Prof Jam Fall 2018

The SU Indies are hosting Salisbury University's second ever Game Jam! From 5:30PM on Friday, September 28 to 5:30PM on Sunday, September 30. Student participants will have those 48 hours to make either a board game or a video game from start to finish either by themselves or as part of a team.  The game will be required to fit a certain theme from a list provided by Salisbury University professors.

BE SURE YOU HAVE SIGNED THE GOOGLE FORM AT THIS LINK!

If you would like to work as part of a team but do not have a team to work with, we will try to provide one for you. Be sure you fill out the Google Form Linked above!

First Game Jam-

This Is Great Advice That Everyone Participating Should Watch (Made For a Different Game Jam)

Here Are Examples of Games That Are Possible in 48 Hours

Theme - 

Dr. Schneider, Dr. Anderson, Dr. Halperin, Dr. Austin, Dr. Shifler, and Dr. Spickler have provided us with this list of themes for you to use for your game. You may choose any of these themes for your game. You can even choose multiple.

•Coffee
•Dr. Shifler’s Poker Shootout
•8-bit Nightmare
•Quarter-Life
•Welcome to the Flock
•High-Impact Learning Experience
•Deal with the Devilbiss
•Havoc in Henson Hall

Each of these phrases is meant to be some spark of inspiration. Interpret however you wish, just base your game on at least one of them.

Good luck and have fun!

Jam Rules  -

1. ALL JAM PARTICIPANTS MUST FILL OUT THE GOOGLE FORM FOUND AT THE LINK ABOVE OR HERE
2. All submissions, assets, and code must be created/implemented after the Jam begins. We'll expect this rule to run on an honor system.
3. Any submissions disparaging others or the work of others will be disqualified, and the participants banned.
4. All participants will be allowed to vote on submissions to the Jam after it ends.
5. To be displayed on the art gallery's main projectors and voted on, a game must be minimally playable with a mouse and keyboard.
6. You may sign up to make a game by yourself or as part of a team of up to 3. If you do not have a team, we will do our best to match you with one.
7. You can make any kind of game you want, so long as it fits with the theme and can be presented to others. Board games, card games, platformers, racing games, text-based adventures, etc.

Judging Criteria  -

• Design - How Well Do the Mechanics Work Together
• Presentation - How Does it Look and Sound
• Theme - How Well Does it Fit the Theme of the Jam

Some Helpful Do's and Don't's -

• DO be sure to get plenty of rest both before and during the event. Take breaks when you need to and get some sleep. DON'T try to work straight through the 48 hours at any cost. This is supposed to be a fun event. DON'T burn yourself out for the remainder of the Jam, or for class on Monday. You'd be amazed how much more efficiently you'll work if you're well rested. And some problems are much easier to solve if you've walked away from them for a bit. DO take care of yourself.
• DO feel free to start thinking of ideas or practicing techniques you want to use in the Jam. It doesn't hurt. DON'T start actually making anything until the Jam starts on the 28th. You won't know the theme until then, and it's against the spirit of the Jam anyway.
• DON'T be afraid to ask for help, even from other teams. Everyone is trying to work towards the same challenge and learn what they can, and everyone is bringing different experience and ideas to the table. DO be respectful of others' time though as they have their own game to make. And be sure to give them credit where you can.
• DON'T try to make Super Player Unknown's Smash League of the Call of the God of Halofield Kart 64: Breath of the Zero Underdawnwatch Wars... Revelations. It would take more than two years to make that game. You have two days. DO keep your game manageable. Everyone would rather play a game that's really good but too short, than a game that's really not but too long.
• DO test everything you make early and often. Test to see if it's fun and test to see if it works. If you are doing any programming for the first time, this is especially important. DON'T wait until one hour before your game is due to find out that something that will take hours to fix isn't working.
• DON'T spend too much time brainstorming. Settle on an idea that will be feasible to complete in the 48 hours and get to it. You want to make a game, not plan a game. DO record your ideas in a separate document or in a notebook. Anything you don't use this time, you can add to the game after the jam, or add to the sequel, or add to something you make later.

• DO have fun! DON'T not have fun.

Some Helpful Links

SU Indies Resource Page

Unity (An Easy to Use Game Engine)

Game Maker Studio (An EASIER TO USE Game Engine. Perfect for Beginner Programmers. Can  Also Be Used With No Code)

Construct2 (Click and Drag Game Engine. No Programming Required)

Twine (Engine for Text-Based Games. No Programming Required)

Any Question You Will Ever Need Answered (Seriously, try it)

Any Tutorial You Will Ever Need to Watch (No really. It's all here.)

Basics of Pixel Animation (With Animated Reference Gifs. Just keep scrolling down.)

Free 8-Bit Sound Effect Maker

Email any questions or concerns to salisburyindies@gmail.com with "Prof Jam Fall 2018" in the subject line.