Many thanks for this post! I (still) totally agree that game jams are ultimately about creativity, fun, and community. It’s so easy to get caught up in the competitive aspect, but at the end of the day, the joy of creating something unique and sharing it with others is what truly matters. Your reminder about "comparison being the thief of joy" is spot on... I think this was also the problem of the recent post, that is now deleted. It’s all too easy to lose sight of the passion and effort behind our projects when we focus solely on ratings or rankings... I am glad that still the most people shared valuable input instead of rushing through every game.
At the end of the day, creating something that connects with even a small group of people is incredibly rewarding. Thanks also for reiterating the community rules, It’s a great reminder to keep the environment positive and supportive for everyone involved. Let’s keep celebrating the creativity and passion that make game jams so special!