SAAM ARCADE 2022 - 

GAME JAM RULES AND GUIDELINES

What’s the SAAM Arcade 2022 theme? 

The theme for SAAM Arcade 2022 is… COLOR, LINE, AND FORM  

Since the early 20th century, artists have tested the boundaries of artistic creation to express their political views, emotions, and personal perspectives. Artist Arshile Gorky said, “abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes.” When we break something down into its most basic features, we see potential for innovation and creativity in new and unexpected ways. Game developers use these same essential elements—among others—to create an interactive experience for players, relying on color, line, and form to tell complex narratives and engage broad audiences. 

We are interested in games that: 

     1. Use color, line, and form in ways that offer players a unique experience. 

     2. Prioritize elements of visual expression as a means of storytelling.  

     3. Stretch the boundaries of what we expect from the visuals of video games. 

Bonus: SAAM Arcade is dedicated to exploring the connections between video games and American visual culture. While this is not a required element of a submission, participants are encouraged to draw inspiration from the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the extraordinary creativity and diversity of American voices as they create games for this jam. 

JOIN US ON OUR DEDICATED DISCORD SERVER:  https://discord.com/invite/hj5YCSRXRv

Who can enter? 

SAAM Arcade 2022 Game Jam is an open, online game jam—anyone can enter! There is no need to sign up in advance. Participants can work alone or in groups (no size limit). Participants can join with their itch.io account and start creating! 

How do I submit a game? 

Upload your SAAM Arcade 2022 Game Jam game to itch.io . From there participants can upload additional files, and details.  

Inventors will need to select the option to either make the game available for free or set the cost to “Chose Your Own Amount.” as well as setting the game to “released.” 

Participants must go to the SAAM Arcade 2022 Game Jam page on itch.io, and click “submit game” and choose the game they created from the dropdown box.  

To ensure a game has been submitted to the jam, please go to the game’s itch.io page and look for a badge that says “Submission to the SAAM Arcade 2022 Game Jam” in the top right. If it’s there, the entry has successfully been submitted! If not, please try again. If problems persist, please visit the Discord server for technical assistance.  

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is partnering with IGDA DC (@igda_dc) to host and moderate a dedicated Discord server throughout the run of the jam. As the local DC chapter of the Independent Game Developers Association, IGDA DC will offer technical assistance to participants and help the long-standing SAAM Arcade community come together virtually and develop new and innovative games. 

When should I submit the game? 

Participants can submit a game at any point during the Game Jam period from Thursday, July 28 to Sunday, July 31, 2022. Until the submission period closes, creators can make changes to a submitted jam without creating a new entry. 

When does the jam begin and end? 

The SAAM Arcade 2022 Game Jam begins Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. ET. 

The SAAM Arcade 2022 Game Jam ends Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET. 

Upon the conclusion of the jam on Sunday, July 31 at 7 p.m. ET, join us on the Discord server for a showcase where those who have submitted games may give a brief 5–10-minute— presentation. Participation is encouraged, but optional!  

Submitted games will be available for play on itch.io starting Monday, August 1 and will be available indefinitely! 

What can I use to build my game in? 

Whatever format you like—our only requirement is that the game is uploaded to itch.io when submitted and must be free and accessible to any interested players. Print-and-play tabletop games, games for iOS or Android mobile devices, or online games are all welcome. 

Innovators can make a game in their preferred engine, programming language, or software. We recommend engines such as Unity, Game Maker, Godot, PICO-8, Unreal Engine, and Scratch, but creators can also use engines designed for specific genres such as RPG Maker or Adventure Game Studio. If participants chose to make games for a console or emulator, or one that requires additional hardware (a printer, VR headset, specific controller, etc.) please make a note of it on the submission page. 

 Can I make something NSFW? 

SAAM Arcade is a family-friendly event. Games should not contain explicit nudity, hateful or derogatory language or visuals, or excessive violence. There are no limits on an innovator's creativity; as long as it fits the jam’s theme. However, submissions will be monitored-a game may be removed if it is deemed inappropriate or lacks sufficient context or information about potentially NSFW content.  

We ask that contributors you consider the theme and the values of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and itch.io; the museum's mission statement is available at https://americanart.si.edu/about.  We also request that participants review the SAAM Arcade Game Jam Code of Conduct beforehand. 

Can I use pre-existing code? 

Yes! Contributors can use pre-existing code, libraries, and functions. Additionally, participants can set up a blank Unity project, a Github page, or their itch.io profile in advance. However, we request that innovators do not write code for this jam in advance. 

Jam moderators will try to answer questions regarding rules on the Discord server*, but we may not be able to address every question. Please use your best judgement and remember that this is an open jam focused on experimentation, creativity, and exploration of the theme. 

Can I use pre-existing art and/or audio? 

Yes! Contributors can use whatever art and audio they have the legal right to use. That means you can use pre-existing sprites, textures, fonts, models, shaders, animations, sound effects, and music. This includes public domain assets, assets participants have purchased, assets participants created themselves, or assets that are legally permissible derivative works of existing media.  

We encourage you to take inspiration from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection! If innovators want to use artwork images from SAAM, please email SAAMArcade@si.edu. Participants must include proper image credits for each artwork from our website, including the title, date, artist name(s), and any listed credit information.  

Please credit all members of a submission's internal team (anyone who made art or audio during the jam) as well as all external art and audio in each game description. 

What if I don’t finish? What if my game is terrible? 

This jam is all about exploration and experimentation—and building the community around SAAM Arcade. Think of this jam as the perfect opportunity to try a new art style or play with a new mechanic. Because this jam is unranked, participants do not have to worry about uploading something unfinished, unusual, or unpleasant; just focus on having fun and engaging with the theme. 

Who can enter? Anyone, regardless of age, experience, or background is welcome to participate!  

When does the jam begin/end? The SAAM Arcade 2022: Game Jam starts on Thursday, July 28, at 11:30 a.m. ET and closes Sunday, July 31 at 7 p.m. ET.  

What software can I build my game in? Anything you want! Please include instructions on what software potential players need to make the game work. Games that can operate without additional software or hardware are much appreciated, but there’s no limit! 

What assets can I use? The vast majority of the game itself must be made during the run of the SAAM Arcade 2022: Game Jam, but innovators can use whatever art and audio assets they have the legal rights to use.   

Who will judge the games? No one! We are more interested in fostering creativity and conversation, rather than creating a ranking of submitted games.  

Is there a Discord I can join? Yes! We are pleased to announce that a dedicated Discord server will be hosted and moderated by IGDA DC, our local chapter of the Independent Game Developers Association. The Discord will open on Wednesday, July 27 at 7 p.m.* Please review the SAAM Arcade Game Jam Code of Conduct before you join the server. 

*Please note that you must be 13 or older to join the Discord server.