Let's make Idle games!
The Creative Theme is "Mutation"
Join us in our Opening Event on June 11th and Closing Showcase Stream at twitch.tv/PIGSquad on Friday, June 30th at 7pm PT and Sunday, July 2nd at 12pm PT!
Join our Discord to share progress in the #gamejam channel, and support the PIGSquad nonprofit with a donation on Patreon!
A word on Idle games:
- Make a game that feels automated but requires player choice and input at meaningful intervals, make an app that rivals your favorite clicker game, or make a game with a simple idle subsystem. Idle games are still so ripe for new interpretations or genre crossovers - your challenge is to see if you can successfully put your own spin on an idle game that keeps players invested in progress!
- Trash The Planet, Plant Budz, Tini Linguini, and Egg Friend are good examples of past PIGSquad community projects that create great idle experiences or references!
Jam Schedule:
We will be hosting streams and other online activities to support jammers in meeting and sharing. This list will update over time. All times listed in Pacific time zone.
- May 12th, 7pm: Speed Meet & Team Forming
- May 19th, 7pm-11pm: In-Person Speed Meet& Team Forming
- May 27th, 2pm-6pm: Game Maker for Absolute Beginners Workshop- Merlin will be streaming the workshop live and answering questions in chat as you follow along!
- May 30th, 7pm: Art/Code Night - Cowork & Team Form in Discord with other Jammers and Community Members
- June 7th, 7pm: Speed Meet & Team Forming
- June 11th, 7pm: Kickoff on Twitch and in-person (RSVP for in-person here)
- June 20th, 7pm: Art/Code Night - Cowork on jam games In Person or on Discord
- June 23rd, 7pm: Art/Code Night - Cowork on jam games on Discord
- June 26th - Submissions Due
- June 30th, 7pm: Jam Showcase - Showcase your game in-person (RSVP here) and streaming submissions on twitch.tv/PIGSquad
- July 2nd, 12pm: Jam Showcase - Streaming submissions on twitch.tv/PIGSquad
Rules & More Details:
- We are still organizing the events to determine what part of the jam, the opening event, and the showcase are in-person or remote. Non-Portlanders are welcome to participate remotely.
- Follow PIGSquad on social media channels for consistent updates on events, workshops, and other opportunities. Tweet at @PIGSquad with your progress and we'd love to share!
- If you'd like to contribute to the jam theme, suggesting & voting is exclusive to our Patreon members - learn more here!
- All participants, in person or remote, must follow PIGSquad's Code of Conduct.
- We encourage you to jam with new people or on a team, but it is not required. We will be providing resources for team forming at the jam kickoff and throughout the jam timeline for those who want to jam based on the theme.
- Please don't crunch! We host game jams over extended periods of time and like having open conversations with jammers about scoping projects to encourage a healthy outlook on creative production schedules. If you need help scoping, please reach out!
- Jammers retain full ownership of the games they make during PIGSquad jams.
- Late submissions or submission updates can be accepted - just get in touch with an organizer. Please note that games must be updated on your itch page multiple days before the showcase if you'd like the updated version of your game to be played at the jam showcase.
- Thanks to Marlowe and Alex for creating our header art! Follow Marlowe's Twitter at marlowedobbe.com and check out Alex's work at stuffalexmakes.com.
Summer Slow Jams:
Each summer, game makers get together to make a game project with friends and community members in a few weeks! Summer Slow Jams is a collection of game jam events happening once a month this summer, providing structure and networking opportunities for creatives in Portland and remote participants. Participate in a jam to finish a creative project, learn new things, meet new people, and share your work!
Creative themes are delivered during each kick off event then shared online, and developers are able to showcase their game jam projects at each closing event in Portland, OR (or online). In between the dates of the kick off and closing showcase, you are encouraged to meet up with others using online channels to complete a game over whatever in-jam time period you see fit: take it slow if you need!
For more information about how to participate in Summer Slow Jams, visit pigsquad.com/summerslowjams. Summer Slow Jams this year include Idle Games in June, Narrative Games in July, and Crafting Games in August.
Tweet with the hashtag #summerslowjams and PIGSquad will retweet screenshots, video uploads, and blog posts of jam games while you're working on your games!
The Portland Indie Game Squad is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting the health and continued expansion of game developer and enthusiast communities in Portland, the Pacific Northwest, and online. We provide events, resources, and networking activities for art and technology creatives. Learn more at PIGSquad.com.
To play more games made at Portland Indie Game Squad jams, visit our itch collections!