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FAQ Sticky

A topic by phillip created Jan 04, 2023 Views: 1,787 Replies: 19
Viewing posts 1 to 10
Host (2 edits) (+2)

If you have any questions about the rules of the jam that are not answered below feel free to ask them in this thread and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

When can I start working on my game?

Your game, including all assets, should be made within the jam’s duration. Resources found on the resource page are the exception.

Does my game have to run on a real Nokia 3310?

Nope! We're just using the restrictions as a design space.

Can I make my own engine?

Yes! Many participants have done this. Feel free to make the framework before the jam begins. Just make sure it doesn’t put you ahead of other people using pre-made engines.

How do I make my game as accurate as possible to the Nokia 3310?

None of the following is necessary to submit a game and it won’t improve your score. This is for those who want to go the extra mile. Game fps should be 15. Ensure you are not using more "modern technology" like physics engines, 3d graphics, etc. The simpler the better. You could simulate the LCD's ghosting. The Nokia 3310’s screen also did not use perfectly square pixels. Each pixel was likely a 3:4 / 7:9 ratio. The ultimate challenge would be to get your game running on a real Nokia 3310!

Only 12 controls are allowed but the Nokia 3310 has 16 buttons.

The jam excludes the 4 menu buttons as they were usually used to navigate menu's and not play the actual game.

Can I mix and match the three color palettes?
No. You should be selecting one option and making your whole game with your selection. Palette swapping is allowed if it is an option/setting and not part of gameplay.

Can I put a Nokia 3310 frame around my game?

Yes. As long as the game screen is 84x48.

(+1)

Can i use unity?

Host

Yes. As per the rules: Any game engine is allowed as long as you can set your game's resolution to 84 x 48 or limit the number of pixels the player sees to 84 x 48. It must also be able to use the provided palette.

Many devs have used unity successfully in the past.

(+1)

Can I use the messaging function of the nokia?

Host

Could you be more specific? There have been plenty of games where the game is actually navigating around the phone and using the Nokia as it was "intended". If that is what you mean then yes, it is allowed.

Submitted(+1)

How close must the music sound to the original nokia? My preferred program for music making doesn't have the option of importing instruments.

Host(+1)

Just try to get as close as you can. A basic square or sine wave synth would be ideal.

Submitted(+1)

Hello. Two questions.

1. I see a lot of uncleaned spam in the community. I hope that this is not a sign that the contest has been abandoned?

2. Will the processing of simultaneous keystrokes, for example, arrows - for movement, arrows with Ctrl pressed - for action, be a disadvantage? Or was it not done this way on Nokia, is it better to reserve 4 buttons for movement and 4 other buttons for action?

Host(+1)

Hi! 

1. The contest is not abandoned. I am pretty busy and most of the posts are people actually looking for a team for the jam and the spam gets mixed in. I'll clean it up today.
2. You can map controls however would be most convenient, after all we are not running the game on the phone itself. If you want to go as close to the phone as possible the keys you choose would be in a big block to simulate the keypad and each button would be reserved for separate actions. As long as it fits within the control rules you would be fine.

(1 edit)

Are we able to use tutorials to code the game if we're using a new engine we don't know how to use?

Host

yep! We are beginner friendly! 

What an Optional Theme

Host

It is Fast & Slow! I forgot to update the page last night but it is updated now.

Deleted 1 year ago
(+1)

I believe it's "Fast & Slow"

Host

It is Fast & Slow! I forgot to update the page last night but it is updated now.

Deleted 1 year ago
Submitted

Hello, is there any problem  using resolution vertically? 48x84?

Host(+1)

Nope there is no problem.

Submitted(+1)

Obviously it's a little late to ask, but I only just noticed the whole Sounds section in the requirements.  For future reference, what are the exact restrictions with sound?  I'm not familiar with the limitations of Nokia sounds, and I'm a little confused about the one sound at a time rule, since hypothetically I could just write some code to make multiple sounds become one before playing.

Host (1 edit)

To be safe I recommend using the sound pack provided on the resource page. Otherwise, people usually use a simple square wave synthesizer. Here is a good reference for what it should sound like / be capable of. As long as you try your best to replicate that kind of sound there shouldn't be a problem.

The Nokia 3310 could only play one sound / note at a time. So it wasn't able to produce chords, layered sounds, or have designated channels for sound effects and music to play simultaneously. The most it could do that you might hear in the video is very fast alternating between notes. The rules are simply reflecting that capability. Was that helpful or do you have more specific questions? I would be more than happy to try and answer them if you do.

Submitted

Thank you.  Unfortunately I noticed this rule too late for our submission (oops), and I can’t bear to scrap all the work our musician did for this game