Overview

The GDS society are hosting an Arcade Jam from Monday December 1st to Friday December 5th! The objective is to make a game for the arcade machines in Flaxman.

There is no theme, but we'd really like to see traditional arcade features, such as an attract mode, highscore table, and short play sessions!

Arcade Machine Information

The arcade machines run Windows 11, and can run any executable built for windows like normal, so you can develop a game the same way as any other jam!

There are two arcade machines you can develop for; the standard 2-player machine, and the lightgun machine.

The standard 2-player arcade machine has two sets of player inputs, each containing a joystick, start and coin button, and 6 miscellaneous buttons. Button inputs map to key presses according to the chart below:

The current Sinden lightgun machine is identical to the standard 2-player machine, with the addition of a Sinden lightgun as a third player. The lightgun moves the mouse pointer. Firing triggers the left mouse button input, and the under barrel pump triggers the right mouse button input. Only one lightgun is connected.

If you want to develop a Sinden lightgun game with Unreal, a downloadable framework is available to be downloaded and used on the GDS Discord.

More details about the arcade machines can be found in the downloadable slides on the GDS Discord.

All submissions will be considered for a place on the arcade machines!

Team Details

• You can work solo, or in a team 
• No team size limit 
• All team members must be current students of the University of Staffordshire
•  Participation is free, no need to get a GDS membership
• Send a message in the discord if you want to find other teammates! 

Submission Instructions 

• First, make sure one member of your team has a free itch.io account (https://itch.io/register).
• Next, create a new project (https://itch.io/game/new) to upload your files & submit your work.
  • Make sure you submit a packaged build, otherwise we may not be able to play your project from game files alone.
  • It's also a good idea to take screenshots and record a video of your game, so even if your build doesn't work, it can still be viewed!
  • Make sure the pricing is set to $0 or free, and the visibility is set to public, otherwise we will not be able to download your work!
• You can add your teammates to your project and allow them to edit the page by adding them as an admin, under More -> Admins.
• When you're ready to submit, click Join Jam at the top of this page.
• Select your game, and click Submit your project.

Rules

• AI generated content is not allowed.
• Feel free to use asset packs or other third party assets if you have the rights to use them. If you do, you must credit them properly in your game's description, (even if the creator doesn't require credit) so we know what parts of the game you made!
• You may use work that you created before the Jam started, but if you do, also make sure you mention this in your game's description!
• Games must be SFW!
• No limit on engine, feel free to use any game engine you like!
• If itch is down during the submission period, we may extend the submission time!

Judging

After the Jam finishes on Friday 5th of December, the winners will be announced on the 10th (The following Wednesday). The categories are:

Overall Winner - we're looking for a game that:

• Implements classic arcade features such as an attract mode, high score table, and short play sessions.
• Has a creative premise 
• Feels finished and complete
• Is fun to play!

Best Lightgun Game - we're looking for a game that:

• Uses the lightgun input system
• Feels finished and complete
• Is fun to play!

Best Retro Game - we're looking for a game that:

• Authentically recreates retro arcade visuals
• Pays homage to classic arcade games and design patterns
• Is unique and creative

A single submission can win in multiple categories!

Prizes

The prize for the overall winner is a £50 steam gift card, to be shared by the team.

Due to SU rules, to receive this prize your team must contain a member with GDS membership (you can purchase a membership after the winners have been announced).

The other two categories have no prize.

Most Importantly

Make sure to have fun!