Welcome to the second annual Linux Game Jam! The purpose of the game jam is simple: create fun, interesting games for Linux.

Last year we didn't have a motif or a theme, but many people thought that we should. So this time around, I'm pleased to announce that we have a theme!

Theme: Versatile Verbs

What does that mean? I was first exposed to the term by Mark Brown from Game Maker's Tool Kit. Check out his video on versatile verbs here.

For those unwilling to watch a 12 minute video, versatile verbs are well explained by Mario's jump. Tapping the A button gives Mario a short hop, holding it causes him to jump much higher. Having a running start gives him a ton of forward momentum, while pressing jump from a crouch causes him to do a backflip--unless you're running, in which case you do a long jump. This is one of MANY ways that a verb [jumping] can be versatile [have many uses].

Not every mechanic in your game has to be versatile, but you should definitely have at least one and have it be central to your gameplay.

Now for the rules:

• Be as creative as you can be. Think outside the box. You can:
  • Redefine the word 'versatile.'
• You can use any engine. Your own custom built one (developed outside the jam) is allowed.
• Your game’s programming should be done within the time frame of this jam.
• Your game must be submitted to the official Itch.io game jam page before the end of the day April 14th (EST).
• Your game must have a Linux build.
• Your game's Itch page should have:
  • A brief summary of your mechanics.
  • Clear instructions on installation, dependency requirements, and how to run the game.
    • The judges are going to be trying (perhaps as many as) 50 games and we don’t have time to troubleshoot them all.
• Your game must use assets that you created or that are freely licensed
  • That includes music, sound effects, fonts, all of it.
  • While you *can* use freely licensed sprites, I’d encourage using original sprites. If you’re really not that creative, you can always find an artist in the community tab to work with.
• And yes, you’re allowed to work in teams. Head over to the community section of the itch page and look for people who want to team up.
• Finally, you get exactly one bonus point if your game is open source and developed with open source tools.

The Judges:

The Linux Gamer - Organizer

Cassidy James Blaede (From ElementaryOS)

Bryan Lunduke

Wendell from Level1 Techs

Cheeseness (game dev, Linux porter and writer)

Check out Cheeseness' guide to surviving a game jam.