How does the time of release affect? Don't want to nitpick but even the very last submissions are in before the next jam day starts so...
Viewing post in What am I doing wrong?
Lots of people like to have their "ducks in a row" right when the jam starts. ie: project already set up and ready to jump into right away.
In order to the that, you'll need to start deciding which projects to pick from before all submissions are in. You'll start to form ideas about those projects you're watching, and it's a lot harder for a last minute project to show up and interrupt this planning.
I see, good explanation. I didn't really think about that since in my timezone, jam days start at 1:00 am so I can start working only after work, closer to the end of the day. Tbh would be fairer for everybody if submissions weren't visible until time's up. Many jams do that to discourage early submissions in hopes of more visibility.
I do watch what others are releasing that day, but I go over the rest of the games when I'm starting in order to decide what I want to do.