THEME

Does it seem to you that the world has become a little inauthentic? People don't go far for a lie and things online appear different than they actually are. Have you noticed any games that promise one thing, but deliver another?

Let's together explore the World of Authenticity in this game jam! What does it mean for a game to be authentic? Can you make a game that shows off how inauthentic all the things are? How about a game incorporating lying? Any game that works with authenticity (or inauthenticity), in any way will be considered thematic.

The theme of GDS Jam 2023 is "AUTHENTICITY".

WHAT?

GDS JAM 2023 is a traditional 48h hackathon in making games organised by Gamedev at Charles University in cooperation with the Game Developers Session. This year's main partner and sponsor is Wargaming, who will have members present at the jam, so you can stop by and chat with them! An additional sponsor are Unity and Yahaha.

Anybody can sign up and compete for honor and fun. Game jams are here to bring people of various skills keen on game development together; an opportunity to meet new friends, acquire new skills, try out new ideas, and be creative. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned game developer, GDS JAM 2023 is for you. Top three teams will get free access to the Game Developer's Session, where the final winner will be announced!

Our game jams are open to anyone willing to create a video game. We are glad that the atmosphere at our site is friendly and all participants share their experience and help each other to develop a game.  Furthermore, game development lecturers and industry professionals will be available on-site to help you solve your issues during development.

At the end of the jam, all participants will be able to vote for their favourite game from the jam receiving a PEOPLE’S AWARD of GDS JAM 2023!

This year's jam limit has been raised to 150 participants, if you're still interested, join quickly! Only the first 150 joined on itch.io will be allowed to enter the real-life site, make sure all your team members are here! 

WHERE?

The game jam will be hosted by Gamedev at Charles University at the Malá Strana building on Malostranské náměstí 25, Prague.  We will provide each participant with a comfortable seat for work, internet access, basic kitchen appliances, and some refreshments to enjoy the jam and really focus on the game and collaboration with your friends and colleagues. 

Facilities provided: 

1) Toasters, kettles, pots, dishes and all the elementary kitchen equipment

2) 25 comfortable floating beds (if you take a sleeping bag, it is easy to get some sleep in one of the empty rooms)

3) Showers

4) Working space

WHEN?

All the time-related events are expressed in CEST (=Prague time)

Friday 24.11.2023

14:00 - Site is open - We will be glad for any help provided to get things ready

17:30 - Opening speech by organizers

18:00 - JAM THEME announcement

18:00 - JAM STARTS! You have 48 hours to create your game

Saturday 25.11.2023

A full day devoted to game jamming!

12:00 - Screenshot Noon - Send a screenshot of your game to the itch.io forum of this jam

14:00-15:00 - Take a moment and think about the remaining work on your game. Lecturers will regularly cruise the site to help you

Sunday 26.11.2023

12:00 - Screenshot Noon - Send a screenshot of your game to the itch.io forum of the jam

16:00 - Time is running up!

18:00 - Jam ends!

18:00 - Submissions through itch.io are closed (HARD deadline!)

18:00 - Voting period starts!

Monday 27.11.2023

23:59 - Deadline for submitting your 1-2min gameplay video to GDS Jam 2023 (add it to your itch.io submission page)

Wednesday 29.11.2023

17:00 - Announcement of the top three games, whose teams will get free access to Game Developers Conference 2023

Sunday 26.11.2023 - Sunday 3.12.2023

Voting time! All jam submitters + contributors may vote for the The People’s Award of GDS JAM 2023

3.12.2023 14:00 - Voting ENDs!

Friday 8.12.2023

Game Developer's Session - Announcing the best game of of GDS JAM 2023!

PRIZES?

Nothing can replace the feeling of creating and experimenting with something new. However, we will still like to give some form of feedback and appreciation for your creations.

All participants will receive a discount code for the GDS Conference 2023

Beyond that, there are several prizes available for participants in two categories:

1. GDS JAM 2023 Best Game Award (as voted by the panel of judges) - top three teams in this category will receive the certificate signed by our jury and Tickets to GDS Conference 2023.  The top team will be announced at the GDS Conference. What will be the main prize will be announced at the opening speech of the jam.

2.  The People’s Award of GDS JAM 2023 (as voted by participants) - will be announced and receive a signed certificate from organisers and more. What will be the prize will be announced at the opening speech of the jam.

VOTING?

All participants who will submit a game or who will be contributors to some submission may vote on the games. Note that you will NOT be able to update your submissions during the voting period to ensure fairness! Although, you can still modify your webpage however you want.

There will be 7 categories for ranking the games:

• Overall impression (PRIMARY CATEGORY)
• Theme (is the game related to the theme?)
• Innovation (is gameplay innovative?)
• Fun (is the game fun to play?)
• Controls (game controls are snappy, easy to play with?)
• Visuals (nice looking game?)
• Music & Sounds (nice audio in the game?)

SIGN UP?

Register itch.io account or login if you have one and click on "Join jam" button above (scroll up).

COMMUNITY?

Facebook Event to share with / invite your friends!

GDS 2023 Discord - there is dedicated channel for jammers! Everybody should join as there can be various announcements!

RULES?

Max team size - 4 jammers; join the jam; submit your game on time to itch.io!

The build must run either on Windows 10+ based computer and/or Android 6.0+ mobile device; if you're targeting WebGL, make sure to make it compatible with at least one of the mentioned devices.

Please, read and respect our Code of Conduct, Terms & Conditions and Rules

NOTE THAT AS PART OF SUBMISSION, YOU NEED TO FILL OUT THIS FORM WITHIN 24 HOURS OF JAM ENDING

See you soon!

ORGANISERS