This jam is now over. It ran from 2020-03-29 23:00:00 to 2020-04-16 23:00:00. View 1 entry

Shadow’s Edge Healing Hearts Jam

Connection, art and writing to help teens build resilience.

These undeniably challenging times provide an opportunity for us to reflect upon our mental and physical well-being and explore ways in which we can support those who are more vulnerable and already enduring mental and physical health constraints. 

The team at the non-profit Shadow’s Edge has provided teens and young adults across the globe solace via a mobile game based on narrative therapy and positive psychology. We need your help now more than ever to brainstorm ways to continue to engage our players and reach others who have been recently affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and experiencing isolation. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned teens’ lives upside down. Many are out of school, dealing with fear and uncertainty without the usual supports. The world of Disruption in our free game Shadow’s Edge models this confusion. As players ages 13+ express themselves through journaling and graffiti – they bring life back to the city of Shadow’s Edge, while discovering their own resilience.  

We have therefore started this game jam to encourage participants to prototype possible extensions to the game that are aligned with our objectives at Shadow’s Edge: supporting teens in building resilience while playing a game. The extensions can be missions, mini-games, puzzles - anything you can think of to make connecting people, creating art and journaling fun. All this to help players feel better and more resilient. 

Key Dates: 

30th March - 17th April 2020. The jam will run from Monday-Sunday, and participants can submit their games anytime within that window.

Wednesday, 8 April 2020, 4 pm UK time / 5 pm CET . Webinar/Q&A with Shadow’s Edge team members to learn more about their mission and vision
Join Zoom Meeting

Objectives/Themes:

Our team focuses on embodying the following objectives through the Shadow’s Edge experience. Please feel free to address any or all of these in your games:

  1. Proactive Coping: dealing in a future-oriented way with a difficult situation; setting realistic goals
  2. Mindfulness & Acceptance: being nonjudgmental and accepting the present moment as it is
  3. Optimism: an attitude that the future will work out for the best
  4. Emotional Regulation: being able to allow and deal with strong emotions
  5. Derived Meaning: getting a sense of purpose through what is happening
  6. Positive Self Identity: having a feeling of self-worth
  7. Connectedness: allowing the feeling of being supported and being able to reach out for help

Selected participants will have the opportunity to contribute features and/or ideas from their games to Shadow’s Edge and be credited in our mobile game. In addition: 

  • Social media recognition (65k+ followers)
  • Published article
  • Gift pack
  • Artwork in the game by a game artist to recognise the best idea

Rules:

Jam organisers will have the right to remove contents from the Jam that perpetrate discrimination or hate. Any author creating this kind of content will immediately be disqualified.

This Jam does not endorse crunch. Please work a reasonable number of hours and take care of yourself. This jam supports well-being <3 

Judgement Criteria:

  • Creativity of the idea
  • Thematic relevance to mission of the game  / Impact on emotional resilience
  • Connection to current game
  • Fun to play

Judges:

Discord:

Please join our Discord community to connect with fellow jammers, exchange ideas and form teams if you wish! 


Who can participate?

Anyone who is interested in the theme/objectives and supporting the cause is encouraged to join! Participants may work independently or in teams. 

Game Engines:

Although Shadow's Edge is built in Unity, you do not have to create your features in Unity for this jam! Please feel free to use your engine of preference. 

Are you new to game-making, or is this your first jam?

Check out these engines:

Bitsy

Twine

Construct

Game Maker

More Information & Resources

Contact/Social

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Create your own vlog with daily video prompts and keep track of your emotions, thoughts and stories.