The Freedom game jam
Theme: Freedom.
Why Jam? To make a statement about the present copyright nonsense while having fun.
Multi-billion dollar companies from unexpected segments claim property over others' work, indies and AAA alike.
[1] - https://gizmodo.com/video-game-maker-sparks-outrage-with-trademark-of-cyber-1794...
As soon as copyrighted work is about to become public domain, they extend it!
[2] - http://mentalfloss.com/article/540074/new-books-music-and-films-entering-public-...
They didn't let you play or make games because of finals, but now it's summer, and they have no power over you!
Will you take a stand for freedom? Or will you let it slip through your fingers?
Constraints: (required)
0) Freedom as a primary goal of the game
It's open to interpretation, and the diversifiers below include a lot of suggestions.
1) Newly expired patents or copyrights
Patents and copyrights are not eternal, but they have a specified expiration date! Below a suggested list of works (inventions and media) that have just become public domain. Make sure to specify which patent/copyright inspired you!
[3] http://patentsexpiringtoday.com/
[4] http://mentalfloss.com/article/92931/11-classic-films-public-domain
2) Use a free open-source engine
As we are here celebrating freedom, challenge yourself to use a free open source engine (no royalties or fees needed). Check it out!
[5] https://godotengine.org/
[6] https://aws.amazon.com/lumberyard/
3) Release under a Creative Commons license
Decide how you want others to consume and reproduce your work. Allow people to remix, to explore it commercially or require them to give you credit? You choose!
[7] https://creativecommons.org/licenses/
4) Team size
Work solo or with a team, but watch out for license issues when using assets or any elements in your game! Don't steal, we are free spirits but not pirates ;)
5) No Offensive Messages
Any type of hate speech will not be accepted.
Diversifiers: (optional)
1) "Freedom, but no oil."
Choose one (or more!) of the independence events that occurred on July 1st as a setting for your game.
1962 – Independence of Rwanda and Burundi.
1690 – Glorious Revolution: Battle of the Boyne in Ireland (as reckoned under the Julian calendar).
1907 – First female MPs in the world are elected in Finland.
1978 – The Northern Territory in Australia is granted self-government
2003 – Over 500,000 people protest against efforts to pass anti-sedition legislation in Hong Kong.
1867 – The British North America Act of 1867 takes effect as the Province of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia join into a confederation to create the modern nation of Canada. This date is commemorated annually in Canada as Canada Day, a national holiday.
OR - Any other you can think of that took place on July 1st.
2) "Go Outside"
Summer is here, so why not let some sunlight in your game? Make a game about summer vacation (playing on the beach, camping, exploring, outdoor activities in general).
3) "Open source is my jam."
Why stop at a royalty-free engine when you can do your whole game with open-source tools? Suggestions:
That's pretty much it, Surprise us! Have fun! Go wild! It's open to interpretation, so don't just see it as political freedom, but freedom from a generally unpleasant situation, or freedom to do something fresh, or freedom to not care about SOCIETY...!
I could not forget to include a very appropriate paraphrase from Benjamin Franklin:
"People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both. "
PS: Big thanks to https://itch.io/jam/resistjam for opening the way and serving as inspiration!
Picture: "Freedom Monument" in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Adapted. Original taken by Irene2005 https://www.flickr.com/photos/irene2005/ , licensed under CC BY 2.0