Update:

Our modifier for this year has been chosen by the community, and it is... One Button! Remember, the modifier can be taken literally, or figuratively, and you can choose to interpret (or misinterpret) it however you want! 

Good luck everyone!

'So Bad it's Good' Jam 2021

Like it or not: we're back for another year!

Once again, your aim is to make a game that is "So bad it's good". "What is a SBIG game?", I hear you ask excitedly. Great Question! A game that is by no means "well-made" or "polished", but has a unique charm to it. Make a game that isn't perfect, isn't extravagant, but is jank to the point where it becomes enjoyable!

Unsure what to do? View our 2020  Jam , 2019 Jam, 2018 Jam and our 2017 Jam.

The Criteria:

There are a few (loose) rules that may help you to get started

• Rule 1: "It has to be fun to play" 

- This is arguably the hardest category to get right. There is a sweet spot with these types of games. Games that are unplayable, or mediocre to the point of boredom, are not fun. In order to make a true SBIG game, there has to be a level of enjoyment. With that said, it is up to you exactly how you choose to achieve this!

• Rule 2: "It can be original or based off an existing IP"

- You can be as original or shamelessly unoriginal as you want. Just don't use any trademarked or copyrighted material. If you want to do an existing IP, at least think of a funny name for it. See Two Mythical Lizards or Freedom the Eagle  for inspiration. 

• Rule 3: "Use whatever engine, whatever genre, however many people"

- Just go nuts. If you want to make your game in Unity, Gamemaker, Unreal, Construct: do it! One person, Two people, Ten people: do it! Hell, if you and your team of 50 people want to make a game for your TI-84 calculator, there's nothing stopping you.  Use what you feel most comfortable with, or try something new, and see how it turns out. The only way you could fail is by not releasing a game at all.

• Rule 4: "Games must be made during the jam period".

- In order to make it a level playing field, you can't submit a game that you've worked on/released before the start of the jam. Once the jam starts, you can work on your game as much as you want, but keep you ideas in your head until the jam begins!

Modifier:

For this year's jam, as with last year's, there will be a modifier. The modifier is a special theme or item that could be added for extra points. For example, our previous modifiers have been "retro" and "cyberpunk". Currently, the modifier is unannounced, but it will be unveiled 2 days before the jam starts. You can use the modifier, choose to ignore it, or choose to interpret (or misinterpret) the modifier how you want. You do you.

Voting for the modifier will start in May in the Discord Server, and my (not-so) trusty Discord bot, VoteBot, will announce the modifier randomly, two days before the start of the Jam. Stay tuned!

Voting/Prizes:

Also, the voting system will be slightly different. Games will be judged on individual categories: 

• Graphics
• Sound
• Gameplay
• Overall Bad
• Overall Good
• Modifier

Remember, the individual categories will be judged on whether they are so bad it's good. The voting isn't a measure of quality, but a measure of how well they fit the brief of the jam.

The top winners will have their games included in a "Best of the Worst" compilation, and the overall winner can choose whether the bundle is free or paid, and if so, what charity the proceeds will be sent to. If you would like to see the previous compilations, you can see our 2020 "Best of the Worst" Compilation, the  2018 Compilation and the 2017 Compilation.

Finally, there might be one final surprise, to celebrate the Jam's five year anniversary! Stay tuned for the big reveal!

Find a team:

We have a dedicated Discord channel for finding teams together. If you'd like to find some people to make a game with, the Discord is the best place to do so! You can join the Discord here:

Links:

As mentioned before, we have a Discord server, where you can see the latest updates, and vote on the modifier: https://discord.gg/rn7amBk 

And that is all, Good luck everyone!