Hi everyone!
Our game jam is in full action, but some of you just joined - welcome aboard! Don’t forget to take a look at the tips we shared in the beginning: Tips for a great game jam!
If you still feel stuck with ideas about your game, maybe check this list out. Here’s a manually selected list of media where you can get some inspiration. Not that we encourage you to make an adaptation or a fan edition of those pieces - but sometimes a deep dive can adjust your creative vibes and get you going.
Games:
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Although the game is not particularly about summer, it is set in various exotic locations, including lush jungles and ancient ruins. So, maybe a quick run - or just a couple of playthroughs can put you in the mood for adventure and treasure-hunting game creation.
- Firewatch
The game is set in the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming during the summer of 1989. Players take on the role of Henry, a fire lookout stationed in a remote forest watchtower. Henry's job is to watch for smoke and ensure the safety of the forest. The game has unique visuals and a deep plot. Again, summer's not always equal to beach life: it can be a time of self-discovery in the woods.
- Far Cry 3
Old but gold! The game is set on a fictional archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are a tropical paradise with lush jungles, mountains, and beaches. Players assume the role of Jason Brody, a young man who is stranded on the islands with his friends after a skydiving trip goes wrong. Jason's friends are captured by pirates, so he must rescue them and escape the island while dealing with the local resistance fighters and uncovering the dark secrets.
There’s also a Reddit thread where people talk about the topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/patientgamers/comments/vi0c7n/there_is_a_distinct_lack_of_summer_style_games/
Films & Animation
- Gravity Falls
Quirky, fun, and clever animation series about twins uncovering strange and mysterious secrets of the town of Gravity Falls with their friends, relatives, and neighbors. No matter how old you are, these series will make you reminisce of your almost-teen days, and remind you of all the ghost stories you used to know at the time. Why not use them for the game?
- The Beach
A drama thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a young traveler who discovers a secluded paradise in Thailand, only to find that paradise comes with unexpected dangers and dark secrets, challenging his notions of utopia and isolation. Starting as some kind of adventure, this film turns you inside out in the end and leaves you thinking about human nature. That’s definitely an idea for a game.
- Lost
Gold standard of TV series, it follows the survivors of a plane crash stranded on a mysterious tropical island. As they struggle to survive and find a way home, they uncover supernatural phenomena, complex relationships, and deep personal mysteries, leading to a gripping narrative that blends suspense, drama, and mystery across its six seasons. Get inspired to make a beach survival drama.
You can always talk to the community in our Discord and use the hive mind of fellow indie creators: https://discord.gg/D4hx65yeaG
Have a good one!