My suggestion for future jams is to amend the rules to only require that at least 50% (or whatever percentage) of the assets for a game come from the start carts. Any other assets used must be original creations by the entrant. Then, after the jam is over, curate a new set of assets picked from the assets actually used in the jam (previously provided and newly created assets) to create the start carts for the next year's jam. This provides an ever evolving set of assets, but takes the pressure off of you to create them. I like the communal aspect of this and I think Max Tojoby would appreciate the nod to impermanence.
Viewing post in What Assets Would You Love to See in TOY BOX JAM 3?
Interesting idea. Hmmm... I think I'd prefer donations before the jam than 50% creation after, because having to work with "what's there" is the super-unique part of the jam. There have been other jams where you have to "use these X sprites for sure", but then you HAVE to use those sprites instead of choosing what you want.
It might be interesting (to me) though if the spritesheet was ONLY donated sprites from say 32 folks, and they just provided a cart with eight sprites, and I put them together JUST before we all get to see what they are! That would still get the unique flavor of the jam, but no one knows fully what will be in the final cart, including me! And I like that only X sprites roll over to the next one (so it's not just an ever-increasing number).
Now, I was overdramatic above -- I did the original most of the original sprites, but my bud Toby did all of spritesheet two and others donated sprites as well. So I get to play with plenty of sprites I didn't make! :D My main task this jam was making the "unfinished game", heh.
Thanks for the input!
I see. Using "just the toys in the toybox" is the definition of this particular jam. So, yeah, having a toy drive before the jam probably makes more sense. Well, if you keep the easy mode for next year, maybe you can do it both ways.
Anyway, thanks for hosting the jam. It actually got me to make a game after a very many year hiatus. I had a whole lot of fun. I got the idea for my game shortly before downloading the start carts and was on pins and needles hoping I could actually make it fit with the assets. Probably the wrong way to go about things. (What's new!) The idea for using the railroad tracks came straight from the toys in the toybox, though, and it made for a way better game than I first envisioned.