To celebrate Pirate Jam 2020, we're hosting a  Pre-Jam Skirmish for landlubbers! An online game jam where 1x Grand Prize winner will score bounty like no other; passage to Pirate Jam 2020,  the world's only high-seas game jam! 

Hosted and judged by game developer, American McGee (American McGee's Alice Series, EA Games, and id Software - Doom, Doom II & Quake) this jam aims to showcase and promote international game talent. 

There's also heaps of Pirate Jam loot up for grabs for runner-up prize winners!

 Win a trip to Thailand, jump aboard the pirate fleet and sail around the Andaman Sea designing games. 
You're all aboard for the swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime. Argh matey!

Rules and restrictions apply. For more information on Pirate Jam, please visit pirate-jam.com 

	For ten glorious fun-filled days you’ll kick back, relax, explore, adventure and experience the gorgeous islands & waters of Thailand. Get amongst the wilderness and wonder with the crew!

	JAM with the Pirate Jam shipmates! Make new friends and share your love of games with scurvy rapscallions from all around the world. Avast ye!

	Knowledge is one of the real treasures aboard Pirate Jam. Set sail with Unity Game Engine professionals. Ask questions, seek support and build your game skills using unique one-on-one time with true Unity legends !

Here’s a sample of testimonials from some pirates of the past:

Making games in a world lost in time and bursting with exotic life was an experience beyond my wildest imagination. It was life-changing and humbling to watch the other game developers under pressure produce magical, innovate games using tricks that I’ve never seen before.  

Dr. Clement Shimizu
Research Scientist & Engineer / Computer Graphics & Computer Science Specialist 

For a game jam that takes place on boats in Thailand Pirate Jam is brilliantly organized.
In fact for any jam, Pirate Jam runs impressively smoothly.

Evan Greenwood
Free Lives, Founder

Pirate Jam is a one-of-a-kind experience that manages to blend sailing and adventuring with intense game development, making it the most enjoyable game jam I’ve ever taken part in. Having been to the event every year since it started and seeing how it has developed, I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Ed Kay
DinoBoss, Founder

Ahoy, Mateys! And welcome aboard the first annual Pirate Jam Pre-Jam Skirmish! 

Pirate Jam is an annual game jam aboard sailboats in Thailand hosted by American McGee. Pirate Jam 2020 is the forth annual event and we're celebrating by hosting a Pre-Jam Online Skirmish at itch.io in which developers from around the world can participate. 

Schedule:

This is a 48-hour game jam skirmish! 

The skirmish rages from January 10th, 2020 at 8PM Hong Kong Time until January 12, 2020 at 8PM HKT.

General Guidelines and Rules:

• Participants (solo developer or a team of up to 3 developers) from anywhere in the world.
• Submit a game that runs on Windows or Mac OS X or in a browser. 
• Use any engine (or anything) you like to make your game.
•  Design and code must be original creations made exclusively for this jam. No prior work except basic support code, etc.
• Built with any assets you have legal right to use. Must NOT contain adult or harmful content (keep it PC and PG).
• To be judged by initially by The Public then narrowed down to finalists and Grand Prize winner by host American McGee.
• Final selection process and favorites will be highlighted on American McGee's YouTube Channel.
• Submission and project details will be announced at  https://itch.io/  (Pirate Jam Submissions Link TBD)

Grand Prize Rules and Conditions

• Winner will receive a non-transferable round-trip economy class ticket to and from Pirate Jam 2020 in Thailand plus...
• A free ticket to Pirate Jam 2020 (includes a berth aboard one of the boats, meals aboard, and most meals ashore) plus...
• Additional event-related costs in Thailand (shuttle van to-from airport, etc) up to $200USD.
• Must have a valid passport and visas (or ability to secure such) prior to the travel dates.
• Must be able to attend Pirate Jam 2020 between March 2nd and March 12th, 2020 (plus travel time to-and-from).
• Must agree to the terms contained in the Pirate Jam Participants Contract (standard agreement signed by all participants)
• Inability to qualify for Grand Prize will result in automatic transfer to next eligible participant.
• Ineligible Grand Prize winner(s) will receive a Runner Up Prize as substitution.

Runner Up Prizes

• Runner Up Prizes include Pirate Jam waterproof bags, Pirate Jam notepads, and Pirate Jam Official Doubloons.
• All 50 Runner Up Participants will receive an Official Doubloon.
• Top 25 Runner Up Participants will also receive Notepads.
• Top 10 Runner Up Participants will also receive Waterproof Bags.
• Prizes will be mailed for free (with tracking) to any location in the world.
• Prize winners must provide valid mailing address and phone number within 10 days of selection announcement.
• No substitute winners will be selected for ineligible or "no-show" Runner Up participants.
• Grand Prize and Runner Up Prizes awarded one (1) to a team. 

How to Join the Skirmish

1.  Create a game (or project) using your preferred game engine inside the skirmish schedule.
2. Join the Pirate Jam Pre-Jam Skirmish 2020 on itch.io.
3. Submit your game through itch.io before the final submission date.

Voting & Scoring Criteria

Voting will open soon after the jam ends and is open to the public.
The Grand Prize winner and Runner Up prize winners will be selected by host and support staff. 

Official Rules

By participating, Contestants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the judge(s), which are binding and final on matters relating to this Contest. Complete rules, eligibility and submission guidelines, conditions, and restrictions can be found here: 

Pirate Jam Pre-Jam Skirmish Official Rules

Avast ye!