The Balkan Game Jam, Women edition is an initiative we are starting in order to create a network and enlarge the number of female game developers in the Balkans, as well as the countries surrounding the region.

We will talk, share our work, participate in and create events together, and hopefully work together and meet in person.

Since we would like to see people coming from all counties and backgrounds, we encourage you to invite girls and women that you know in this industry to join the Discord server.

What is a Game Jam?

The Balkan Game Jam encourages innovation and experimentation. It plays not only a big role in creating new products but also for the exposure of the game industry to talents of other industries. It is an event that has been designed and created for all interested parties to participate and enjoy.

The Game Jam is an unique opportunity for people to push their skills and challenge their way of working- be open and flexible and remember that the jam is all about experimenting and having fun!

It is a fun competition or hackathon where teams work together around the clock to create a game prototype. In this occasion, the Jam is 24-h long!

What do I need to participate? Do I need experience?

 This event is especially designed to welcome newbies! Don´t feel pressured. We will have mentors to guide you help you find out how your skills are valuable to a game development team!

You can develop using any tools for any platform that you want. If you don’t know where to start, check here for a list of Jammer Resources. The list contains some community-made lists of other resources, and is definitely worth checking out! 

Although having computer skills is helpful, code experience is not necessary. Designers, developers, artists, musicians, knitters, gardeners, architects and anyone is welcome to try their hand at making a game during the BGJ. You can learn many new skills and support your team by contributing ideas, play testing, and giving moral support. 

Do I need a team?

You can gather a bunch of friends, even your parents or aunts and uncles. However, you can also join on your own and we will help you find a team.

We recommend that you do not come to the Jam with a team. Everyone will have some time to think and pitch an idea.

Collaborate with new friends or peers you admire.There´s room for everyone!

Where can I jam?

• You can jam online wherever you are! You are welcome to join us already on Discord. 
• If you are in Plovdiv (Bulgaria), you should definitely register and come to the Technical University of Sofia - Branch Plovdiv , where we will jam together in person!

Event schedule

Balkan Game Jam, women edition is a 24-hour hackathon especially for women, and anyone is welcome to participate!

Friday 4th of November

• 5:30PM  Skopje/Zagreb - 6:30 Sofia/Istambul
We will release  the jam's theme that everyone can use for their game prototype. Then we will form the groups/teams from all the participants. Groups must have 2 to 6 participants. All the groups will be registered in Discord and get their own channel/room there. We will present you to the mentors and get to know each other.

• 7:00PM Skopje/Zagreb - 8:00PM Sofia/Istambul
Teams can start working on the prototype from Friday evening.

Saturday 5th of November - may vary slightly:

• 6PM Skopje/Zagreb - 7PM Bucharest/Sofia/Istambul 
Deadline to upload your prototype or demo to itch.io

7PM Skopje/Zagreb - 8PM Bucharest/Sofia/Istambul 
Presentations of games by the teams on Discord voice channel

Who can take part?

Women

No matter if you are experienced in game development, if you are a student, if you just want to change career or just have fun – you are welcome to join us. Experience the whole process of game development in 24 hours and meet other women and allies who want to learn, create and have fun.

Everybody Else

We would like to be as inclusive as possible, even though we are targeting primarily women. Diversity makes us stronger. So, if you would like to jam with us, you are quite welcome! We will be extra happy if you bring one female friend to the event to jam with you. 🙂

What are the rules?

• Be nice! Be helpfull! Have fun!
• Bring your own equipment (computer, software, etc.) if you join the jam on a location.
• Teams cannot have more than 6 people in them
• People can collaborate with all the participants on the Discord server
• Help the volunteers – clean after yourselves if you come to a location.
• Team mentors are optional, but we recommend each team to get one
• All locations all over the Balkans share the same theme for the jam. The theme can be only one word or a more abstract concept. You can find some examples of previous themes for the Global Game Jam here: https://globalgamejam.org/history
• All teams should be registered on the Discord server by 9AM Sofia/Bucharest - 8AM Skopje/Zagreb on the 5th of November
• The games should be uploaded on itch.io, no later than 7PM Sofia/Bucharest - 6PM Skopje/Zagreb on the 5th of November

What happens while I wait for the Jam?

On our Discord server, you can join other Balkan women and allies who are interested in game development, get the latest updates from the organizers and make friends even before the jam.

Follow our Facebook Page to learn about resources, tips, meet the mentors and the volunteers, and much more!

Disclaimer:

*Transit and stay costs to the event in Plovdiv aren´t the organization´s responsibility.  Every registered participant will get lunch, dinner, coffee and water included in their admission on the 5th of November. If you need anything more then these, you will have to bring it yourself, but we would like to ask you to keep it clean! There are no kitchen or fridge at the venue.

*At the locations, internet will be delivered by our sponsors. There will be tables, chairs and cables at the venue. You need to bring your own equipment (computer, software, etc.).

*The organization doesn´t claim any rights over the games and ideas produced during the event. The team/makers of the game hold all IP rights. However, the Balkan Game Jam may use the games for demonstration as it sees fit. All games must be posted in the condition they are in as of the close of the BGJ event, including both executable and source code (or equivalent). All participants and all games entered for BGJ must agree to a Creative Commons, share, alter, no sell License: v4 Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0. Third party tools and software may be used in the projects and must not be uploaded or shared. Clear instructions must be provided as to how to obtain and install any third party software that is necessary for further development.

*The Balkan Game Jam is fun and collaborative, with a goal to keep things very simple. We provide structure, guidance and help for all locations participating in the BGJ. As a rule, we expect that no team/makers of a game will illegally exploit others’ IP, and that in turn, everything created becomes part of the public domain. All participants agree that their participation in the Balkan Game Jam will hold no one liable for any loss or damage.