Welcome to Winter MelonJam 2024!
Note: the jam is ranked just for fun and increased engagement, the top 3 in each category will be determined by our judges!
Winter MelonJam 2024 has now begun! The theme is POLARITY. Here’s some definitions:
- the quality or condition inherent in a body that exhibits opposite properties or powers in opposite parts or directions or that exhibits contrasted properties or powers in contrasted parts or directions : the condition of having poles
- attraction toward a particular object or in a specific direction
- diametrical opposition
- the state of having two opposite or contradictory tendencies, opinions, or aspects.
More ideas here (be warned, not all will work for games): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarity
Tips!
- Use multiple/uncommon definitions if it makes sense for your game, check that the game can’t be easily reskinned to fit a different theme (i.e. the association with the theme is not just surface level).
- What are some things besides magnets that have "polarity"?
- What are some things that are "polar" opposites of each other?
- What are some mechanics you can create with the attraction/repulsion related to "polarity"?
- What are some physics concepts that could relate to polarity?
REMINDER: you must keep a document of all outside/pre-made assets used.
In this game jam, we are inviting both beginners who have little to no major game development experience and more advanced developers. The game jam will start December 27th 5:00 PM UTC, and end December 30th 4:59 PM UTC for a total of 72 hours. All participants will have to follow a theme which will be revealed at the start date.
Why join MelonJam?
- Prizes including cash and licenses to useful softwares, courses, and more!
- Feedback for every game from professionals and college students in the fields of game development and design
- Welcoming community of game development enthusiasts on Discord (plus on demand cat pictures ^_^)
- Short time frame helps maintain focus and motivation
We recommend visiting our website for a recommended schedule and more information!
We will also be posting most of our updates on our Discord server, so join here: discord.gg/uYmNuZymJ2
We have three divisions, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. Don't know which division you're in? Check out the flowchart below!
(Creator of the Tier Selector - Alimad Co)
For any inquires (including sponsorship or judging), contact us at: melonjamgdc@gmail.com
Please read the rules before the jam and ask in the Discord if you have any questions!
- To be eligible for a prize, you must provide an adequate explanation for how your game fits the theme when submitting your game. You must also fulfill the requirements for your division OR lower. No smurfing.
- Any digital project that is not malware may be submitted. Keep in mind, however, that the judging criteria may limit your success if you do not submit a game that fits the theme announced at the beginning of the jam.
- All submissions must be developed during the allotted time slot. However, you are free to use any assets (music, 3d models, etc.) and tools (game engines, graphic design programs, etc.) that you made yourself or are given permission to use by the creators, such as through a creative commons license, an open-source license, or a purchase. If you choose to do so, you must mention this in your submission. Judges may take points off or award points based on pre-made assets.
- Participants may work alone, or form teams of up to 4 members in order to work on their submission. Participants can unofficially be in multiple teams, but cannot win prizes more than once per jam-- participants must choose one team to sign on with.
- The Cupertino Game Development Club reserves the right to not consider any uploaded games for prizes if the content does not follow the theme or is offensive or unsuitable. This includes but is not limited to: games with harmful or prejudicial themes related to gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, appearance, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, or religion.
- You may use any engines or tools at your disposal except for generative AI. No AI art, code, music, or any other assets is allowed.
- Participants who do not adhere to the rules above may have their submission canceled, or even banned from all future game jams hosted by the Cupertino Game Development Club.
Current Total: TBA
Current Cash Total: $750
Prize total is calculated based on total cash value of products, gift cards, etc.
NOVICE DIVISION
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
| $80 cash/gift card | $60 cash/gift card | $50 cash/gift card |
| 1 Cartoon Coffee VFX Mega Pack (worth $200) | ||
| 100€ WeLoveIndies coupon (worth $106) | 100€ WeLoveIndies coupon (worth $106) | 100€ WeLoveIndies coupon (worth $106) |
| 1x Aseprite key (worth $20) | 1x Aseprite key (worth $20) | 1x Aseprite key (worth $20) |
| 1x ArmorPaint key (worth $19) | ||
| 1x FL Studio Producer Edition key (worth $179) | ||
| 4x $100 Synty Store vouchers | 4x $100 Synty Store vouchers | 4x $100 Synty Store vouchers |
| 1x Pyxel Edit Key (worth $9) | ||
| 1x Zorin OS Pro (worth $48) | 1x Zorin OS Pro (worth $48) | 1x Zorin OS Pro (worth $48) |
| 1x Odin Inspector + Validator per team member (worth $100 each) | 1x Odin Inspector + Validator per team member (worth $100 each) | 1x Odin Inspector + Validator per team member (worth $100 each) |
| 1x Minifantasy Patreon Orc tier subscription per team member (worth $36 each) | ||
| 1x Kenney Game Assets All-in-One OR Kenney Asset Forge (worth $20) | 1x Kenney Game Assets All-in-One OR Kenney Asset Forge (worth $20) | 1x Kenney Game Assets All-in-One OR Kenney Asset Forge (worth $20) |
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
| $100 cash/gift card | $80 cash/gift card | $70 cash/gift card |
| 1 Cartoon Coffee VFX Mega Pack (worth $200) | ||
| 100€ WeLoveIndies coupon (worth $106) | 100€ WeLoveIndies coupon (worth $106) | 100€ WeLoveIndies coupon (worth $106) |
| 1x Aseprite key (worth $20) | 1x Aseprite key (worth $20) | 1x Aseprite key (worth $20) |
| 1x Kronnect asset (worth varies) | ||
| 1x ArmorPaint key (worth $19) | ||
| 1x FL Studio Producer Edition key (worth $179) | ||
| 4x $100 Synty Store vouchers | 4x $100 Synty Store vouchers | 4x $100 Synty Store vouchers |
| 1x Pyxel Edit Key (worth $9) | 1x Pyxel Edit Key (worth $9) | |
| 1x Zorin OS Pro (worth $48) | 1x Zorin OS Pro (worth $48) | 1x Zorin OS Pro (worth $48) |
| 1x Odin Inspector + Validator per team member (worth $100 each) | 1x Odin Inspector + Validator per team member (worth $100 each) | 1x Odin Inspector + Validator per team member (worth $100 each) |
| 1x Minifantasy Patreon Orc tier subscription per team member (worth $36 each) | ||
| 1x Kenney Game Assets All-in-One OR Kenney Asset Forge (worth $20) | 1x Kenney Game Assets All-in-One OR Kenney Asset Forge (worth $20) | 1x Kenney Game Assets All-in-One OR Kenney Asset Forge (worth $20) |
ADVANCED DIVISION
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
| $120 cash/gift card | $100 cash/gift card | $90 cash/gift card |
| 1 Cartoon Coffee VFX Mega Pack (worth $200) | ||
| 100€ WeLoveIndies coupon (worth $106) | 100€ WeLoveIndies coupon (worth $106) | 100€ WeLoveIndies coupon (worth $106) |
| 1x Aseprite key (worth $20) | 1x Aseprite key (worth $20) | 1x Aseprite key (worth $20) |
| 1x Kronnect asset (worth varies) | ||
| 1x ArmorPaint key (worth $19) | ||
| 1x FL Studio Producer Edition key (worth $179) | ||
| 4x $100 Synty Store vouchers | 4x $100 Synty Store vouchers | 4x $100 Synty Store vouchers |
| 1x Pyxel Edit Key (worth $9) | 1x Pyxel Edit Key (worth $9) | |
| 1x Zorin OS Pro (worth $48) | 1x Zorin OS Pro (worth $48) | 1x Zorin OS Pro (worth $48) |
| 1x Odin Inspector + Validator per team member (worth $100 each) | 1x Odin Inspector + Validator per team member (worth $100 each) | 1x Odin Inspector + Validator per team member (worth $100 each) |
| 1x Minifantasy Patreon Orc tier subscription per team member (worth $36 each) | ||
| 1x Kenney Game Assets All-in-One OR Kenney Asset Forge (worth $20) | 1x Kenney Game Assets All-in-One OR Kenney Asset Forge (worth $20) | 1x Kenney Game Assets All-in-One OR Kenney Asset Forge (worth $20) |
WOLFRAM AWARD -- awarded to all participants who utilize Wolfram Language as a significant component in their project, verified by a Wolfram mentor
- Access to Wolfram|One for 1 year (worth $1660)
- $500 scholarship to one of Wolfram's summer programs if accepted
PARTICIPANT PRIZES -- guaranteed* as long as you participate in the jam!
- Synty Store 15% off code
- One year of 1Password Families (worth $60) (up to 36 available, claim in our Discord server as soon as possible!)
- 7-day access to Interview Cake's full coding interview prep (worth $50) (up to 50 available, claim in our Discord server as soon as possible!)
- Access to Wolfram|One for 6 months (worth $830)
- Minifantasy asset bundle (worth $37.92) (link posted in our Discord server!)
RAFFLE PRIZES -- anyone who participates in the jam & fills out the feedback form is eligible to win any of these!
- 1x Aseprite key (worth $20)
- 1x ArmorPaint key (worth $19)
- 1x Kenney Game Assets All-in-One OR Kenney Asset Forge (worth $20)
Your game will be judged by professionals under the following criteria:
- Gameplay, or how well the game squeezes out value from its mechanics/how appropriate and appealing the controls feel (snappy platforming, impactful heavy attacks, or the like). This may differ depending on the genre of game.
- Graphics, or how impressive the project looks, sounds, etc.
- Innovation, or how “new” a concept in the game is (new graphics, new gameplay, new interpretations of old concepts, etc.)
- Theme, or how interesting the game's interpretation of the game jam's theme is.
- Polish, or overall polish/how complete the game feels.
Our judges this year are:
- Jolie Han, Former MelonJam Lead Host + Computer Science & Neuroscience Student @ MIT
- Jemian Lam, Former Cupertino Game Development Club officer and MelonJam Host 🍈
- Haydn Steffes, producer at Apogee Entertainment
- Haoyun Zhang, USC Games MFA Interactive Media & Game Design
- Alexis Schlomer, CMU MSCS grad
- Nikhil Medanki, a game programmer and graduate from UCSC
- Dylan Ravel, Lead Programmer on The Obsessive Shadow
- Mark Humilde, game programmer & graduate from SJSU
- Samantha "Sammy" Chang, Executive Producer (MSC) at GDA + Art & Design: Games and Playable Media @ UCSC 25
- Ethan Soo, Co-founder of CHS Game Dev Club & Co-founder at techToy Studio
- Patrick Wang, Co-founder of CHS Game Dev Club, CMU MSCS student, 2x Roblox SWE intern
- Harrison Roberts, Organized Play and Marketing Coordinator at Cryptozoic Entertainment
- James Zilberman, game design BS/MS student at RIT
- Jared Skold, independent game designer & project lead
- Adam Carter, game programmer at Sleeper Build
- Akshat Sachan, Game Designer at Sleeper Build Game Studio
- Aayushi Jethwani, Senior Software Engineer (Game) at Zwift, Inc.
- Nathan Huynh, recent Games & Playable Media M.S. graduate from UCSC
- Dylan Mahler, Computer Science major at UC Santa Cruz, game programmer and musician
- Randy Angle, Game Designer, Developer, and Teacher for 47 years
- Ying Yang, product lead on Pokémon GO at Niantic
- Yixing Xu, University of Toronto new grad and current Software Engineer
- Robley Evans, Game Developer with a masters degree in game design and development
All games are judged by as many judges as possible to ensure fairness.
Hosts: Laurier Ke, Winfred Lin, Faye Yu, Lydia Lei, Rohan Naphade, Qinzhao Li, George Tsirigotis, Richard Zhang, Matthew Xu
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Gold Tier:
Silver Tier:
Bronze Tier:
For any inquires regarding sponsorship or judging, contact us at: melonjamgdc@gmail.com