Team Finding
Making a game all by yourself can be a daunting task. Joining a team helps make the workload manageable and connects you with other people who share the same interests. If you're looking to team up with other people for this jam, here's the place to do it!
Looking to create a team for your game concept? Post a pitch!
Say you've got a great idea for a game but you need some help accomplishing it. Here's your chance to pitch your idea to other jammers! Bear in mind that the bullets below are not rules but suggestions for what to include in your post in case you're not sure where to start. If you are someone looking to join a team, skip to the section below.
- Introduce yourself! Include any basic information you wish for people to know. I.e., Name, timezone, pronouns, etc. Or go all out and give your entire life philosophy; it's up to you!
- Your game concept! It doesn't have to be fully thought out and realized— your team is there to help you flesh out ideas. However, it's best to have a working idea of your game ideas and goals so it's easier to find people to fulfill the roles you need. Images may help get your ideas across, so don't be afraid to use them!
- What skills you have/roles you need filled. Say you know how to code, but need art assets, or vice versa. This is where you describe what kind of skills you have and need so others can apply to be a part of your team. Include stuff you know how to do, kind of know how to do, and are willing to learn. Also include engines or programs (for any use, be it art, music, game dev, animation, etc) and languages you are familiar with or specifically require.
- Preferred method of contact. Communication is one of the most important things in a team, so having a clearly established method of correspondence in your post is essential. We suggest creating a group discord server for ease of organization, but do whatever works best for you.
- Other stuff! Anything else you need to let others know, or anything you'd like to say! If you need ideas, consider communication styles, schedules, non-game goals, level of polish, etc.
Looking to join a team? Reply to a pitch!
Below each post, there is a small reply button that looks like this.
If you see a pitch that interests you, hit reply and follow up with your skillsets, maybe a portfolio, programs and tools you're familiar with, and contact information. It's that simple!
Team Tips & Tricks
- Communication is key! If you have concerns, frustrations, stress, other commitments, it is your responsibility to inform your team so they can help resolve the issue or accommodate. Most of these tips can be simplified down to good communication.
- Can't do your part? Tell your team. If you have real life obligations, let your team members know so they can either lessen your work load or find someone else to help out.
- Stay focused! Working together can be fun, but make sure you get things done! This is especially tricky for teams who know eachother well; sometimes the camaraderie can be a distraction.
- Set clear, manageable goals. This helps everyone stay on the same page and facilitates productivity.
- Dealing with stress/illness? If you have a history of health problems, whether it is physical or mental, please be up front about it. No one will blame you for needing to take it easy!
- Use productivity apps/file sharing sites! There's a plethora of resources for effective team/file management. Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, and Trello are just a few of them. A list will soon be added here for anyone who wants to give them a whirl.
- Again: file sharing. Mentioned in the point above, but important enough to warrant its own point. Using a file sharing service like Dropbox of Google Drive enables everyone to work on the same things at the same time as well as allow real-time updates. An artist can stick assets into a shared folder, thus allowing the programmer to instantly access it.
- Frustrated with your group? Nothing is perfect. Even with people you get along with, you're bound to have conflict. Keep a cool head and remember: even terrible game jam experiences have value. Be willing to carry on and don't give up!
Behavior & Conduct in Teams
Not every jam experience is a positive one, but we, the hosts, cannot micromanage teams or team discords except in cases of emergency. What happens in your group's discord chat is ultimately your responsibility, but if a team member breaks MFGJ's code of conduct, please let us know so we can deal with it accordingly. Remember: Discrimination or harassment based on a jammer’s prior experience, age, gender, race, religion, ability, or sexuality will not be tolerated and will result in an instant ban from both the official discord and the jam itself.