Get ready for Game Orchard's inaugural game jam!

Game Orchard is a collective that empowers California game developers to build community, hone skills, and create sustainable indie studios that strengthen the San Francisco Bay Area's gaming ecosystem. We are organizing jams, workshops, and mixers to help emerging developers build their skills and community.

This summer, we're hosting a 10-day online game jam celebrating what we most want to build - COMMUNITY. Find a team and make a fun video game - any genre or engine - exploring themes of neighborhood, friendship, collaboration, belonging, or however you interpret "community".

All skill levels welcome—because the best communities are built when everyone has a place at the table.

The Wildcard for this jam is a LEMON. You'll need to include this somewhere in your game.

In the SF Bay? Here are some places you can hang out with other jammers in person! These are totally optional events and not required to participate in the jam.

• August 1, 7 PM - Jam Kickoff & Wildcard Announcement at The MADE.
  Find a team, hear the wildcards and do some playtesting of games by local devs.
• August 5, Anytime 12:15-5 - Indie Dev Coworking at The MADE. RSVP here.
  Bring your project and hash it out with other devs.
• August 22, 6-ish - Jam Showcase & Playtesting! Location TBD.

Voting & Prizes - There are no prizes but there are bragging rights! 

Between August 11-18, submitters & contributors can vote for their favorite games in the following categories: Overall Winner, Best Art, Best Audio, Best Use of the Theme & Wildcards, Best Gameplay.

Rules

• All submissions must be playable in browser
  
• No pre-made games
  
• Use only assets you've made or have the legal right to use - Don't use other people's work or assets without permission
• Give contributors proper credits
  
• Opt out of any category for which you used pre-made media assets (including your own made prior to the jam)
• Disclose if you use AI in the design and development process and opt out of that category in voting (ex. if you use AI in sound, opt out of  the Best Audio category)

Resources - Join our Discord (https://discord.gg/GWNa2e46F8) to find a team and other ways keep your project on track.

Questions? Feel free to post a question in the Community board or reach out to us at bay.game.orchard@gmail.com if you have any questions about this jam.