This jam is now over. It ran from 2023-01-14 14:30:00 to 2023-02-12 14:29:59. View 5 entries

Welcome to the first NT Game Jam of 2023!

We challenge NT Geeks to make a game based on the theme below, in just one month!

There are prizes to win but best of all, your games will be played by the amazing NT streaming power couple, ActualAzza and PurpleCookiex, AND winners will be displayed at local conventions Geek Fest and TROPiCON!

Don't worry if this is your first jam, or if you are only starting out on your game developer's journey - give it a go and see what happens! No one is expecting a polished product, and it's all about stretching yourself! The best bit is, at the end of the competition you will have learnt a lot, made some friends and have finished a game! The NT Game Designer's Discord server is the place to head if you have questions about the jam, want to team up with other developers or want to showcase your progress!

To be eligible for the prizes, you must complete the submission boxes with your details so we can get in touch (they will appear during the submission process) and be based in Australia.

This event is proudly sponsored by Larrikin Interactive.

Wait!

This is a sensitive and topical theme. Please be aware that there are very real implications behind the use of AI that are being brought to light on a daily basis. This game jam is not trying to suggest one way is better than another, but instead hold a forum for people who hold different perspectives to share their experiences through their games, aka the world's best medium for interactive strytelling and experiences.

Games jams are about learning, so whether you are brand new to AI, or already up to date on every article and video released, we recommend approaching this challenge with an open mind and an appetite to learn more about views which differ from yours.

To that end, we have some information we have found particularly insightful on this topic, and recommend having a read before beginning this game jam.

If you have managed to find informative, nuanced knowledge out there on the interwebs, then let us know! We are at the edge of understanding this new technology, and information is emerging and changing daily!

What a time to be alive :)

Theme:

(A)I, Gamer.

This Game Jam's theme looks to explore what the recent advancements in accessible AI assisted creation mean to video game designers, artists, developers and players in the present and future.

Whether you love AI, or are concerned about its sudden and unregulated introduction into the masses - this game jam is a chance to express those thoughts and share those experiences.

Perhaps your game is made wholly with AI programming, AI Art, AI story and Game Design idea generation?

Or perhaps your game is made wholly with humans, and explore the ramifications of such a new technology being harnessed by people connected to the net.

Perhaps your game just has a complex AI system in place!

It is up to you to interpret the theme how you like!

Rules

There are only two rules. The first is that your game must not include any NSFW and offensive/discriminatory content. We want all the games to be playable by everyone! The second is that to be in the running for the prizes, you must be currently based in the Northern Territory and have entered your contact details upon submission. But if you still want to join and don't care about the prizes, that's totally fine! We welcome you!

Apart from those 2 rules, you are allowed to use any game engine or framework, you can also use assets not made by you, but make sure you have the proper license to use them and crediting is of course strongly encouraged! Making everything from scratch is not mandatory, but if you do you get to be extra proud of yourself at the end!

Teaming up is allowed, and encouraged! Our recommendation is that you stick with 4 people maximum, otherwise you'll have a hard time coordinating.

Criteria

Once submissions close, your games will be played by local streamer celebrities ActualAzza and PurpleCookiex and winners announced! Stay tuned to the Discord and the forums here for exact time of the stream.

Generally speaking, the judges will be looking at the following:

Innovation - Have you done something new or different? A classic mechanic in a different way or perhaps a new art style...
Game Play - How does a game feel to play? Hard to quantify and yet, immediately noticeable...
Best Design (Art and/or Sound) - What is the style of the art and sound. Does it bring the game to life?
Is there a clear love for your theme??

If you are using AI in your game, we want to know how! There is a section upon submission for you to fill out exactly how AI supported you to make your game. We also encourage you to explain your process on your game's page so that other members of the community can learn.

If you are not using AI, and instead making a game about AI, then that is great too! Your game is your voice, but we also welcome you to fill out why you chose to avoid using AI directly, and feel free to share this on your game page too for others to read and learn.

Prizes

Thanks to our awesome sponsor for this game jam, Larrikin Interactive, there is a prize pool of $500 in total value ($100 per prize):

Prizes will be awarded for:

Best Overall Game
Most Innovative Game
Best Design (Art and/or Sound)
Best use of the Theme
Rising Star Award (Under 18 years old)

The categories are broad, on purpose! It means no matter what you make, from a narrative game in Twine, to a top-down shooter in Unity - there is room to shine.