Make a game in a weekend!

Join a team or work solo. Meet game developers. Learn stuff. Make games. Have fun!

Where

Aras na Mac Léinn - NUIG, Galway, Ireland - View Map

Tickets
€5 pre-book online via Eventbrite or €6 cash at the door. Book now: https://j.mp/GalwayGameJam5

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GalwayGameJam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalwayGameJam
Website: http://galwaygamejam.com
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/galwaygamejam

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to bring?
Bring your own laptop or any game making equipment you think you'll need (e.g. graphics tablet, controllers etc.)

Do I need to be an expert gamedev to participate?
No, not at all! The gamejam is for everyone from to complete beginners to professional game devs. We will try to team up beginners with some more experienced game jammers so you can be sure to learn and have fun and have something made by the end of the event.

Do you provide accommodation?
We won't be able to let you sleep at the venue (it is in NUIG afterall). There are some hostels in the city center like Snoozles and Barnacles (links later). Be sure to bring a sleeping bag if you plan on staying over in a friends place or whatever.

Is it for computer games or board games?
Everything! You can use the Galway Game Jam to make any type of game.

Can I work on a project that I've already started?
Ideally the game jam is for making something new but by all means you can work on your own project. This would obviously disqualify you for any prizes.

Can I use a game engine/library/framework/asset packs/royalty-free music etc?
Yes.

Can I participate with a pre-arranged team?
Yes. As long as your team is a maximum of 5 people.

What prizes are there?
Right now some small ones. We're working on that, but with our current lack of sponsors our prizes will likely be small. We're working on improving this, the more game jams you participate in the better the prizes wll be!

Can you eat/drink at the venue?
Yes but we'd like you to observe some rules. Please use the bins for any rubbish you have. Please don't eat or drink anything that smells strongly in the main game jam area. Please tidy up after yourself.

What kind of skills would be helpful at the gamejam?
Pretty much all of them! The aim is to make stuff and have fun. We encourage everyone to aim to make a small game. The smaller and simpler, the easier it will be to finish with a playable game. A good or example would be a simple browser game that a single person can play and complete in a few minutes. Or you could make the most basic version of a grander game idea. This is called an MVP, or Minimum Viable Product in business-speak. A simple prototype that demonstrates the core gameplay.

These skills can be handy, if you can tick one off you'll be fine. Don't worry if you don't see something here, if you are having trouble figuring out what to do simply ask you teammates, they'll give you something to work on for sure!

• Game Design - coming up with game mechanics in systems
• Writing - weaving a story, giving depth to the game through lore.
• Programming - trying out making a game using programming language you already know, or taking some tutorials in a game engine and bring all the pieces together.
• Art - create beautiful (or horrifying) art assets, and maybe some animation
• Audio/Music - making some noise, and some music. A great way to boost percieved production quality of a game!
• Production - organisation and time management skills. If this is a strength of yours you could take the lead in making deadlines for your team to achieve at different points over the event.
• And more!

Of course you can always use the gamejam to try something new, and I totally encourage it!

Do members of Compsoc NUIGalway have to pay the €5 entrance fee?
No, but we have to verify your membership first. Compsoc members are required to bring their Student ID with them. Once we verify your membership you can enter for free. Have fun!

Note to Online Participants:
Check out https://itch.io/jam/galwaygamejam5 forums for discussion and keep track of our twitter account for announcements.
Anyone can participate remotely for free AND take part in the competition among all entrants. Same competition guidelines apply.

Questions? Issues during the gamejam? Please email us at info@galwaygamejam.com or ask here on the forums for your fellow jammers to help out.

Galway Game Jam 5 is made possible thanks to @darrencearnaigh, Compsoc NUIGalway, Psychic Software and @sparklyparticle