This jam is now over. It ran from 2022-01-10 05:00:00 to 2022-02-10 05:00:00. View results

It's my BIRTHDAY!

I have always wanted to host a Game Jam. I figure my birthday is as good excuse as any.

Newbies welcome!

Perhaps you are brand new to Unity or Game Design. Coinciding with this Game Jam, I'll be releasing some new tutorials on my YouTube channel (youtube.com/philipherlitz) to help guide you if you need it.

I have been doing game development for over two years now. I have always been hesitant to try the newer versions of Unity, or even the new input system. I was finally comfortable using what I had, so I was afraid to move on to the newer and better things that Unity has to offer now.

Its time to take the leap (if you haven't already). For this Jam, I want you to use the latest and greatest that Unity has to offer.

Your goal in this Jam, should be to make the most fun 'vertical slice' you can!

A vertical slice is a fully-playable portion of a game that shows its developer's intended player experience.

You can work on your 'slice' as much as you want. Just make sure you submit it before my birthday (February 10th). You're also limited to the following restrictions:

  • You must use Unity 2020 (any LTS version).
  • You must use the new Unity Input System.
  • You must only have one scene.
  • You must have no more than 5 materials.
  • You must only use primitive GameObjects (no importing art assets, using Probuilder, Umodeler, Blender, etc to create meshes. This also means, if you wanted to build a 2D game, you're gonna have to use 3D objects with an orthographic camera).
  • If you want to add sound effects or music, they MUST be created by your body (with use of a microphone obviously). No instruments. Software can only be used to trim audio clips, adjust bass, treble, middle, and gain (equalizer type stuff). No other effects can be added to your clips.
  • Your project must be built for webGL with 960x600 as Default Canvas Width/Height (I'll put a video on my YouTube Channel walking you through the steps of building webGL if you've never done it before).

I believe that is all the restrictions. 

So, with all those restrictions, what additional tools CAN you use?

  • You can use any other tools that help you to create your game, as long as they don't violate any of the restrictions above.

How to win?

As I play the entries, I will rate them based on at least 3 different scales. You will not learn what these scales are until the Jam has completed. But, you shouldn't worry about them. The goal here, is to build a prototype, with as few distractions as possible. Let's face it, dealing with third party assets can often delay the completion of a prototype, because you get caught up in all the bells and whistles.

Prizes?

  • First Place gets $100 USD
  • Second Place gets $50 USD
  • Third Place gets $25 USD