What:

Exams done. Assignments over. It's time to let loose and enjoy flexing those newly toned creative muscles in a pressure free environment.

In December 10th 2021,  Torrens game staff will be running an end of year student hackathon

This is a 2 day event where students will create a project from scratch. Due to covid concerns, this will take place online on the Torrens University Gaming Society discord and on this page. Come join for a chance to meet some new people, practice the skills you've learnt over the year and most of all, have fun!

Details:

Dates: 7:00pm 10th of December until 11:59pm 12th of December (Times in AEDT)

Discord Link: https://discord.gg/Df9pytg

We will be using the server as the main source of communication between facilitators and attendees. Make sure have notifications on to avoid missing out on information and updates.  Admins will also be available to answer questions and assist throughout the event. 

What can I make?

Anything! You could say you have the freedom to make whatever you want.

This can range from a game where you have to escape a jail, a soundtrack that makes you feel like going out and doing something, to a character with a bubbly personality.  The challenge is that you have to meet the theme of 'Freedom' somehow, as well as the sub-themes revealed on the day.

Prizes:

There is a variety of awards a project can win which are shown below. Projects will be voted for a week after the jam ends by the public based on how well they fit these categories.

• "Play of the Game" (best game) 
• "Eye Candy"  (most appealing visuals)
• "Sound Wizard" (best developed soundtrack)
• "I approve" (best project voted by mods)
• "Freedom" (best fits the themes)

Over $100 worth of prizes are available, so get excited!

Who can participate?

Groups participating in this event must have at least 1 current Torrens student to be valid for prizing. 

Please keep in mind that this is a casual event intended for Torrens students to share what they have learnt and to show off student talent, so we ask that you maintain this spirit.

Theme:

The core theme for this particular hackathon is "Freedom". 

3 more specific topics will be provided on the first day of the jam which attendees will have to pick 2 in addition to the core theme to construct their projects to address. Get excited but also join with a clear and open mind, getting inspired by the topics revealed at the event. 

These three topics are:

1. Safety in numbers 
2. Stuck in a room 
3. You're not supposed to be here

FAQ:

Are there any restrictions to team size?

There is no maximum or minimum team sizes but we recommend teams to have 5 members or less (I'm sure if you have worked with groups before, you understand how difficult it can be to manage larger groups). If you want to work with others but you don't know where to start, there will be a looking for team channel on the discord server.

Can I use assets made outside of the jam?

You may absolutely use assets created before the jam as long as they belong to you. Do keep in mind that the majority of the game should be developed during the jam and that assets should be used to assist with prototyping as opposed to directing your design.

What if I don't know how to make a game?

No problem! There's a couple directions you can take in this situation. You can team up with others who have game development experience if you would like to focus on a certain area such as art or music. Another option is to learn how to make a game! It's not too difficult to make something simple using engines such as Unity, Godot or RenPy while following along with a tutorial. Otherwise, feel free to try and make something for another category.

What if my project ends up terrible or dysfunctional?

That's what hackathons are for! By making failing fast, you can learn a lot faster than you would starting a year long project and failing then. Everyone is at a different stage in their journey and have their own unique strengths, as long as you learnt something new or had fun, then everything is fine!

Questions:

If you have any further questions, please let a facilitator know on the Torrens University Gaming Society discord server.