Welcome to Backtrace’s FIRST Inclusivity Game Jam!

Backtrace is all about creating better game experiences. For this Game Jam, our goal is to celebrate inclusivity and encourage teams to create inspiring game projects in just 48 hours. The winner of the Game Jam will receive a PlayStation 5 Console!

Summary

Our goal of celebrating Inclusivity

Games are a rich, expansive medium that allows players to explore the possibilities of other realms and realities. Diversity in these stories, mechanics, and environments allows players to become enriched and inspired by these games and the stories within them. Inclusive game design empowers players who are often underrepresented and shows that the presence and perspectives of different groups of people are valued. We have chosen inclusivity as the main goal for this game jam to encourage us all to reflect upon the diversity of our global community and how we can take an active role in making our world more welcoming for all.

At Backtrace, one of our core principles is to celebrate and encourage inclusivity. We strive to build a diverse and thriving community of game developers that we want to challenge, showcase and grow in this Game Jam. Backtrace helps developers by identifying and reporting their bugs through error data. We hope to use this jam as an opportunity to engage and grow our game developer community, and to show that Backtrace is a very valuable, easy to use tool for all game developers!

Theme

Theme 1: Inclusivity 
Theme 2: Find-It Fix-It

Dates

The Game Jam will be kicked off at 3pm EST on June 25th on the IGDA Twitch channel with a keynote and an introductory talk where we will announce the theme. The Jam will last for 48 hours starting at 4 pm EST on June 25th and end at 4pm EST on June 27th. The Closing Ceremony and announcement of the winner will also be hosted on the IGDA Twitch channel on 3pm EST July 9, 2021.

Prize + Judging

At the end of the jam, participants who have integrated Backtrace into their jam entry will have the chance to win a PlayStation 5 Console! The winner will be determined by our expert panel of judges.

Grand Prize Winner: PlayStation 5 Console*

Top Three Runner Ups: One year of IGDA Membership 

*or debit gift card of equivalent amount if located outside of the US

Judging Criteria

• Use of contest themes (30 points)
• Compelling mechanics (30 points) 
• Visual style (30 points)
• Audio quality (10 points)

Rules

To qualify for this Game Jam, your game and team must follow these rules: 

Teams

• Work alone or with a team of up to 5 members
• All team members must be 18 years old or older

Game submissions

• In order to be eligible to win the PS5, you must have Backtrace’s error reporting integrated into your project for bug and error reporting purposes. (Please see the How to integrate your game into Backtrace & Integration Proof Requirements sections below for more detail)
  Note: Backtrace supports these platforms: Unity, Unreal, Windows, Mac, Web,  iOS, Android, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch and Stadia
• Qualified games must be played on a PC and/or playable through a web browser
• The game project must be started and fully completed within the Game Jam’s designated period, from 4pm EST June 25th - 4pm EST June 27th, 2021
• NOTE: Your game must be submitted by 4pm EST June 27th to be eligible to participate in the contest and win the PS5
• Submissions must include:
  • Game Name
  • Each team member’s name and email address
  • Game file - You need to upload your game to your Itch.io account page before you can submit it to the Game Jam page
  • A link to 30 - 120 seconds of gameplay footage
  • Game file - You must upload your game to Itch.io and provide a link to it so the judges can play it. Please upload either a build that can be played on a PC or through a web browser
  • Submissions must NOT contain sexually explicit, racist, sexist, or otherwise disturbing content 

How to Integrate your Game Into Backtrace

We recommend that you integrate your game/project with Backtrace as the first step on June 25th. It’s easy and if you have any questions, the Backtrace support team will be available to help and answer any questions you may have. Just reach out on the Backtrace Discord Server.

To Integrate with Backtrace:

1. Sign up for our free developer tier. https://backtrace.io/create/
2. Follow instructions  on how to integrate with Backtrace
3. Quick How to Integrate Videos
   • Unity Integration 
   • Unreal Integration 

Backtrace Integration Proof Requirements

All qualified Game Jam submissions must provide the following proof of Backtrace Integration:

1. A link to your backtrace project instance
2. There must be at least one error report in the provided instance from during the game jam

Code of conduct

• Treat each other with respect 
• Be mindful of your speech and behavior towards others, especially when disagreeing 
• Harassment or abuse of any form will not be tolerated 
• Use appropriate profile images and names
• Do not send unsolicited private messages to anyone 
• Do not share sexually explicit, racist, sexist, or otherwise disturbing content 
• Do not disclose personal information about anyone other than yourself 
• Do not advertise services, software, or other prods

Themes

The main theme for the Game Jame will be announced during the opening ceremony on June  25th at 3 PM PDT. 

Judging/Prizes

The winner will receive one Playstation 5 Console and be determined by our expert panel of judges according to these categories:

• Use of contest themes
• Compelling mechanics
• Visual style
• Audio quality
• Most importantly: Integrate Backtrace into your game, your game will be disqualified if it doesn't have it. (Please see the Backtrace integration and Integration Proof Requirements sections above for more detail.)

The winner will be announced during the closing ceremony on July 9, 2021.

Communities

Game development can be a challenging process. We encourage you to reach out to the Backtrace and IGDA Discord communities for additional support and help. 

Please note that you must be 13 or older to join the Discord.

• Here's what to expect on the Backtrace Discord Server:
  • Game Jam Rules + FAQ:  Rules grading methods, prizes, important links, and any FAQ as a pinned message
  • Announcements:  For announcements leading up to and throughout the game jam
  • General Discussion: Game jam discussions + introduce yourself
  • Show Off:  Share your work + progress
  • Ask the Community:  Ask any technical questions you might have
  • Build a Team:  Meet new people and possibly make a team
  • Tag yourself to identify with your functions. (Game Designer, Developer, 2D Artist, 3D Artist, Audio, etc…)
  • Find fellow participants to expand your team and get assistance with any of your Backtrace questions 

• IGDA's Discord Server - Over 3,300 game developers who can help answers your questions about game development.

Backtrace

Backtrace is a debugging platform that improves game quality, reliability, and support by bringing deep introspection and automation throughout the game error lifecycle. Spend less time debugging and reduce your mean time to resolution by using the first and only platform to combine symbolic debugging, error aggregation, and state analysis. https://backtrace.io/