The 2021 Fall Game Jam, Oct 18-22, 2021, is open to Fitchburg State University Game Design students and alumni.

Eligibility:

• Fitchburg State University Game Design students, including
  • Game Design majors and minors
  • Computer Science majors in the Game Programming concentration
  • other students enrolled in a GAME class this semester
• FSU Game Design alumni

Timeline:

• The FSU Fall Jam runs from Monday, Oct 18 - Friday, Oct 22, 2021
• Kickoff Event will be Monday, Oct 18, 9:30 AM - in Conlon 331 and via Google Meet
  • Game Faculty will reveal the theme and answer any questions
  • We encourage attendance if it doesn't conflict with a non-Game classes
  • Kickoff will be recorded and shared with participants (here on itch.io & Discord)
• Games should be submitted before 12:30 PM on Friday, Oct 22
• Game Showcase from 12:30-2:30 on Friday, Oct 22 in Conlon 329/331 and via Google Meet
  • Teams will have a few minutes (depending on number of submission) to introduce & present their projects

2021 Theme: ADAPTATION

• Adapting to change
  • Creatures & plants adapt to changing environments
  • Environments adapt to changing conditions
  • People adapt to changing technology & social trends
  • Society adapts to changing needs
  • Games and the game industry adapt (hello, Blizzard?)
• What kind of game will you make?
  • Player adapts to changing environment?
  • Environment adapts to changing player?
  • Adaptation as core mechanic?
  • Adaptation as goal?
  • Gameplay in an ever-adapting world?

Theme & Games:

• Games should incorporate or interpret this theme in any way the team sees fit.
• Games can be created with ANY tools, digital or analog
• Unity, Unreal, Scratch, Twine, board game, tabletop RPG, if it's a game, you can make it!

Participation:

• All students taking a GAME class are expected to participate in the Fall Game Jam
  • Minimum 10 hours per class you're taking
  • Participation in the Fall Game Jam may contribute to your course grade -- check your syllabus!
• Most GAME classes will be suspended for the week - check with your instructor to confirm.
• Please do NOT skip your non-Game classes to participate in the Jam. Your LAS courses are essential to your education!

COVID-19 Considerations

• We encourage you to participate in a hybrid manner due to COVID-19. 
• Game Design labs will be available for current students during lab hours
• Faculty will generally be around during their class periods
• Masks must be worn at all times in all campus buildings
• If you are experiencing a fever or any other COVID-19 symptoms, stay home!

Discord:

• We have created a new FSU Game Design Discord page. If you didn't receive an invite, contact Jeff Warmouth
• The FSU Game Design Discord - GAME JAMS category may be used during the jam to organize teams & communicate with one another.
• Participants who engage in offensive or toxic behavior will be removed from the server

 Teams:

• Teams can be any size (including solo), though we recommend teams of 2-4 people with different levels of experience
• You can form teams on the Discord Server, on your own, or at the Jam kickoff
• Bonus Team Diversifiers (High Fives):
  • Your team has members from at least three different years (Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Alumni)
  • work with people you've never met
  • work with a game genre you've never created before
  • take on an unfamiliar role (i.e. programmer as animator, artist as writer, etc.)