blankets 

-  BEST TEAM PITCH: skateboards

And more prizes for the best non-digital game, best "win-win" situation, best team pitch and the special diversity & inclusiveness award!

The event is organized by the French Institute in Slovenia, the Goethe-Institut Ljubljana, the Slovenia Games Association and the Faculty of Computer and Information Science of the University of Ljubljana with the support of the Franco-German Cultural Fund and in partnership with Outfit7. The event also takes place as part of Digital November, a celebration of the digital cultures of the French cultural network abroad.

 Q&A 

 What is a game jam?

 The goal of any “game jam” is to come together and to create a videogame OR a non-digital (analog) game – like a board game or a card game. We ask participants to create a game from the beginning to the end in a prescribed time – 48 hours in the case of the Serious Game Jam. The brief time span is meant to help encourage creative thinking. This results in small and experimental games.

 What is the theme of the Serious Game Jam? Why is this Game Jam “serious”?

 There is one guideline: to create a socially-engaged game, a game which carries a message for your community or society. A more precise topic will be revealed at the beginning of the Serious Game Jam!

 Is the Serious Game Jam a competition?

 The Serious Game Jam mostly encourages collaboration, creativity, innovation and sense of community. In this sense, and although awards will be given to the teams that created the best games, it is not a competition per se.

 Can I participate from home?

 YES! Although the Serious Game Jam is scheduled to take place live, people who cannot go to Ljubljana in November can join from anywhere in the world. In the days before the Game Jam, we will share the link towards an online community platform (Slack, Discord, Facebook, etc) where participants will be able to form teams and create a game over the weekend.

 What if there is a lockdown in Slovenia?

 The Serious Game Jam WILL take place, regardless of the measures in force in Slovenia. However, the organisers reserve the right to reorganise the event and to implement an online / remote version of the event, should the current measures in effect in Slovenia change and the health situation deteriorate significantly.

In such a case, all participants will be informed of the changes on time.

 Can I make a board game or a card game instead of a videogame?

 YES! We support and even encourage the making of non-digital games.

 Do I need to come to the event with a team already formed?

 There is no need to come to the Jam with a team. The idea is for everyone to form teams on the opening day of the jam and thus to get the chance to work with new people. All participants will have some time to meet, brainstorm, think and pitch an idea.

 Do I need specific skills in order to take part in the Serious Game Jam?

 Experience is not necessary. Designers, developers, artists, musicians, philosophers, historians, political scientists, linguists, anyone is welcome to give it a try! Participants can learn many new skills and support their team by contributing ideas, playtesting, and giving moral support.

 Do I have to use any kind of engine, tool or software?

 No! Any engine, tool, piece of software, person or physical object can be used.

 Do I need to register to participate?

 Registration on Eventbrite is warmly recommended, but not compulsory.

 I want to sleep on the premises, is it possible?

 Yes. Provided that the Serious Game Jam takes place live / on site, a special silent room will be dedicated to participants wishing to take some time off to rest or sleep. However, due to the sanitary situation, participants will be asked to bring their own sleeping equipment or material along with them.

 Will I have special equipment at my disposal?

 Participants will be kindly asked to bring their own equipment with them. Additional screens may be provided upon request. Nevertheless, the organisers cannot be held liable for any damage or theft pertaining to the personal equipment used by the participants.

 Who owns the intellectual property of games made during the Serious Game Jam?

 The team/makers of the game hold all IP rights. However, the organisers may use the games for demonstration. All games must be posted in the condition they are in as of the close of the event, including both executable and source code (or equivalent). All participants and all games entered for the Serious Game Jam must agree to a Creative Commons, share, alter, no sell license. Third party tools and software may be used in the projects and must not be uploaded or shared.

 Liability

 We expect that no team / makers of a game will illegally exploit others' IP, and that in turn, everything created becomes part of the public domain. All participants agree that their participation in the Serious Game Jam will hold no one liable for any loss or damage.