Press Start, Fresh Start!

Hosted by Orry, Mpcs

Ratings

This jam is now over. It ran from 2021-04-10 23:00:00 to 2021-04-24 23:10:00. View results

Welcome one and all to Press Start, Fresh Start!: A Game Jam with a focus on having and gaining new experiences, from working with a new tool or function, to meeting and collaborating with new people.

If you're the type of person who uses Game Jams as an excuse to perform wild experiments, make new friends, or learn more about a game engine, this is the perfect Jam for you. Of course, for many the fun comes from the friendly competition, so entrants will still be ranked, and bragging rights cordially extended to the winners. So what are you waiting for? Press Start for a Fresh Start on your game developing journey, whether it's your first time or your hundredth hitting the start button!

This Game Jam is graciously hosted by the Creator's Campfire Discord server. Hold your hands by the fire to find allies, double check the rules, or learn a new skill from one of the channels dedicated to the various artistic fortes of the creators found therein.

THEME

UNCHARTED

The theme is separate from the focus on new experiences, and is mandatory; you won't be asked to prove you've had a new experience, but your game will be expected to adhere to the theme.

Rules

Games must be made entirely within the given time frame (2 weeks from the start of the Jam). However, you are free to use assets made before the Jam, as long as they're used in a new capacity. (Not a retread of a previous game.)
Be sure to credit assets made by others. Additionally, don't use assets you don't have the legal rights to, or that violate Itch's terms of service in any way.
This Game Jam is considered Exclusive, meaning you are not allowed to submit your entry to other Game Jams. This rule exists to cut down on spam entries. If you would like an exception made, ask in the Discord, BEFORE submitting your game. (Creator's Campfire)
Follow the theme. You are free to interpret it in any way you like, but if your interpretation is more obscure, it's a good idea to mention what you were going for in the game's description, to help others understand.
Keep game content family friendly and Safe For Work, if able, so that everyone can play your game.
Be mindful of others. Don't make a game with the intent to mock or bully other people, either individuals or groups.
The Jam's focus on new experiences won't be enforced. However, you're encouraged to share what you learned in the description of your game or on the Discord server. We'd love to hear from you! (I know I would!)

SCORING CRITERIA

After the Jam, those who submitted or contributed to games will be able to vote to determine the Jam's rankings. There are four judging criteria, with one of them being prioritized above the others:

Fresh Factor (Overall Score): This is your total score for the game. It is left entirely up to the judges to determine what is valuable in this category. At the end of the Jam, the games will be ranked first and foremost by their Fresh Factor scores. (Note: This is NOT an average of the other categories.)
Aesthetics: How the game looks, sounds, and feels to play. Games that draw you in to their worlds, or send you on a wild journey of emotions; their domain is here.
Creativity and Ambition: For a Game Jam, scope is important, and many a great game is ruined by shooting for too large a scope. But if you can see a game's potential for greatness, and the ideas it champions are sound, be sure to bless it with a good rating here.
Enjoyment: For many, this is the most important part of a game. But even if a game isn't very polished it can still be fun. Be kind to those games in this category.