Hi !
This is the first time I try a jam (if my toddler let me 3 hours during the weekend) and I wonder which softwares do you use ?
I intend to use :
Gamemaker Studio 2 (coding)
Aseprite (sprites and tiles)
Reason (music and sfx)
but I have the feeling, I won’t be able to do all that in only 3 hours...
The software you intend to use sounds good, you should be able to make a game! It's likely that at first you'll go over the 3 hour limit, but that's ok, it's part of the learning process! Once you get better at planning and executing, you can beat the 3 hour challenge. So just go for it, make games, you'll have a portfolio of prototypes and valuable experience! :)
I used Gamemaker Studio: 1.4 and Aseprite (I didn't make my own sounds). I managed in just about 3 hours (slightly under 3:15) by making use of a solid planning and scope. I started by making an asset list, then making the art (~1 hour), then creating the actual game (~1.5 hour) and then finetuning it (~0.5-0.7 hour). The key part of having only 3 hours is that you have no time for iterations. You gotta commit to what you're making.
Personally, I used/use:
Engine: Unity
Art: Aseprite
Music/Sound: random generators for now
They all have worked great together so far. I saved a lot of time by reusing the same sprites and editing them superficially when possible. The Civilians in my game are the same base sprite, but I hurriedly painted over the clothes and hair to make new ones. Saved loads of time.
I use a few, though this jam I specifically used these:
Background music: WolframTones
Sound FX: SFXR
Also, you can try this one, its more complicated but its got some cool results: Abundant Music
