1. Hi there! What's your name? Want to introduce yourself?
I go by Alaris or Alarikun online, and Tom IRL. 28 year-old male. I'm a retail-monkey IRL, but I hope to get into game-development full-time one day.
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?
I didn't participate in the Summer Jam, but I did in the 2017 Winter Jam. I kind of fizzled out after my second game last year, and I'd like to get back into 'jamming' and making games in general. What better way than to jump back in on January 5th?
3. What games are your favorites? Did any of them inspire you, or made you want to make your own?
Well, I don't think I can say I have on favorite, but of the games that may have inspired me to make my own, I would say Undertale. It was made primarily by one guy, and that is an inspiration to solo game developers, especially since he used an engine I own to make it.
4. Do you have experience with game development? What did you do/with what engine?
I've made 2 games (in Game-Jams mostly), and while I wouldn't call them complete, they do function, and at least a few people seemed to enjoy them. I used Game Maker Language to make them, but I might branch out from that in a future jam. For now, I'll stick with it.
5. Tell us about something you're passionate about!
Well, video games for one, but I guess that's obvious.
6. What are your goals for this game jam?
To re-ignite my passion of game-making. I hope to get back into jamming with this, and maybe... just maybe, I'll make a prototype I can branch from to make a fully developed game.
7. Any advice to new jammers (if you're a veteran)?
Umm... I wouldn't consider 2 jams a "Veteran," but if I can recommend anything, I would say to set a plan. The first thing you should do on Day 1 is open up a wordpad, and write out your plan, and how you want to accomplish it. What sprites you need to make, what code, sound assets, etc.
It's a lot easier when you know what you have to tackle, rather than leaving anything to wait until the last day.
8. If you're a returning jammer, what can the admins do to improve your jam experience?
Nothing I Can think of off the top of my head.