Welcome to the next generation of the Game Gen Game Jams!
We'll be running things a little bit differently this time.

Read up below on how the jam works, as well as
some tips to keep in mind when jamming out your game!

💡
Click here to check out our templates.

⏰
The theme is announced at 1:00 PM PT.

📅
Submissions are due after 72 hours, at 1:00 PM PT.

🎁
Everyone can submit an award of their choice,
to a game of their choice.

    

🏆
The awards ceremony happens
after the weekly portfolio showcase.

👩‍💻👨‍💻Work solo, or in teams of two.

• If you work solo, share your game ideas and prototypes around! Gather feedback and advice from fellow students and teachers!
• Teamwork makes the dream work! Remember to support your jam partner and get your game done on time, together!

✨ Try to make the game within the jam period.

• Jams are a great game development exercise to scope small and get stuff done. Additionally, it feels good to start and finish projects!
• You're free to start with some boilerplate (starter) code! Some boilerplate code examples are basic menus and player movement code.
• We also have very barebones templates you can start with! More information about templates can be found below. Click here to check out our templates.

🎮 Make sure your game is playable in the browser.

• Use any engine you're comfortable with, so long as we can easily play your game! Construct 3 and Unity can easily export your game to HTML5/WebGL.
• Game Gen Teachers are available to help if you're using Construct 3, Unity, or Unreal. We can only help you with engines we're familiar with.
• Remember, an engine only helps you get started. You'll still need to make the game!

⏰ The theme is announced at 1:00 PM PT.

• Themes are general by design, to give you a base to work with. Think about what would be fun in such a setting or situation!
  
• This time, the twists are optional game design challenges you can try to tackle. They'll initially be just as challenging as those from previous jams.

📅 Submissions are due after 72 hours, at 1:00 PM PT.

• You may now upload fixes to your game after submissions close! As usual, you can update your game page's theme and content after the submission period ends.
• Late entries will be accepted until 24 hours after submissions close. The late submission game page must be published no later than 12:59 PM PT the following day.
• Be careful, as awards submissions starts right away! Try to have your game and page done before the deadline, otherwise players may not revisit your page and vote again if your fixes are too late.
• Additionally, feel free to suggest themes and twists for future jams! Remember to pick themes that everyone (including you) can enjoy.

🎁 Everyone can submit awards of their choice, to the games of their choice.

• Give an award to a game you liked! You can submit your award in the form of a meme or custom image, or just text.
• Feel free to give as many awards to as many games as you want! The only limit is your imagination, and the awards submission deadline.
• They can range from "Best Character Design" to "Best Use of a Fart Sound". Be creative and have fun!
• The form to submit awards (as well as the time frame to do so) will be shared in our Game Gen Discord servers, in the #jams channel.

🏆 The awards ceremony happens after the weekly portfolio showcase.

• Celebrate the games you've created! You'll hear all the awards your game was given by your fellow students.
• After the ceremony, all the awards will be posted to our Game Gen Discord servers, in the #jams channel.

💡 Stuck? Start with a template!

• We have very barebones starter templates available for you! These are generic templates to give you a starting point for your jam game. Each comes with a title screen, a game layout, and win/lose screens. Click here to check out our templates.
  
• Additionally, more fully-featured templates are available in the Construct 3 editor! Some coding may be required. Click here to open the Construct 3 editor.

💡 Make your games accessible to players with a keyboard and mouse/trackpad.

• Not many players have a fancy gaming mouse or even a full-size keyboard! Avoid using the numpad, or any mouse/trackpad buttons other than left click or right click.

💡 Only use material you have the rights to.

• You can find royalty-free art and sounds online. Make sure to provide the proper attribution, depending on the license.
• If you need high-quality art assets, check out Kenney's assets.
• A popular resource for royalty-free music is Incompetech, music by Kevin McLeod. (Be sure to follow the attribution directions!)

💡 Submit your game page early to secure your spot in the jam!

• We accept late entries until up to one day after submissions close. However, it's great to practice time management and submit early or on time!

💡 Try to polish up your game's build and page before submissions close!

• As mentioned before, you can update your game page's theme and content after the submission period ends. Make a great first impression! Again, honing your time management skills is beneficial.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask a Game Gen Teacher!


Happy jamming!