It's our first game jam for UTASPlay! UTASPlay is an initiative by staff at the University of Tasmania to (among other things) support students in their game development and creative journeys through mentoring and events (like this one).

The UTASPlay Jam is a chance for you to get together in a team or solo and build a game from scratch in just under 3 days. Creatives with any background are encouraged to form teams and collaborate on making a creative piece that roughly matches the theme New Beginnings. UTASPlay is a new beginning for us, and this jam is a celebration of that, and the amazing things to follow.

The UTASPlay Jam is open to current UTAS students only, however past students and industry creatives are welcome to register as mentors. Registration is essential so that we can get an idea of numbers. 

This is intended to be an in-person jam, to help build our community and make a more dynamic and productive working environment. Other than people in not in the south of the state, people should work on their games together in the working space in Sandy Bay.

Registration form for current students:
https://forms.gle/jqhYMH1FTYiDHYo18

Registration form for mentors:
https://forms.gle/adi3CPCHgxSTipNYA

Join the Discord Server:
https://discord.gg/MARjWhXuGd

Details
Friday 1st July to Sunday 3rd July
Centenary 139, Sandy Bay Campus (that's the space on the bottom floor next to Cianos/Trade Table/Harvard Lecture Theaters. That's building 14 on this map.
Jam starts at 12 noon on the Friday (be there a little bit beforehand)
Jam will finish with a showcase from 4-6pm on the Sunday
For people without security-card access (mentors), there should be someone to let you in/out on the Saturday from 12 to 8, and Sunday 12 to 6.

FAQs (will be updated as more questions come in/more info is available)

• Do I need to have a team already worked out before this event, or can I work solo?
  • If you already know who you want to work in a team then come as a team. There'll be an opportunity to find other people looking for a team at the start if there are enough numbers, or you may be able to add your skills to an existing team. You can also work solo. You do you! 
• Do I need to be there the whole time? Can I sleep there?
  • No. And No. Work as much or as little as you like, but we can't be responsible for or condone people sleeping on campus. Make sure to get a good sleep each night and don't work too hard! Just try to be there for the start and end of the event.
• We know the theme, can I start building the game now?
  • The spirit of letting you know the theme now is for you to think about your idea and prepare in advance, but the spirit of a game jam is to build something from scratch within the time limit.
• I'm from Launceston / elsewhere. Can I still participate?
  • You are welcome to participate via the UTASPlay Discord Server https://discord.gg/BmaaAZdc?event=985301909600620605, and share your work digitally, but there are no plans for a hosted event in Launceston for this first jam. The team will be lurking the Discord throughout the event (particularly Lindsay), so we'd love for you to participate through that!
• Is there a prize!?
  • Only a sense of accomplishment that you've built something in a short period of time. Sorry :P We will have a show-and-tell at the end to celebrate what we've built though.
• Do I need to bring my own hardware?
  • We will be in the Centenary 139 computer lab / open working space area, so if you have a working UTAS login you are welcome to use the machines here. However you may want to bring your own laptop/computer/monitors to work on, but if you want internet access you will need to be set up to use eduroam.
  • You are responsible for the security of your own belongings at this event.
  • Bring headphones if your game will have audio, to be respectful of others :)
• Will there be food/drink?
  • No. This is not a catered event. 
  • However we hope to have access to the student kitchenette next to the computer lab (after-hours access will be required), and *may* have a toastie machine and bread on hand (you would need to bring your own fillings and be responsible for keeping the space clean).
  • Ciano's Expresso Bar (formerly Trade Table) will be open on Friday the 1st and *might* be open just for us on Saturday the 2nd if there is enough interest.
  • No eating in the labs (bottled water only).
• Do I need to wear a mask?
  • Yes. This is a masked event, other than when eating and drinking. Note that only bottled water is allowed in the event space, all other food and drink needs to be consumed outsideof the working space.

We hope to see you there!