# 🧠 Masterminds Indie Dev Tool Jam #1
🚀 My First-Ever Jam — Let’s Build Something Game-Changing
Welcome to the very first jam I've ever hosted—and I’m inviting you to build something powerful, personal, and game-changing. This is Masterminds Indie Dev Tool Jam #1, a 10-day challenge to create the tool you wish you had—the one that makes game dev smoother, faster, and more joyful. Whether it’s for yourself or for fellow creators, this jam is all about solving real problems with real creativity. Let’s build tools that empower us—and maybe even change how we make games.
🎯 The Challenge
In 10 days, build a tool that solves a real problem in your game dev workflow.
- 🔧 Small and focused or broad and ambitious—your call
- 🧠 Must be genuinely useful and personally meaningful
- 🌟 Bonus points for modularity, clarity, and creative design
🧩 What Counts as a “Tool”?
Anything that helps you or others make games better:
- 🛠️ Unity editor extensions
- 🧬 Visual scripting systems
- 📋 Devlog trackers or idea vaults
- 🗂️ Scene or asset organizers
- 🎲 Procedural generators
- 🐞 Debugging helpers
- ⚙️ Workflow boosters
- 🎨 Creative utilities
If it makes game dev easier, clearer, or more joyful—it counts.
📦 Submission Details
When you're ready to submit, make sure your entry includes:
-
🎮 Playable Build or Demo
Upload a downloadable file or link to a browser-playable version (e.g., itch.io, GitHub Pages). -
📝 Project Description
A short overview of your game/tool—what it does, how it works, and what makes it unique. -
🧠 Core Idea or Theme
What concept or mechanic did you explore? How does it connect to the jam prompt? -
🧰 Tools & Assets Used
List any engines, frameworks, or third-party assets you used (remember to credit creators!). -
🖼️ Screenshots or GIFs (optional but encouraged)
Show off your work with a few visuals—helps others understand and appreciate your project. -
🧠 Dev Notes or Process Log (optional)
Share your workflow, challenges, or cool discoveries—especially helpful for fellow devs.
📅 Jam Details
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Duration: | 10 days |
| 🚀 Jam Starts: | Saturday, August 9, 2025 |
| 🛠️ Development Period: | August 9–16, 2025 |
| 📦 Submission Deadline: | Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM |
| 🗳️ Voting Period: | August 17–23, 2025 |
| 🏆 Results Announced: | Sunday, August 24, 2025 |
Solo or Team: Both welcome. Teams may have up to 4 members.
Engine: Any
Deliverables: A working tool + short write-up or demo showing how it helps
📏 Rules
To keep things creative, fair, and community-driven:
- ❌ No AI-generated assets
- ✅ Use existing engines, frameworks, and libraries
- ✅ Open-source or downloadable tools encouraged (optional)
- ✅ Planning is fine—coding starts when the jam begins
- 🚫 No hate speech, plagiarism, or harmful content
- ✅ You may use third-party assets (code, art, audio, etc.) as long as you credit the original creators somewhere in your submission
- ✅ Team size is limited to 4 members.
🧪 Judging Criteria
Submissions will be rated based on the following:
-
🧠 Modularity & Structure
Does the project break ideas into clear, reusable parts? Is it easy to follow or build upon? -
🎯 Clarity & Accessibility
Is the interface, workflow, or gameplay intuitive—especially for neurodivergent users? -
🎨 Creativity & Originality
Does the project explore a unique concept, mechanic, or design approach? -
🛠️ Functionality & Polish
Does it work well? Is it stable, visually coherent, and thoughtfully presented? -
💬 Documentation & Presentation
Are the idea, process, and tools clearly explained? Are credits and instructions easy to find?
💬 Community Vibe
This jam is beginner-welcoming, collaborative, and all about building tools that make game dev better—for you and for others.
- 🤝 Be kind and constructive
- 🧩 Celebrate modular thinking and creative problem-solving
- 📚 Share devlogs, sketches, and prototypes—progress is progress!
🧠 Optional Extras
Want to go further?
- 🎥 Include a short video or GIF demo
- 📝 Share your design notes or devlog
- 📤 Offer your tool as open-source or downloadable
- 💬 Join the jam Discord (coming soon!)
🏆 A Note on Prizes
As this is our very first jam, there will be no prizes awarded for this event. The main goal is to build a strong community and celebrate creative problem-solving. However, if this jam is a success, we will look into adding prizes for the next jam in the series! Your participation and feedback will help make that happen.
👨💻 A Note from the Host
I will be participating in this jam as well! My goal is to join you all in the challenge so I can **test the process firsthand**, gather feedback, and use the experience to **make the next Masterminds jam even better.**
Welcome to Masterminds Indie Dev Tool Jam #1—I’m so glad you’re here. 🔥