Our games are too complicated!

Our side projects are also too complicated!

Make something simple and fun, and don't spend a ton of time on it - high level rules

1. Your game may have no more than 5 rules
2. Your game can only use 5 assets

Need another object? tint an asset you already have in code. squish it, stretch it. Get more miles out of a sound by fucking with the pitch. Just come up with a concept of a mechanic that you think would be fun to play, and make it.

FAQ's

What's an 'asset'?

I had meant mainly a visual asset, e.g. 5 sprites. Note that this system is totally up to your own interpretation! If you want to cheat the spirit of the jam and make one big 'asset' texture sheet with a billion sprites on it that is up to you. I will not save you from yourself.

What's a 'rule'?

Good question! That's a tough one to pin down, especially given how different games can be. So we're going to leave this up to your interpretation. Don't exceed 5 rules, however you define them. And when you submit the game you'll be asked to enter what your rules are so people who look at your game entry can see them.

These constraints seem arbitrary.

Well, they are arbitrary. But constraints are good! They help you focus down on making something that fits, and thinking of how to work around constraints can be a great source of inspiration and technique. But more than anything these constraints were picked to try and help you keep things small - so many of us get on projects that go on for months and years, the process of making something to completion in a short timeline can be incredibly rewarding.

Will there be voting?

No, I've disabled voting for the jam.

Why?

Because everyone who finishes something and submits it is amazing, and votes after the fact can make people feel like their work wasn't as valuable if they see other games getting a ton of votes. Make games, share games, enjoy games.

What's with the multi-week timeline?

Weekend jams are great but they're hard for people who have family commitments, second jobs, etc. Hopefully by spreading things out over a few weeks everybody who wants to participate will get a chance to do so.