1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?
I'm Summer/Veo, owner of dragonGlitch Games LLC. I'm also one of the many folks from DSoP, Dallas Society of Play.
I'm 29 and female - my dayjob I am a software developer for IBM. My nightjob is working on video games. :)
2. Did you participate in the last jam we held? If so, what do you plan on doing better this time? If not, what's your reason for joining?
First time doing this jam, however, I am a game jam vet (11 game james completed, other side projects), and my main goal is help others through the game jam process. Please ask me questions and advice. :)
My other reason is to learn Shader Forge for my main project, Mercenary Leto. So my game this time will be small in scope with plenty of room to focus on the new technology.
3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?
My favorite game is Exile II : Crystal Souls.
Others - Super Maro RPG : Legend of the Seven Stars, Mario 3, Final Fantasy Tactics, Silent Hill 2, Undertale
4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?
I use Unity 2D, with Photoshop CC for sprites, and Graphics Gale for animating them. I occasionally use PaintTool SAI for sketch work.
I've made games in Php, Java, and ImpactJS, as well.
5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!
Reading, drawing, creating. Helping others in video games. Making my friends laugh. Cooking and cleaning for my boyfriend, whom I dearly love. :3
6. BONUS - Tips from a Game Jam Vet
After the 7th or 8th game jam I've done, I've come up with a schedule that helps me with manages scope - do this in order -
- 1/3 of the time for the jam - game is mechanically complete - ie, if it's Mario, you can jump on enemies and move and hit blocks. One screen prototype. Can be ugly, that's not the point of this step. The point is if your game loop is fun and short enough for you to build on it.
- 1/3 of the time - game is feature complete - ie, if Mario, you have all the levels and enemies and bosses you want. You can play the game from start to finish. Again, it still doesn't have to be pretty. Give to your friends to playtest at this point to find bugs.
- 1/3 of the time - make the game pretty - this is your time to polish, balance, and tweak anything that needs to be done.
* Don't have choice paralysis. Pick a game idea, pick an engine, and go. Finish it. Just do it. Even if it turns out terrible and you hate it.
* Ask for help.
* And above all, some of this advice may not work for you. Point is, all of us vets have different answers to your questions. We are all opinionated people, after all. But I would think all of us would say "just do it!" and couldn't be more proud. :)