Welcome to My First Game Jam: Summer 2017! For those of you just joining us, it's been a tradition to kick things off with a little getting-to-know-you questionnaire! For the first-time game developer, things can be pretty intimidating... which is why we want to show you you're not alone! 

Posting in this thread is not necessary, but we'd love for you to share your influences, passions, and jam goals with the rest of us. Who knows — you might meet a potential team member, or even a new friend!

Onto the questions!

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

My name's Kyle, and I'm not a cop.

More seriously, I'm a games hobbiest. I saw this jam advertised on the Itch.io front page, thought "what could possibly go wrong?", and signed up. God help me.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

Never done a jam before. I joined because I want to make a game, and I don't know how else it's gonna happen. I'm pretty sure this jam will end with me setting myself on fire, but YOLO!

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

The problem with finding favorite games is that they cost money, and I've never had a lot of that. Most of my favorite games are hand-me-downs that I never had a choice of playing, good or bad. With that in mind, here's my picks:

Timesplitters 2

A decent shooter, it does the job; nothing more, nothing less. What I remember fondly is the Mapmaker. That tool tricked kid me into learning programming. Well, more like learning programming concepts, but it did the job. In a way, Timesplitters 2 was how I made my first "games".

Halo 3

Another decent-ish shooter that I don't care for much these days, but it included some handy tools for creating maps. If those tools weren't there, I'm not sure who I'd be today.

Pokemon XD: Gales of Darkness

A favorite I hold close to my heart, this game showed me the power of innovation in a series that was stagnating at the time. There's plenty of tropes and technique in this I'd like to steal one day (creature personalities defined by animations, a battle system tweaked to encourage emergent combos and strategies, battle cinematography including dolly cams, aerial shots and more that emulated sports events, and so much more) But most importantly, it was a game that made it fun to be the good guy. You were a Lawful Good protagonist, and it was fun! That might not mean a lot, but it's something I feel is greatly lacking in modern gaming.

Pathologic

A game I haven't played cough money cough, but it's a clear inspiration. Pathologic drives everyone that plays it insane (not a joke; check out Pathologistics to watch it happen). It's a narrative masterpiece I hope to emulate, not necessarily in tone, but in technique. What beliefs can I impose on players, and can I impose these beliefs without them ever knowing it's happening? If I show them how they were manipulated, would they believe me? If Pathologic is anything to go by, I'm not sure I want the answers.

RPG Shooter: Starwish

A fantastic shoot-em-up with engaging narrative, created by only one person, distributed for free. I'm probably looking at it with rose colored glasses, but regardless, the very idea that one person could make a good game is inspiring. Starwish being free probably helped.

There's probably more inspirations, but I'll move on.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

No what am I doing here HELP

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Apart from games, you mean?

I'm really into music. And by music, I mean I listen to silly love songs, death metal, and everything in between. I believe videogame music is in a ghetto of sorts, and it's partly of it's own volition. How many games have vocals? When was the last time you played a game and thought "Wow, that instrumentalist is really skilled"? Listen to an instrumental band, then listen to a video game track, and tell me there isn't a quality difference. Granted, I'm oversimplifying things; Pokemon XD: Gales of Darkness has a killer bass riff, Halo has that distintive guitar triplet, etc. But even games that have "good" soundtracks use musical genres that don't have much appeal otherwise. Skyrim has some good music, but when was the last time you heard a classical band? How many chiptune fans aren't gamers? I want to see a game with music that appeals to more than just gamer demographics.

I'm also a firm believer in games as edutainment (even if they're not trying to be or don't know what they're talking about. See everyone that thinks they know how the military works after playing Call of Duty, or that they know how a car handles after playing Forza). I believe games have a responsibilty to represent their subject matters truthfully, even if it isn't fun, because someone's going to believe your game is "realistic". That means, when you sprint in a shooter with your finger on the trigger and your gun pointed at your foot, I want the inevitable to happen. That means, when you tried and take on an army single-handedly, you die. I don't mind a power fantasy, but no amount of power should let you be a GTA protagonist and still have fun. Okay, you can try being an asshole, but it shouldn't be fun. Because that's not how life works, no matter what games teach us.

I also want games to be fun. I know, not all games need to be fun, and I understand that. But I believe fun games are a million times more persuasive. It's so much easier to accept a shitty message if it's delivered in a fun format. It creates the argument (intentionally or not) "Okay, this might be morally wrong, but it's fun, so it doesn't matter." And then you're tempted to stop being skeptical of what the game's trying to say, because if you did, you can't have fun anymore. No one should have to choose between being a good person and having fun, and so I want to make games where being good is fun.

Looking back, I realised I just talked about games the entire time. I apologize for the redundancy, but I'm keeping it this in, because damn do I love games.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

I put so much effort into this forum post because I'm trying to figure out what I want to make. I have beliefs and artistic ideas I really want to fulfill, but I don't have the technical knowledge to make it happen. I don't know how to use any game engines and I don't know much programming. If I can get those skills so I can work on what I'm passionate about, then I'll be happy. Now, how that's going to happen...oh god NO I'M NOT HAVING A PANIC ATTACK WHY DO YOU ASK

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi, I'm anomaly. I'm a programmer though my current job is not related to video games.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I didn't participate in any of previous jams, though I participated in one Global Game Jam event as a part of a team (that was made up at the event). This time, after getting better in Unity, I feel that I can enter jam not as a part of a larger team, but to make my own game.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

It's really hard to choose my absolutely favorite games, but if I have to I would say:

• Ori And The Blind Forest - Cute protagonist with story that's both beautiful and sad. I love both the gameplay, the graphics and how they seem to blend into each other.
• Crypt Of The Necrodancer - Awesome combination of rhythm game and rougelike. It doesn't suffer from early level dullness like Binding Of Isaac or Spelunky, and the feeling of quickly making decision to the rhythm of great music is just fantastic.
• Undertale - Great story with both funny and sad moments. IMO this game is showing the direction where future games should go. It's one of few games that really utilized games as a different medium than movies or books.
• Night In The Woods - 2D exploration adventure game with great soundtrack, many hidden stuff to explore and a great story with many themes that I haven't seen explored in video games before.
• Heroes Of Might And Magic 3 - Great old time classic, one of the games that probably would never get old. When I'm stressed and want to relax I start map on knight difficulty, turn on music or podcast, and enjoy the slaughter of computer's armies.

I general I think that my ideal game is 2D games with non-human protagonists/NPCs and story set in crapsaccharine world.

Though I think that the most inspiring for me were countless of freeware games on rpgmaker.net. I played a lot of them as a teen. Their quality varied from masterpieces from Lysander to first projects of 12 yo. kids that were quickly forgotten by the them. These games introduced me to the idea that everyone can make a game. Even if sometimes they probably shouldn't.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I experimented a little with RPG Maker 2k3, but it was a long time ago. I still have the project backed up, even if only for the nostalgia.
I made some simple games with XNA and Unity in the past. Currently I'm making simple arkanoid clone in Unity.
Also I've made Unity Certification on last Unite Europe.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Games. Both playing and making. Duh.
Science. I love reading popular-science books, when I'm more experienced in writing games I would mind to try use games as edutainment like Colobot, etc.
I'm also interested in AI, especially in games. I've made poker bot as a master thesis.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

I want to:

• Make something that is in working state. That would be my first game published to the whole world (Unless I finish my arkanoid clone before jam).
•  Learn how to make 2D platformers in Unity. I experimented a little in unity with them, but effects were sloppy.
• Have fun. ^_^

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

I only was one one game jam before, and it was 48 hours jam, so I don't know how much applicable this advice is to itch.io jam but...
If you're working in a team make sure that everyone has the same version of the engine before the jam starts. Also make sure that everyone knows how to integrate source control with the engine. Synchronizing with pendrives when the clock is ticking is not fun.

Hey everyone!  Thought i'd introduce myself

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

My name is Chris, I've been a indie developer for some years now. but actually started having the 'will' to actually start releasing products 

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

First time hearing about the Jam.  My reason for joining is to network.  Make some new friends above all.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I love sandbox games. Mainly Minecraft (modded) but more importantly I love RTS games such as Command & Conquer

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I work in multiple engines. from Construct 2, Unity3D, RPG Maker MX.  I've created a few games. Got them ported on the Nintendo Wii U (Sketch Wars, Cube Blitz). Used Unity3d to make a few android games. Currently working with Xbox (Microsoft) to get 2 of our newer games ported (See Wizards:Home in my profile)

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I love telling a story through games.  My first passion is Cinematography and Post Production but requires good cameras and crew for that. 

6. What are your goals for this game jam?'

I'm mainly here for networking

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

Dont be afraid to release something.  If you keep polishing it you'll never release it. Also. Look up Extra Credits on youtube. it'll save your life.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

my brand name is PrownieBrownieSoft (real name is Hamza Salih),

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

no i didn't join the last jam. the reason i wanted to join the jam is to give myself a challenge to churn out a game, an meet new game devs i suppose.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

i have a number of games i really like, mainly SNES games even though i was born after the 90's.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

i have 5/4 years of experience of game development.

 from 2011-2015 i used scratch https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scratch_(programming_language (which many of the games i made, i did not finish and in 2015 i only made game projects as a joke). i mainly didn't take the game projects i made seriously because i wanted to make the "game of my dreams" in C++ and take THAT seriously (even though i never bothered to teach myself C++).

in 2016 i was trying to decide if i wanted to use unity or game maker, which i settled on unity.  after i created my first finished game on unity https://prowniebrowniesoft.itch.io/bownty-hunter i dropped my "dream game" idea in order to make other games. i think that was one of the best decisions i've made.

from then on i started to make more simple games that i actually finish, gaining skills and experience in the process. i am also learning a bit of C++ on the side which unity made easier to learn.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

gaining new skills from game development.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

to make a simple and fun puzzle game, meet other game developers and gain a bit of  a following (maybe).

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

i've only joined one other jam, so i can't really advise you. i suppose you shouldn't avoid jams if you are new to game making, they force you to make simple games with the time constraints.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hello, My name is Kelvin Ferreira, and I am software developer that want to change the carreer to make some games and live life doing what I love. My goal is game design.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No. But I have 1 game that I've made with a team for a Jam. My reason is to improve my skills with deadlines.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I like action games, strategic games, FPS and MOBA. I play a lot of Dota2. Mostly was the action games that inspired me to make my owns.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I have experience with Unity3d, but I am at "Level 2" yet. Right now i'm Farming my level 6 to get my ultimate skill.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I like to make things fun, and meaningfull. I love games because they teach to not give up, to try again, to do better. I want to challenge the player to improve its skills, and achieve the goals.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

1 player with at least 3 mechanics, 2 types of enemies (with good AI), 1 boss, 1 good level

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

I am not a veteran, but I liked very much of an advice bellow from @Onnion: "Done is better than perfect!"

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi! I'm Nic. I'm currently a university student with dreams of being a game design someday!!

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I did! I didn't end up submitting a game, though. This time I'm going to try to actually submit a game.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I really love the Dark Souls-es and Undertale because of their themes about friendships/relationships. I also really love games like Hotline Miami and 30 Flights of Loving for how stylish they are (and how wonderful their soundtracks are!)

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I am an expert at half finishing games! I have about 4-5 unfinished projects on all sorts of engines - Unity, LÖVElua, Gamemaker, Stencyl, etc.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Uh, Videogames, of course! Also loving your friends and tipping your waiters!

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

I get hung up a lot on worrying that  whatever I'm working is "not good enough". I want to just make something and publish and have some people play it for once!

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

Here's one: buy some pens and a notebook! Pen-and-paper game design ahead of time will save you a bunch of headaches in the "what-direction-do-I-take-this" department down the road! ALSO! Don't worry too much if your game is good or bad! Those are subjective categories! Just make something and get it out there!!

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

I'm Maxine, I'm going to college in the fall. I love games but I'm also a bit of a jock who loves biking and snowboarding (a jamer if you will)

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

Nope, I'm just really interested in making games (it's basically one of my dreams to be a game dev)

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

My favorite games are probably the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series, but really any game inspires me if it's doing something I think is super unique and cool! My favorite thing of all in a game though is great characters and powerful emotions!

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

A little bit, most of my experience is in Ren'Py and RPG Maker.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Video games! I love playing them and I love talking about them, if you get to know me you'll find that the more I criticize something the more I like it, because I think it'd be great if something that's already okay or pretty good became great!

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

Make a game? I'm not really sure.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hello, my name is mira. Nice to meet all of you. 

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No, actually, I've managed to watch each one of these pass by, as I follow the tumblr page. I think there's been like, 2? or 3? that I've been to scared to participate in, just preemptively getting down on myself for failing to follow through. I finally joined this time bc I want to silence those voices that keep me from trying.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

The WindWaker is a big favorite of mine. The World Ends With You changed everything I thought I knew about RPGs. The Metroid Prime series features some of my favorite visual and written storytelling, and I loved that you had to go looking for it. Similar to the Soulsborne games now, Bloodborne being my favorite, that and the Dark Souls lore/worldbuilding/story as a whole are just...fantastic.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

Nope.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Shoot, uh, 

...shoot. 

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

To produce a short story told either visually or through one of the various VN/interactive fiction software. 

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi, name is Zaquira and a person who likes to find new things to do

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

no, first time. My reason is cause I love making things its just something i do.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

my favorite games are like a long list.  I love visual novels, rpgs, and esepcialy indie games no matter how simple they may look.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

nope

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

creatvity, i love being creative with no matter what i do. 

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

personally just to start something and go through with it. I always seem to lost interest in any project I do.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi! I'm Michelle. I'm a software developer from WI.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No, I didn't.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

The first games I played when I was a kid were Eternal Daughter and Cave Story (probably because you could get them for free on your PC). I was impressed that they were made by just one or two ordinary people, and that definitely inspired me to try to make games. Nowadays I'm into TF2, the Binding of Isaac, and the Tales games- but I'll try pretty much any game.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I don't have that much experience with game development. I took a college course in designing virtual worlds for education, and I made a virtual world in Unity for learning about outer space, and that's the only "real" thing I've done that's related. Sometimes I make really small RPGMaker games.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Obviously programming and video games, but I have a lot of other interests as well! I love sewing and crafts in general, and I have a small business selling my own stuffed animals. I also really like music, and I like making simple songs with MIDI.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

To make at least one playable level, and to submit it at the end of this game jam!

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

my name is Yann, i'm french (baguette), i'm a student in electronics and IT.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I want to find out if i can work in Game dev, if i'm good at it, i'll enjoy it for sure.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

i like games that have depth. it can be his story which is interesting and immersive, or his game mechanics that are really complex, i like most games, but for example i will say Zelda, Kerbal Space Program, Minecraft.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

i'm not that experienced in Game dev , i worked on a game by making my own game engine, this is how i enjoy to do stuff, think about how you can do it, before using something already made.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Computers, from early i lived surrounded by them, they are facinating, how theses thing have changed the world, and how they are still changing it.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

find out if i want to make Games for a living, i will be starting new studies next september.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

i'm not vetaran, however even the fool can give forthy advices. don't work alone at a game jam, this is made to enjoy your passion with others before even making a competition.

Bonne chance a tous, Joyeuse Game Jam

(good luck to everyone, happy Game Jam)

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

My name is Samuel Allison, born and raised and still living in England. I'm still in school, but not to cool though.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No, just heard about this jam from a friend. My reason for joining is that I want to test myself and make a game and have an excuse to show it to everyone on the Internet.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

Kameo. The best game on the Xbox 360. I'm hoping I can reference it or use mechanic ideas explored in that game.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I have minimal experience. Mainly messing about in GameMaker: Studio (which I will be using) and Unity. 

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I'm passionate about getting addicted to lore, and geeking out over computers and anime.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

My goal is to make a thing that does things. Honestly, I'd be stoked, even if that is all I get done.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

I'm no veteran, but I once heard this on a YouTube video: 'A good dev does not hold all knowledge there is. They know where to find said knowledge'. Basically, if you don't know something, don't be afraid to search the Internet. Don't give up on an idea or mechanic just because you don't know how to get it working, or don't know the code needed.Someone out there will know, and will help you out.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

My name is Joel McDonald and I'm very into video games and technology

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I haven't participated in any of the MFGJ Jams, but I did participate in a small jam earlier this weeks. I joined because I felt like I fell under the category of a beginner developer, and I felt this would be a great way to better my skills as a game dev

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I really enjoy sandbox and RPG games. I felt like Undertale (don't hate) really inspired me to make a game due to the amount of success it got with its minimalistic and, honestly, terrible and inconsistent art style. Minecraft was a big inspiration, too, for the same reasons. It was just one person that turned a small game into something amazing.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I have a small amount of experience in game creation, and I use Unity. I have a general understanding of the engine, and I've made a few things in it based on tutorials and such.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I'm very passionate about music and technology! I feel like both are a good combination when it comes to game development

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

 I just want to make something that works and is at least a little bit fun to play.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

Not a veteran by any means :/

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Feel free to call me Beth or Mouse. My passions include drawing cute things and being terrible at video games!

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

Nope, this is my very first jam! I've wanted to make games ever since I first played Mario.

Technically I started on a game a few months ago, but sadly I lost all my progress. And this was the perfect chance to start again!

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

Yume Nikki, Very Retrouvaille & Melon Journey among others! I adore the calmness of the latter two, and have been wanting to make a game in the same spirit!

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

Not really, I started learning RPG Maker, but I've forgotten most of it now. Relearning it plus learning new thing should be fun!

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Drawing & Storytelling! I have always loved making up stories and drawing them into comics. And game's are also a great storytelling tool I've wanted to try out!

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

Probably the same answer as everyone else, to make a fully functional game, that others will hopefully like! And also to learn the basics of making a game, so I can hopefully make more!

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hey, I'm Noss I'm 15 and started making games at 12 on Game Maker Studio (I haven't been making games for the whole time) I took a break for a while then found out about Unity and that's what I am currently using. Oh and I like to stream me playing games on twitch sometimes.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No I did not but my reason  for joining is because its meant for beginners in game making, I've made a couple game here and there that I never published but it was all from looking the scripts up online and typing them in myself, I am currently learning C# I have very basic knowledge when it comes to it though and this seems like a good place for beginners and I am looking to make a game to publish even if its not that great my only problem is I can't seem to keep the motivation to make the games and I give up on them so I figured joining a game jam would help break that.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

This is hard... I don't think I have one I love almost any genre and I love playing new games.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I have slight experience with GM Studio

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I am passionate about anything games (and some computer stuff).

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

My goals are to finish a game... that's it.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

This is my first game jam so I am open to any advice.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hello hello! Dreammelter here! I'm an interactive media student... who's sorta been outta college for a little while now and hasn't tried to make a game since high school. ><; I consider myself a 2D artist  s l o w l y  embracing 3D. Nice to meet you all!

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I haven't participated in any jam previously (If you ignore that one time I did enter one and then promptly exited a few hours later....orz) 

I legit came here on a whim lmao. I was just casually visiting Itch earlier when I noticed it on the front page... I saw this was a jam open to beginners that would last two weeks so I immediately joined. At that point, I didn't even realize this jam is aptly titled for my first foray haha.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I like a variety of games -- even in genres that I generally don't get the chance to play long enough to truly experience. While my go-to game for this sorta question is usually JSRF, I do love Tekken... and the form of role playing that I'd engage in with my sisters, which we just referred to as "The Game." (Now that I think about, most people call it "house" or "make-believe.") For me, I love the feeling of experimentation and exploration, so I'm often inspired by action/adventure games -- especially those with some level of simulation in them (like sandboxes or "immersive sims.") It's the main genre I feel like I haven't gotten to witness the full breadth of.

I should also mention that FF inspired me to pursue 3D art. Thank you for introducing me to my life's greatest conflict, Square Enix; I no longer wanna draw comics for a living.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

One time I built a board game outta glue and construction paper when I was a kid. It was like Monopoly but with more cars and shops like the kind in Mario Party 4 and it didn't make my sister hate me. (Oh, and it featured my OCs.)

Then in high school, I (sorta-not-really) learned how to program a meteor-shooting game in Java and, the next year, attempted to build a 3D open world RPG w/ somewhat complex mini games in Unity........... Like an idiot. My partner and I could've done more than an 80p design doc and a couple models if I were more disciplined (or-- even better -- scaled the scope of the game to something more manageable,) but... I was convinced everything would be fine. (It sorta was, but I was definitely unfulfilled/disappointed.)

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Korean girl/boy bands. Fight me. I've been in that game for almost 10 years now.  Did I say that? I meant sociology and philosophy. Or puppies and good vibes. Or CG and game dev. God I love game dev why haven't I built something in so long?? I spend more time watching YouTube videos and reading articles about it that I just... forgot... I could... dig in. With my own two hands.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

• One: Finish a complete game/experience to learn some UE4 Blueprint Basics.  Every goal after this is an optional enhancement to consider.
• Two: Craft it so the player would glean something about the theme from the experience. (Guess we gotta figure out exactly what veeeery soon.)
• Three: If Two is going well, polish the atmosphere of the game a bit. I'm not expecting to reach this point.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

I am not a vet, but man lemme tell ya: Scope is no joke!! There a number of things that could probably expand your game to be bigger than you thought, so be flexible and ready to just cut things down to size. Ask for opinions/input, too.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

hii, i'm seymour !!  i work mostly in rpgmaker mv and vx ace and i'm super looking forward to finally maybe completing a game this summer !!

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

nope ;; i joined because i feel like this jam is the push i need in order to actually get shit done. with people relying on my and stuff i cant afford to slack off !!

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

i love animal crossing, yo-kai watch, pokemon, all mario games, nintendo shit. magicians quest mysterious times is a great game!!  i also like horror a lot, silent hill two and three are my favorites in that category !!!! yo-kai watch and animal crossing definitely made me want to make my own game, which is why my game idea is kind of a mix of those things haha.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

i have been twiddling around in rpg maker for about five years now, but have never finished a full game!! but i'm pretty solid at eventing, using scripts, and doing teh art portion of everything.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

poetry and art and creation in general!!!!! i try to create always

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

to put together at least a demo that i and my teammates can feel proud of. i want to feel accomplished with what i've done, no matter what it is.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi! I go by Scuqualo on the Internet and I'm an Italian university student. I'll be teaming up with a couple of friends, maybe I'll edit their names here, but I'll have to ask them first. Edit: One of them couldn't help us because of life issues and the other is Homuncolo. <- this is also where you'll find the finished game.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No, this will be the first videogame for everyone in the team (which by the way doesn't have a name yet, we accept suggestions for badass or goofy team names). Since we like to make our life complicated we'll start working on the game on the 28th of July, this has nothing to do with my uni exam on that same day... Nothing at all.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I really like Bastion, Transistor and the Mirror's Edge franchise, but the unifying factor across the team is Undertale and we hope to take a lot of inspiration from that.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

Well I built a couple of card games (still in prototype phase) but we're essentially picking up GameMaker Studio 2.0 from scratch.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Netrunner is an amazing cardgame. It explores a lot the possibilities of gameplay with hidden information, it's a shame it's super complicated and hard to teach.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

Me personally I want to see how hard can I work for something I'm really passionate about. I love gamedesign but I've never had the chance to delve into it for more than a couple of hours at a time. I hope I can put in 40 hours of work into this, we'll see how it goes!

Good luck to everybody!

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

my name is red (ghoullunar) and i'm very nervous

everybody else has been saying what they do for school. im an intended english writing major going into my second year.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

i've never made a game before.

as for why i'm joining... i've always wanted to make a game. i just think that would be nice. having support is nice too.

i'm not familiar with game jams. i played Princess Remedy in a World of Hurt which was made for a game jam and that's about as far as i've been.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

in terms of games that inspire me to make games, i really like the rpg maker horror games. ao oni is a favorite of mine. also IMSCARED is very good. 

in general, i like nintendo and square enix games, and i like the mystery dungeon genre. my favorite game is Izuna 2: the Unemployed Ninja Returns, and also Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky and Animal Crossing New Leaf. Metal Gear Solid (thru 4) is also an inspiration in how i like to do stories.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

i started a basic text based adventure game in ADRIFT but couldn't figure out how to keep the story going after the first couple rooms

also i looked up some rpg maker tutorials once (i didn't read them)

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

i'm really passionate about writing. i want to do scripts for games. that's my dream job. i don't really know how that happens, but i want to get there.

and i really like to cook. it's something that came out of my love of video games. i'm really good at Cooking Mama (Cooking Mama and WarioWare are the only games i would actually describe myself as very good at) and seeing the steps and dishes while playing made me want to try doing it for myself. the internet makes it really easy to look up recipes, and the satisfaction that comes with making a complicated dish properly is immense.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

-make sure people know if my computer is being shipped back late (the hinges broke and its in two pieces but hopefully it will be returned before the actual making bits)

-choose between ADRIFT and RPG Maker (ADRIFT seems more likely)

-don't make it too long

-finish it

-only cry 10 times or less (stretch goal) (i'm really nervous)

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi! Homuncolo here, but you can call me Lorenzo too if you prefer. I'm an Italian university student, and I'll be teaming up with Scuqualo (you can find his own post a couple messages above this one).

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

Nope! I did not participate in any jams prior to this one. I decided to join since it seemed to me like a great opportunity to delve into game making and designing, two things I really love, but sadly never managed to pick up as something more than a small hobby. University is gonna get in the way this time too, but I hope we'll make do with the time we have!

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

Oh, boy. It's uh... Tough. When it comes to videogames, I loved "American McGee's Alice", "The Witcher III: Wild Hunt", Silent Hill games and "The Town of Light", but there are a good bunch I'm skipping on. When it comes to a different medium, though, I really enjoy playing Magic: The Gathering and 7Wonders.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I dabbled a bit with RPGMaker VX Ace and with Game Maker Studio 1.4, but never actually published nor completed any game. With the rest of the team, we'll be picking up Game Maker Studio 2.0.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Character interactions! That's something that always floated my boat when it comes to games of any kind, and not only in games.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

I'd love to be able to create a small, simple game I can be happy about, and see how much I can learn in the process!

(My English can be kind of bad sometimes, so, sorry)

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hello! My name is Felipe, but people call me Felipovysk.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No. I entered since I (and my friend) needed some kind of kickstart to make a game.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

My favorites' list is composed by Nintendo, since I've been playing them since I was little. Yeah, that's where my passion for games was born.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

Kind of. I had a school assignment to create a game in C, 2 years ago, and another for C# last year. However, they weren't made with proper engines.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Something that always has my fascination is procedural generation. Something about it just draws my attention completely.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

We want to create our first "proper" game, and have some fun with it, while also practicing our teamwork.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

My name is Kaitlyn. I've been interested in making games for years but only now have the knowledge and tools to start.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No, I have never participated in any game jam. I'm joining because I want to learn more about making games, and because it will be a new experience for both me and the friend I'm working with (Plus anyone else who may or may not join our team).

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I have a lot of favorites. Too many probably. I tend to like games that are unique. That tell a different story, or have a different way of telling it. Or games with choices. Undertale, OneShot, and To the Moon are a few of my favorites. I also like pretty much anything Nintendo.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

 I've used RPG Maker before but have yet to actually finish a game. I should've started with a smaller project for my first game but I'm doing okay working on it bits at a time. It won't be done for months still though.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Making things I guess? And helping people.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

To finish a game and share it with people, and to learn more about all the different parts of game developement.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

My name's Geneva, but you can call me Gen! >v> I'm a high school student(i'm gonna be a senior) that loves making video games and playing video games!

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

Nope I haven't! But I wanted to join to try learning something new under a constrained time limit.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?
My favorite games of all time are Pokemon Colosseum and and Paper Mario: TTYD and they haven't inspire me to make my own. I was actually inspired  by a lot of visual novels and RPGMaker games to make my own. (Specifically Nomnomnami's stuff really inspired me!!)

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

Yep! I've been making games since last year. I mainly have experience in Renp'y( I made games with my friends under sasskurasaphicgames) I also messed around with RPGMaker, GameMaker and recently Unity.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I'm passionate about music and having LGBTQA characters in games!

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

I have 3 goals for this game jam:

- Learn how to make a pause menu - Learn how to make a character customization feature  - Learn how to create a script that allows the game to work on mobile and in a browser

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

Don't stress on perfection! The experience and knowledge you gain from trying to make a game in a short amount of time is what matters. c:

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?
Hello all, my name is Luke. I'm a software engineer, I grew up with it and have been working professionally for the last 10+ years.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?
I did not as I wasn't aware of it.

• Sim City 2000
• Cities Skylines
• Half-Life Series
• Portal 1/2
• Final Fantasy VII/XII
• Wipeout Series
• Command & Conquer: Red Alert
• Dwarf Fortress
• Dungeon Keeper 1/2
• Worms

Early on I was inspired by Final Fantasy VII and came up with some ideas around stories for an RPG type game. More recently I have been inspired by Dwarf Fortress and would really love to take on a project of that scope even if it goes nowhere but my own PC.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?
I do not.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!
I love programming, I've been doing it for as long as I can remember and I've wanted to develop a game for a while.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?
I think I mostly just want to learn from it, I don't really have an end goal of "I need a finished game that can be played".

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?
Not a veteran

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi, I am James, I am a game design student at NHTV (Netherlands)

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No I did not, I am joining this time around mainly to have something to keep me busy during the summer, and of course to try out some new tools (more about this on answer to question #6)

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

Spyro the Dragon, Sly Raccoon, Kingdom Hearts, Assassin's Creed, and The Elder Scrolls

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I have been making games for roughly three years now, in my first year I went from trying to build 2D games in GameSalad to trying 3D games in Unity, I made nothing playable back then, but I was still getting the basics of how to build a game back then

Two years ago I joined NHTV, I have since worked on 8 different proper game projects made in Unity 3D, and became very proficient with that engine

I switched to Unreal Engine at the beginning of this year, and worked on 3 projects with it so far, and it is now currently my engine of choice.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I like videogames (duh)

I like computers and built my own and even made a mini cabinet with a raspberry pi.

I like TV series especially scifi and fantasy, and I am a proud Whovian

I also enjoy doing video editing, I used to do it a lot in high school, less since I started university, but I started again lately doing trailers for my games

I always wished I could draw, the thing is when it comes to programming it's about logic, the moment I get how something works I go from having no idea what I am doing to be able to do something perfectly, drawing well would take me insane amount of practice, and I am not patient enough

I sing sometimes, everybody who ever heard me knows I am terrible at it, but I still try to practice once a week

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

As hinted in answer to question #2, I come into this jam with the goal of learning new tools.

My main goal is to learn a new engine, and I am thinking of either either Amazon Lumberyard or CryEngine

I would also like to use this occasion to try out Magica Voxel and Asset Forge, for what I understood from reading the rules of the Jam, using the latter should be permitted

Finally, I would like to create something for HTC Vive, I have been postponing doing so for a long time now

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

Planning in my opinion can be very important even in a jam, the desire to go straight into building the game is strong, but I believe it is best to make a list of things you need to build and do to create your game, estimate how long they will take, plan when to do what, and give yourself deadlines all throughout the jam, this includes the initial brainstorming, do not spend too long waiting for the perfect idea, just spend enough time sorting out a good idea which you can actually start working on

Even tho we have two weeks, I would suggest trying to avoid big concepts, keep it small, and think about what the core experience of your game will be, to discover this you must take your concept, whatever it might be, and start removing elements from it, until all that's left are a few mechanics that are essential to your game, this core gameplay is what needs to work for the player to be engaged, you can add elements back to it later you will have time, but game development start with getting those few mechanics right

Finally, once you have these contained core mechanics figured out, I advise making quick prototypes for them in your engine of choice, it is very important figuring out early on that you can actually build your game idea, you might encounter a technical issue and have to scrap a mechanic and possibly the entire concept, better figure that out sooner than later.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

I'm Peter and I am a computer science student.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

Yes, I technically did. But my schedule ended up having me not be able to work on it.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

My favorite games are strategy, tactics, and rpg games. I certainly want to make some on my own, but I think that's a bigger project for the future.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I took a game design course in university where we were taught Unity. I am not too proud of our result,

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I really love history and trivia about them.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

To make a game by myself, I have either worked in a group before or did not complete it. I hope to be able to the next game jam set a higher goal for myself.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?
Well Hello !
My name is Ashish Gogna, I am a freelance software developer and have just started Game Development ! 
Here's my Website: http://transparentroot.com/

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?
Didn't participate in the last jam. The reason for joining this one is to learn something new (math, art and more) and build something unique! 

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?
I love a lot of games: Papers, Please, Farsh, Cut the Rope, Ridiculous fishing, GTA series, and lot of others !

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?
Yes, I've built and launched my first game using Unity engine about 2 weeks ago.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.transparentroot.leap

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!
3D art, animations, playing games, brainstorming unique game mechanics, gameplays etc.
Although I haven't yet released a lot of work :P

6. What are your goals for this game jam?
A. Coming up with a unique mechanic
B. Making a puzzle game using it

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?
I ain't no Veteran *Carl Johnson's Voice*

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hellooo! My name is Dani. I'm super excited that this jam exists! 

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

Nah, this is my first run. I've always been interested in game design, but I never knew exactly where to start or what I wanted to make. The compilation of resources + community really drew me in and made me think, "Welp, maybe I can do this after all!" 

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

My favorites are: Animal Crossing, Sonic, Silent Hill, Transistor. I'm always a bit inspired by any video game I play, but no, there isn't any specific sort of inspiration which caused me to join the jam.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

Nope! 

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I love experiencing the outdoors -- hiking, camping, kayaking, rock climbing. All that jazz.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

First and foremost, I want to have a working end product. I'm hoping to deliver some edutainment about what daily life is like for someone with a physical disability. If I could teach at least one person what spoon theory really means, I'll have achieved my goal. 

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hey. My name is FrowningAsinus. If that doesn't suite you, I have a few more aliases such as Green or Donkey. I don't like pina coladas but I do like getting caught in the rain. I can't do yoga because my balance is worse than a baby's first attempt to sit up but I do have (at least) half a brain. 

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

This is my first jam. I have nothing better to do with my free time. Just kidding (sorta), I've always wanted to start making games and this seems like a perfect chance for me to get started. Now that I signed up for something, I can't just quit halfway.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

Final Fantasy Tactics gets first mention because it deserves more attention from SE.
I grew up playing a lot of RPGs like the Final Fantasy series. I grew into strategy games like Age of Empires, XCOM, and Civilization.
I really enjoy certain mechanics in Dark Cloud (1/2), Kingdom Hearts (1/2), XCOM Enemy Within, Final Fantasy (7, 9, 12, T), and probably plenty more.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I took a course that worked a little with Unreal 4. It was a nice experience where I made a split-screen driving/basketball game. It was pretty difficult to work on because we decided that everything except the level had to be done programmatically. Not so smart for a bunch of first-timers on a tight time schedule.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I have started a small culinary journey to become the best cook within my circle of friends and family.
I relax by absorbing manga or anime. I really look for a historical setting  (e.g. Vinland Saga) or great stories (e.g. Silver Spoon) but won't turn away from watching classics (e.g. Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball) or just mindless fun (My Hero Academia).
I really enjoy development, especially anything involving a UI. Outside of game development, I am currently playing a lot with Android.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

I want to accomplish at least 3 of the following:

• Build some interact-able landscape.
• Spawn and script enemy AI.
• Procedurally generate something.
• Incorporate the "dream" theme.
• Do something new and learn.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi hi all my Name is Kat!! XD

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No, I didn't; This will Literally be my First Jam!!! XD I'm Joining cause I have Alot  of Game Ideas I'd like to make someday, but I'm not so good at Pacing myself/have a Lack of Experience in actually Making them start to finish, so. . . So I am joining This and Other jams to give me a set Date/Goal, so I can Learn and Finish things and be able to Point at something/Give something to someone and say "I made this I Hope you enjoy ! >:3" XD

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

*iuytfgyhujk* GOODNESS where to even BEGIN!! I could literally be here be here for Days and not get through it all! XD Well, Let's See;

Myst (Never finished (I played it in like 5th grade ;D;'') Still Love it/the Story, though!! XD), Knights of the Old Republic II (One of the first Real Games I played myself!!! *Love it to Death* and am Pretty Miffed they weren't able to do that Spectacular Ending that was originally planned for it ;D; *Makes ya Cry, Man!*), Jade Empire (ANOTHER OF MY FIRST GAMES!!! Love love LOVE it Love the Lore Love the Characters Love the Story Love love Love it all!! XD *Also makes me cry, Lol ;D;'''*),  Final Fantasy 13 (*KUYTFGH THIS WAS THE GAME THAT FIRST GOT ME BACK INTO GAMING!!!* I mean I had played Games like Halo for years but *THIS game brought me back into Story Based Stuff!!!* (Story/Characters are my Absolute Favorite Parts of Games, Lol, Although Every part is Great!!! XD) I Loved the Characters, the World, the *new*ness of it all. . . The Art killed me, the Music Killed me, the Character Arcs Killed me, . . . It will Forever be in my heart as one of my Absolute Favorites ;u;),  Final Fantasy 4 (I'll be Honest I haven't finished it yet,  but *HO-LAY DANG DO I LOVE IT SO FAR!!!!* THE *CHARACTERS!!!!* (I know I've said that alot, but *uytfghjkl it just means so Much to me/I Love it All* uyttfgyh My Goodness!!! ;D;///) I Really love how you can see what the characters are thinking at any given time if you go to their menu!! XD *It adds So Much Depth to their characters* without being Intrusive on the Story and *uytrfghuj I ADORE it!! XD* Really just Love it guys, Lol XD) Crystal Story 2 (iuytfg I just Love it ;D; Tis so Cute and there's Story and iugyftgvhbjklkji It's just Amazing I Love it ;D;), and the Last one I'll add,  and Probably my Most favorite at this point in time; Hatoful  Boyfriend (*OIUYTFGYHUJI THIS GAME* I DON'T EVEN LIKE DATING SIMULATORS!!! I HATE THEM WITH A PASSION!!! But I saw 'Bird Dating Sim' and I'm like "Nah nah That's just Hilarious Everyone's saying they cry at it Let's take a look" *I CRIED ACTUAL TEARS OVER THIS GAME ;D;* THIS THIS *THIS*THIS Is just a Work of Art Honestly I Love it to Death I Love how they handled the characters/Story/Actual Story It is a Hyper Inspiration and I just Love it Well Done, Hatoful Boyfriend Creator, Well Done ;D;)

so Yeah!! These are the games that Inspire/have Inspired me!! XD These, Plus like *EVERY GAME I'VE EVER WATCHED PLAYED/EVERY STORY I'VE READ/EVERY SHOW I'vE WATCHED/EVERY VIDEO/RANT I'VE WATCHED ON THE SUBJECT/EVERY CONVERSATION I'VE HAD WITH MY FRIENDS OVER STORIES AND CHARACTERS AND* It's just. . .  *there's So Much ;D;'''* Everything I see inspires my Stories/Ideas and I Love love Love it all!! ;D;//

((Also also PS I've Just got a Nintendo 3DS and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ACE ATTORNEY AND GHOST TRICK!! *LOVE LOVE LOVE THOSE* IUGYFG MY GOODNESS ;D;///))

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

A Little!! I have an Associates Degree in Animation/Video game design so I've Taken a few classes!! XD *Is a Chronic Procrastinator, however,* so I have yet to truly Finish a game of my own ;D;'' (I'm hoping this Jam will help me Out of it, Though!! XD) and Ah, Flash for the most part, although I've looked up RPG maker quite a bit, Lol! XD

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

***UNHOLY SCREAMING*** (See #3, Lol!! XD) but YEAH I'm passionate about Life and my *STORIES* That's what Really gets me going X3 *Loves Each and Every One her stories to Death* I want to make them all someday. I've lost count of how much I have but uiyftdckjhgf Some are Manga, Some are Video games, Some are Animations, Some are Animated Series, I have at least One Movie one. . . *shakes head* There's So Much /u\ but Yeah!! I Love Them, to be honest, and I Hope to one day share All of them with Everyone, Lol!!! XD

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

My Goal is to, by the End of 2 weeks/the jam, have a Finished Product (even if it's tiny/not perfect X3) and be able to Show it to people/have them Play it/be proud/Happy over what I have created X3 I Hope this will help me gain Experience in Not just Game development (like, Especially with Music/Code/Putting everything Together, Lol ''XD) but also Time Management (Pacing myself, not going Overboard with Perfectionism but still Doing my Absolute Best, Finishing XD) so I can use it towards All my Next Projects and Games, Lol!! XD *Looks Forward to the Challenge with Anticipation and Excitement >:3*

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

Haha, Nope, Not Yet!! XD Perhaps Someday though, Yeah? ;3 XD

--

Hope Everyone has Fun, I Look Forward to Jamming with you all, Good Luck, Godspeed and God Bless!!! XD

Hello everyone !!

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi! My name is Sara. I'm a québécoise woman currently living in Montréal, recently graduated with a BA in linguistics, will be moving to Finland sometime this summer. I think it's a good time in my life to be trying new things!

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I participated in the last summer jam but I didn't manage to finish my game, despite spending a lot of time on it. I overextended myself and got in a bit of a slump that just threw me off completely. This time I'd like to actually finish my game!

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

Some franchises I really appreciate include Pokemon, Kirby and Legend of Zelda. I'm also really fond of adventure games like the Monkey Island series. I feel really inspired by the level of detail in worldbuilding in Pokemon and really enjoy the sense of exploration that comes with playing these games, so that's something I'd like to carry into the games I do at some point, albeit probably not the one I'll be starting to make now, because that kind of goal would require a bigger-scale project. I also feel really inspired by games like OFF and Cave Story in terms of establishing examples of really high quality games made independently.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I have messed around with Adventure Game Studio and started a game I didn't finish. I also made a tiny Bitsy game in the last week. That's all!

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I'm really passionate about syntax and linguistic fieldwork and I intend on continuing to study linguistics! Also lately I've been feeling really drawn to solarpunk themes and values and I want to incorporate those in the game I'll be making.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

I want to create a complete game and learn the basics of RPGMaker. I also want to have a nice time and meet new people!

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

I would definitely advise fellow participants to keep their initial goals modest: it's easier to scale up than to scale down and scaling down feels pretty demoralizing.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Pierre, but my usernames on websites tend to be VitaminP1/VitaminP or some such permutation 

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I remember this making the rounds last year and thought it sounded cool... just this year I picked up coding in Java and Python so I figured Summer's as good of a time as any!

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I've always liked puzzle games and RPGs (but never had the determination to finish them...). Like Pokemon and stuff... If this means indie games specifically, I don't have much familiarity with them outside of, like, flash games produced during Ludum Dare game jams. But I've always been drawn to the appeal of the art, sound, and writing that goes into games and thought this could be a good jumping-off point!

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

No, unless you count like Stagecast Creator (Sidebar, I have sentimental memories about SC but it doesnt work on my computer :^( )

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I'm a big sucker for musical theatre. There's just something so fascinating about the synthesis of music, dance, and acting into one singular spectacle (kind of like (dun dun dun...) video games!)

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

1. I want to build a simple physics system. Acceleration while falling, mainly. (I'm aiming for a simple story-light platformer because I want to focus more on the construction of the graphics/code than on a story, and I've never coded for 2d physics)

2. I want to devise a system for having multiple "screens" (including a menu or pause screen)

3. I want to at least sprite the main player character, create at least simple backgrounds, and make at least some simple midi to lilt in the background. This seems simple enough although I feel that having simple goals means I can exceed them!

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hello my name is jonathan but i go by kyperbelt on the internet. I like to make games as a hobby but i want it to become more than that one day. 

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

Yes. This time around i joined to get my brother into game development. He has been helping me from time to time with making game assets  but this will be the very first time he is actually active in the development process. 

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I love jrpgs and strategy games. Growing up on Pokemon and Starcraft was pretty awesome and the starcraft campaign editor was what initially inspired me to make games. I have been making them on an off for about 10 years now but never got serious until now. 

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I dont  have any industry experience and have never released a game. I have participated in several game jams over the past year though so thats something right?

My poison of choice is using the Libgdx Framework. It takes care of multi-platform deployment for me and it is also in java which i am proficient in. 

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I enjoy watching my kids play my shitty games. lol. 

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

Hopefully my brother and i can create something special that will stand the test of time.. haha jk we just want to finish get some more experience under our belts. Jamming gives me an adrenaline rush. 

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

Id say in the short time that i have been jamming that the most important thing is to get proper rest. I know it is said time and time again but that is for very good reason. Also take breaks and stretch. 

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hey, I'm Eddie.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

Portal 2 seems to be a good game.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

Back in the days I used to experiment with Game Maker.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Making the world a better place.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

Learn Unity basics and publish some kind of simple game.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

I'm a new jammer.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

My name is Norman B. Lancaster. I work as a software engineer doing business and industrial software. Wanting to make games is what got me into programming at the age of 12, although I've only finished one game in my whole life - a Snake clone :(

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

My all time favorite game is Secret of Mana for the SNES. I still remember the moment sitting in my room playing that game when I thought, "I bet I could make something like this". I spent hours sketching out a plan on paper before realizing I had no idea how to get those ideas into a cartridge. Teachers and mentors would point me toward programming.

Today I mainly play games of the 80's and very early 90's with a few modern Rogue-likes and Rogue-like-lights in there. Games like Metroid, Zelda 2: The Adventures of Link, Ultima 5: Warriors of Destiny, and Nuclear Throne.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I've had more aborted attempts than I care to admit. My one minor success was an XBox Live Indie release of a Snake clone called Snakeman. It sold about 2000 copies. I was very pleased with that. I would have given it away but the terms of the platform did not allow that.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I am very passionate about software engineering. Not only the technical side but also the people side - the soft skills. I am a student of everything that needs to happen to help a team come together and solve complex and interesting problems while still enjoying their job.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

Complete a game! But it has become more than that. Thanks to the theme - and a recent concussion - I finally see video games as a means of self expression. Am am using this jam to explore and express what my dreams mean to me. And it's not very pretty.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

This is my first jam but I know a thing or two about time management. Two phrases I like to keep in my head are, "Perfect is the enemy of the good", and "Perfect never ships". Make it good, not perfect.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hey my name is Rick and I've been a software dev for almost 10 years now. I recently started trying to make games with Unity because I've always wanted to since I was a little kid.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I didn't but I am now because I saw this theme for beginners and I thought I might have a chance to meet other people who also want to make games and maybe learn some stuff while getting feedback to help me improve.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I've been playing games as long as I can remember so I'm not sure which inspired me to want to make games haha. But my current favorites are the Binding of Isaac and 4X games like Civilization 6.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I've played around in Unity and I have a mobile, arcade style shooter I plan to release soon but it's only partly finished so I'm putting it on hold for 2 weeks to try and get a platformer out for this Jam!

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Truthfully? Computers, specifically programming. I love learning new programming languages, technique, and skills. I started programming when I was 12-13.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

I want to finish a game, meet people, and get feedback even if it's just something like: "Your game is bad" I'll take it to heart and try to make a better game next time!

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

I'm not a veteran game designer or Jammer haha but I am a veteran programmer. My advice is get some basic design documents and maybe even prototypes before starting on your final version. It will help keep everything matching your theme/goal/idea.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi! I'm Rastabon, a weird nerd who loves videogames and gets bored extremely easily.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I've never done this before and I've wanted to be an indie game dev for many years now. Plus, you know, I got really bored.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

Toby Fox and Scott Cawthon are my ultimate game design heros. They designed and created Undertale and Five Nights at Freddy's respectively. I'm amazed by their work, and I want to make something that effects the world like their work has some day.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I made a really, really bad RPGmaker game called Guilt that I put on steam greenlight. It bombed withing the first hour, and I didn't even put out a demo. I took it down after about the fifth or sixth negative comment in a row.

Recently, however, I started learning how to use Clickteam Fusion. I got it in a Humble Bundle a while ago and became intimidated by it a bit. Once I fought past the beginning, however, I found its quite simple to learn! I even made a little game demo and posted it on this website!

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I feel that many people need to explore the issues in their life at times and let themselves be taken away in a distraction other times. It's my fondest dream to make a game that truly helps people in their lives some day. I have a long way to go, but I think that with hard work I can do it.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

I want to gain experience and recognition! The earlier I start, the better chance I have of accomplishing my dreams!

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

Nope! I'm not a veteran! Sorry!

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Howdy! My name is Brenden and I have my company, not a real company though, Peaceful Illumination that I made with my friend Justin. I program the games while he makes the sprites.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

No, we were busy with other stuff. We always want to participate in a game jam for once and now should be that time.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I relay enjoy Paper Mario and Thousand Year Door and Super Mario Sun Shine. But This small game called Adventure Bar Story for the Nintendo 3DS inspired me to make a game similar to it.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I have a mild experience with game development but have never released a game nor have made a really good game. I use Game Maker Studio that I was taught with in high school.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I am very passionate about programming and learning new technics to make my games even better than they once were.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

To turn in a finished game. In school I never turn in a game on time.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hello! I'm Sir Floof, but you can just call me Floof.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I did participate in the last jam. I want to actually submit something this time.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

Asking me to choose my favorite games is like asking me to choose my favorite child.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?
In the last jam, I made a short, 1 level platformer called The Forest Treasure with Construct 2. I didn't submit it because I finished it after the jam had already ended. You can play it here, if you're interested.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I'd say video games, but then "passionate" would be an understatement.

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

Make something better than what I made last time, and submit it. I'm proud of The Forest Treasure, but I want to improve upon it.

7.  Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

I'm only technically a veteran, but I still have some advice.

If you're watching a tutorial on how to use an engine, try to get through it quickly so you have more time to actually make your game.  I spent way too long on a Construct 2 tutorial last time, and as a result, I wasn't able to finish my game on time.

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hi, my name is Eren and I am from Turkey. 

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

To meet people who like making games, doing some teamjob and learning things. 

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I like adventure games and RPG games. I love most of LucasArt adventures but what inspired me most was some Turkish freeware adventure games like Rapstar series. 

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

Well I am a newb, I like to work with Adventure Game Studio. I also tried Godot to make some adventure game but that didnt work.. . 

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Something! I just don't know yet. 

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

Getting a dream 

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

I'm Sam! I don't have the spare time for this, but here we are.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I remember thinking about it really hard last time it rolled around, but I saw it this time and decided: I have Twine downloaded, and I'm going to make a game! I can't code, I can't draw, I don't know any artists or coders who could help me with this/I would feel comfortable asking for help with this, but I can write.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I always thought I wasn't any good at video games that weren't, say, Pokemon. Then I played Dragon Age 2 and Mass Effect 1 at a roommate's urging, and  I realized: okay, so I'm just not good at shooty video games, who knew games could have stories like this!?? So I love the Dragon Age series, I love Journey,  Transistor,  and Child of Light, and  I'm struggling through Prey at the moment. There's a lot of shooting in it. It's hard.

For text-based games that I've loved and have inspired me: Fallen London (it will always be Echo Bazaar to me!!!), Sunless Sea, the OG Choice Of games (Broadsides/Romance/Vampire), and A(s)century  and A Good Wick . Also, the forests of CYOA books I read as a kid.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

Not at all! I gave Choicescript a shot, but I was very bad at it. I have one half-made Twine game lying around, and after I gave that up I started using Twine for my D&D/DungeonWorld notes, haha. 

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

This is a hard question!!! How about: I love to read. 

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

Finish the thing.  

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

Hey my name is Luke Costello. I'm finally have have the courage and tenacity to start making games like I have always wanted to.

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

This is my first game jam. I've heard about them but never knew how to get involved. I found itch while watching  a Mark Brown video of him reviewing games made on it for a game jam he had. 

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

Pretty much everything Shigiru Miyamoto and Johnathan Blow. I probably have spent more time playing video games than just about anything else. My favorite game of all time has to be Super Smash brothers (4 is my favorite). I like games that bend your spatial and temporal reasoning like Fez, Tri of friendship and madness, Puzzle Dimension, and Portal.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I have 2 games under development one on Game Maker the other on Java. I went to school for Computer Engineering for 2 years but most of the things I've learned have been self taught.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

Other than Smash bros? probably puzzles, both of the games I have in development are puzzle games that are about spacial reasoning. 

6. What are your goals for this game jam? 

To put myself out there,  to be able to go "see Im a game developer, look here is a game that I have developed"

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?
Dor Cohen

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?
I love share things that I made with others

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?
I like the dreams game

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?
yes with costruct 2

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!
cool games

6. What are your goals for this game jam?
people will love my games

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

I am not a veteran

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

hi! i'm lily.  nice to meet everyone!

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

i did not participate - this will be my first jam. i've always been interested in making games, especially rpgmaker and visual novels (kinetic and dating sims) but i always felt scared to do it. i figured if i joined a jam, maybe a deadline will finally get me started on my indie game career.  :3

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

hmm, i've been an avid fan of pokemon and ace attorney but i'm also starting like rpgmaker games. my favorites include mad father and corpse party!

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

i wouldn't say that i have but i like to tinker around with rpgmaker (2k3, xp, vx ace) and ren'py. all i've done is create maps and just stared at it hoping it'll finish on its own... and ren'py stories tend to get over complicated with me except, hopefully, this time.

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

i love writing so much! there's a reason why people like certain games (like ace attorney for example) and i really want to tell my stories through multiple formats! i'm also a big fan of game music - i would like to create my own music one day but one step at a time...

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

i really want to start something fresh and new - and actually finish something. as in, there's a beginning, middle and end.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

even though i'm a newbie, one thing that always tripped me up was the fact i over complicate things. please keep things simple! make life easier on yourself...

1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?

S'up, I'm Dan! I'm a newbie game developer, artist, and writer. 

2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?

I've never taken part in a game jam before. I really wanted to work on a focused project and this seemed like a good place to start! I'm also interested in meeting new people.

3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?

I'm a huge RPG nerd - I like creating my own hero and putting them on the path I want them to go on. The stories you can tell in games can be really compelling because of the agency the player has over the story and what can I say? I'm into that. Right now I'm blazing my way through Pillars of Eternity, which is fitting because Obsidian RPGs (and Interplay RPGS, back when Interplay were a thing) are a huge inspiration.

4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?

I have some limited experience with developing Flash games, back when everyone was making them. I had a small 2D platformer going. It was floaty as all hell and the combat system was garbage but I made it. More recently I've been working on small 3D projects in Unity, but my 3D modelling skills aren't quite up to scratch yet, so for this jam, I'm returning to my 2D roots. I'm still considering this my first proper 'game' though. 

5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!

I'm really, really into narrative structures and lizards. Maybe my finished game will be about a lizard?

6. What are your goals for this game jam?

For this game jam I'm mostly getting to know Unity again and building a small prototype for a bigger 2D game I want to make.

7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?

high pitched scream