This jam is now over. It ran from 2022-11-26 09:00:00 to 2022-11-28 18:00:00.


This is a 3-day game making marathon, focused on learning how machine learning can be used to create more expressive VR gameplay. The jam runs from November 26, at 9am, to November 28, at 6pm (UK time) in the University of York.

This event focuses on the playful exploration of how machine learning can be used in VR. Only basic Unity experience needed; we will cover the ML basics during the day, and I will be present to help. All the machine learning will be visually coded using a new version of InteractML (http://interactml.com) so you can just focus on making your expressive VR experience shine

This project is part of the Games Intelligence and Intelligent Games PhD programme between the University of York and Goldsmiths, University of London. The funding body is the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in the UK. Therefore, you will be learning for free paid by the UK government!

Here's what you need to know:

Registration and Food

Lunch and snacks will be served, but there is limited capacity for the event. So please, ensure that you confirm your attendance in the following form ahead of time: https://forms.gle/VcSzsWnA2QrCPggL8

Schedule

The event will be running from 9am-5pm every day. Please arrive on-time to avoid delaying the end of the day for the others. Coffee breaks can be introduced at any time, whenever you want them as a group.

Day 1 (Saturday 26 November)

  • 9am - 10am: Introduction to machine learning and InteractML
  • 10am - 11am: Bodystorming of Ideas
  • 11am - 12pm: Tutorial on InteractML
  • 12pm - 1pm: Lunch break
  • 1pm - 3pm: Tutorial on InteractML
  • 3pm - 3.30pm: Coffee & fruits break
  • 3.30pm - 5pm: Prototyping

Day 2 (Sunday 27 November)

  • 9am - 9.30am: Touch base on progress
  • 9.30am - 12pm: Prototyping
  • 12pm - 1pm: Lunch break
  • 1pm - 3pm: Prototyping
  • 3pm - 3.30pm: Coffee & fruits break
  • 3.30pm - 5pm: Prototyping

Day 3 (Monday 28 November)

  • 9am - 9.30am: Touch base on progress
  • 9.30am - 12pm: Prototyping
  • 12pm - 1pm: Lunch break
  • 1pm - 3pm: Prototyping
  • 3pm - 3.30pm: Coffee & fruits break
  • 3.30pm - 5pm: Prototyping
  • 5pm-6pm: Playtesting each other projects and focus group discussion

Day 4 (Tuesday 29 November)

  • Individual interviews over zoom.

Location

The event will take place in the VR lab in the DC Labs in the Ron Cooke Hub (East Campus). See here for instructions on how to arrive to the building: https://www.york.ac.uk/hub/directions/

Once you reach the building, the VR lab is on the ground floor. Ask reception if you need help locating the room.

Equipment

There are VR workstations with a Windows 10 + Unity 2020.3 LTS + InteractML installation, and a headset (either Vive or Oculus) per person prepared in the VR lab for you. 

You can as well bring your own computer if you wish, and there is eduroam wifi access in the building. In case you want to install InteractML on your own computer, you can follow the step-by-step InteractML installation guide here and download Unity from here

What is InteractML? 

What assets can I use? 

The vast majority of code and machine learning graphs must be created during the jam, but you can use whatever art and audio assets you have the legal right to use.

Can I submit to another jam if I wish to? 

Totally! 

Is there a Discord I can join? 

Yes (you will need to complete the University consent form)! Click here to gain access.

Important information

We will be available throughout the jam so that you can ask any questions you might have. And don't worry about asking simple, silly or complicated questions - we are there to assist you with anything

Accessibility: Let us know if you will need some support to access the venue. We are here to help :)

If you have any additional questions, comments, concerns or just want to say hello, please feel free to reach out to us directly.

Email: carlos.gonzalezdiaz@york.ac.uk

Further rules:

- Your game needs to use InteractML and be a VR playable experience. It can be a very small incomplete piece work, that's fine!

- We encourage you to join our Discord server (link at the end of the consent form).

- Games submitted to the IML VR Jam  must not contain nudity, or hateful language or visuals.

- Your game cannot require additional software such as an emulator, or a game like Super Mario Maker 2, Roblox, or Dreams.

- You may re-use some small bits of code, such as controller support or some of the examples graphs included with InteractML.

Legal bit:

- Anything you make during the IML VR Game Jam is your property. IML VR Game Jam claims no rights or ownership of your game.