The 2018 San Diego Game Jam at The Art Institute

Sponsored by JAM CITY

Recruiters from Jam City will be present, scouting talent at the jam!

Get ready to Jam with Jam City!

Do you have what it takes to make a great game? Enter the San Diego Game Jam and compete against local game developers to make the best game in just 48hours!

Participants will compete to make games based on a common theme and chosen mechanics. These games will be reviewed by a panel of industry professional judges who will decide winners in 6 different categories. Winners will receive great prizes!

• Grand Prize
• Judge's Choice
• Best Art
• Best Design
• Best Abstract Game
• Best Audio Design

Make your own game! Compete for prizes!

The San Diego Game Jam is a 48 hour competition where teams of game developers create brand new game based on a challenging theme. The team that creates the best game wins!

Celebrate our local game development community and join your fellow developers for the San Diego's biggest game development event! Connect with other game makers, meet new friends, share your ideas, and build your dream game in 48 hours!

Developers of all skill levels are welcome! Professionals, hobbyists, and even first time devs should not miss this amazing opportunity to make games and connect with other game makers!

Please join the SDGameDev Slack to get more information on this event!

The 2018 San Diego Game Jam is hosted by the Art Institute of California San Diego and presented by the IGDA-San Diego.

Event Details

Ticket Prices

• General Admission - $40
• Student Admission - $30
• At The Door Admission - $45
• IGDA Member Admission - $25 Click here to join the IGDA today!

General Information

• Food and drinks will be provided all weekend.
• Computers and software are available on site or you can bring your own laptops.
• Café on campus and shopping center nearby for food and supplies.
• Designated sleeping rooms will be available for sleeping overnight. Please bring sleeping bags.

Rules

• Participants will receive a theme and choose from three preselected game mechanics.
• The maximum team size is 6 people. Participants may work independently.
• Participants may not use any previously developed concepts, code, or assets.
• Participants may not use any assets or code that is not free and open to public use.
• Participants must be present for at least 24 hours to be eligible for awards.
• Participants must complete and submit a game by 8PM on Sunday to be eligible for awards.
• Judges will review all game submissions and determine prize winners after the jam. The winnerse will be announced in the SDGame Dev Slack and prizes will be handed out at a future IGDA-SD Mixer.

Schedule

• FRIDAY
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm: Check in
• 7:00pm - 7:30pm : Opening statements, ground rules, and Keynote
• 7:30pm - 8:00pm: Theme reveal. Pitch ideas and form teams.
• 8:00pm: Jam starts! Dinner is served!
• SATURDAY
• 10:00am: Brunch
• 5:00pm: Dinner
• SUNDAY
• 10:00am: Brunch
• 5:00pm: Dinner
• 6:00pm: Submission window opens
• 8:00pm: Submission window closes
• 8:15pm: Game showcase
• 8:45 - 9:00pm: Cleaning the campus

Volunteer with us!

If you are interested in sponsoring, judging, volunteering, or just looking to give back to the local development community, please email contact@igdasandiego.org.

More Info!

What is a game jam?

A game jam is an event where pros and hobbyists come together to build a game in a set period of time, usually 48 hours. Participants are given a theme and set out to interpret that theme into a game in small groups.

Is this a competition?

Yes! Participants will compete to make games based on a common theme and chosen mechanics. These games will be reviewed by a panel of industry professional judges who will decide winners in 6 different categories. Winners will receive great prizes!

• Grand Prize
• Judge's Choice
• Best Art
• Best Design
• Best Abstract Game
• Best Audio Design

How many people will be there?

We expect 80-120 participants. You are free to stay and sleep on campus over night.

Do I need to be a game developer to attend?

The jam is open to everyone regardless of skill level or profession.

What kind of games can I make?

Digital or analog games are accepted. If you’re not a programmer but have a great idea, turn it into a board game!

• Board games must be print and play to be considered for judging.

Do I have to stay for the whole event?

To be eligible for awards, representatives of your team must stay at least 24 hours.

Do I need to be an IGDA member to participate?

This event is open to the public. No membership is required, but IGDA members get discounted pricing!

Contact IGDA-SD!

Still have questions? Contact us at contact@igdasandiego.org!