Moderator Browntul here. Congratulations on finishing your game prototype!

I will be playing your games from My First Game Jam: 2024 on Twitch. I'll be scheduling them such that I play a selection of games on the following dates:

• Monday, August 11th (11 games)
• Tuesday, August 12th (4 games)

A change I am doing this year is that I will be playing less games due to my schedule, and that I'm playing all the games almost immediately after the game jam is over. Another change is that I'm taking game requests exclusively on Discord. So, make sure you're in the Discord server and find my post in the playtesting-forum channel to submit your game.

Thanks in advance for your submissions!

• Discord invite link: https://discord.gg/8p8KtKtDvQ
• Submit your games in this post after joining: https://discord.com/channels/134789836497354753/1271593546666741840 

Hey OL! Since you have Discord, you can also join our Discord server and check out the #teamfinding-forum channel to look for a team!

Hey JSEBAC- if you have a Discord account, you can also ask our community in Discord under the #teamfinding-forum channel! Good luck!

Hi evertonmaia, welcome! You may be able to get more responses by joining our Discord and checking the #teamfinding-forum channel!

Hi Mr_Rozmarin, if this is intended to be a looking-for-team post, you may have better luck looking in our #teamfinding-forum channel on Discord!

Hi everyone, we have one more set of games coming up on Sunday's stream (see previous post)

This will be the last stream. Thank you for watching the previous two!

Hey folks, I lost the internet connection so I will have to end the stream here. Sorry for the inconvenience. I will readjust the schedule for the next stream in September.

Sunday, September 10th, 2023

• 7:30pm PDT: Stream introduction
• 7:40pm PDT: Cosmic Resurgence
• 8:05pm PDT: Gliding Depths
• 8:30pm PDT: Happy Motel
• 8:55pm PDT: Puzzle Disaster
• 9:20pm PDT: Nos 4 Speed
• 9:45pm PDT: The Abandoned Office Game
• 10:15pm PDT: Stream conclusion

In addition, you can access the VOD from both today's stream and last Sunday's stream at https://twitch.tv/browntulstar and https://youtube.com/@browntulstar .  The VOD from this stream will be available tomorrow.

Since game submissions on the itch.io post have settled down, I've reduced the number of games played to 20 (instead of 40). There will be 2 more time slots to be filled for anyone that would like to share (make sure to follow the example post)

Sunday, August 27th, 2023

• 7:30pm PDT: Stream introduction
• 7:40pm PDT: Work Week
• 8:05pm PDT: The Cycle of Lyfe
• 8:30pm PDT: Cycles Blade
• 8:55pm PDT: CORPO | MENTE
• 9:20pm PDT: Low Poly Isolation
• 9:45pm PDT: The Abandoned Office Game
• 10:15pm PDT: Stream conclusion

Sunday, September 10th, 2023

• 7:30pm PDT: Stream introduction
• 7:40pm PDT: Cosmic Resurgence
• 8:05pm PDT: Gliding Depths
• 8:30pm PDT: Happy Motel
• 8:55pm PDT: Puzzle Disaster
• 9:20pm PDT: Game #19 (if necessary)
• 9:45pm PDT: Game #20  (if necessary)
• 10:15pm PDT: Stream conclusion

https://twitch.tv/browntulstar

Please follow the instructions on the first post of the thread in order to be considered to be played on the stream!

Apologies. MFGJ Games #1 is on Sunday, August 20th; not Saturday (date itself is correct).

**MFGJ Games #1 on Sunday, August 20th**

• 7:40pm PDT: Cellular Perfection
• 8:05pm PDT: Detergent
• 8:30pm PDT: Sprout Story
• 8:55pm PDT: Palinova 
• 9:20pm PDT: Again!
• 9:45pm PDT: Hamterror
• 10:25pm PDT: BeetleWing: The Metamorphosis
• 10:50pm PDT: The Cycle Of War: Trench Assault

https://twitch.tv/browntulstar 

Looks like we got a couple of games on the post. I will play the games in order, on most Sundays starting on August 20th, until I run out of games (limit 40 games combined). So that means:

• Sunday, August 20th, 2023, 7:30pm PDT
• Sunday, August 27th, 2023, 7:30pm PDT
• No stream on Labor Day weekend
• More Sundays as needed

I will be setting up Discord Events soon. The times will be in your time zone, and I will post in advance how many games I will play when the date gets closer. Thanks again!

Moderator Browntul here. Congratulations on finishing your game prototype!

I will be playing your games from My First Game Jam: Summer 2023 on a streaming platform to be determined later. I'll be scheduling them such that I play a selection of games once per weekend, starting at a time to be determined later. If you're looking for direct and immediate feedback, I suggest that you post your game in the #playtesting/#promo channels on Discord or in one of the playtesting threads on itch.io!

Here's what you need to do if you would like me to play your game on my stream:

1.  Post the itch.io link to your game as a reply below. (Do not direct-message me as it will not work).
   1. Your game must be submitted to this iteration of My First Game Jam.
   2. Make sure it can be played as either a Windows executable (exe) or as a web game for a desktop web browser.
2. Add the title and a brief description of your game in your reply. 
3. Credit all your game's contributors.
4. Indicate whether your game is suitable for all ages or not, and if there are adult themes that would otherwise make your game not rated PG-13.
5. Include what time zone you are in so that I can try to group together games from similar regions into one stream. (Don't worry if you can't make it- the vods will be available afterward).

Note that I will not be able to play all games for various reasons, including if there are too many submissions below. Sorry about that! But you are also free to play other jammers' games. Use the #promo channel on Discord to promote your game.

I will update this post with the list of games I will be playing when the dates are determined. I'll be dedicating 20 minutes to each game. For each game session, I will try to speak out loud what I am thinking at the moment and try to identify the goals of the games and the main game mechanics. After each stream, the VODs will be available so that you can watch it again at your own time.

I can't wait to play your games! See you all soon.

- Browntul

This will be the cutoff post for the games I will be playing on stream.

Thanks to those that submitted a game. Timing didn't work out, so I am delaying this playtest series until later in March. I'm sorry people have to wait, but luckily you all can play any of the game jam game anytime by going to the itch.io page!

This post is missing a description. Please reply with the proper information.

Moderator Browntul here. Congratulations on finishing your game prototype!

Like the last iteration of this jam, I will be playing your games from My First Game Jam: Winter 2023 on my Twitch stream (twitch.tv/browntulstar). The dates that I will be playing the games will be announced at a later date.

Playtest Post Requirements: Here's what you need to do if you would like me to play your game on my stream:

1.  Post the itch.io link to your game as a reply below. (Do not direct-message me).
   1. Eligibility Requirements: Your game must be submitted to this iteration of My First Game Jam. It must also be legally submitted per the rules: for example,  if it is submitted to multiple game jams, it is an invalid submission and will be skipped over.
   2. Platform restriction: Make sure it can be played as either a Windows executable (exe) or as a web game for a desktop web browser.
2. Add the title and a brief description/pitch of your game in your reply. 
3. Credit all your game's contributors.
4. Indicate whether your game is suitable for all ages or not, and if there are adult themes that would otherwise make your game not rated PG-13.
5. Include what time zone you are in so that I can try to group together games from similar regions into one stream. (Don't worry if you can't make it- the vods will be available afterward).
6. (Optional) Like in the mid-jam/post-jam playtesting thread, you can put a list, questions, or description of what you would like critique on.

Example:

1.  Guzman Home Run Derby. Hit all the home runs with your friends from Guzman's family and friends!
2. https://browntulstar.itch.io/guzman-hr-derby
3. Browntul Star, A. Guzman
4. Suitable for all ages (no mature content, no gore)
5. Pacific Time Zone (PST); UTC-8
6.  I'd like an opinion on the one-touch mechanics as well as the physics of the swing. And also I want to know if the DLC store is priced well!

My Persona/Demographic: The following is my general persona: I am a 20-30 years old male (he/him/his) living in the United States. I enjoy playing competitive multiplayer games like Mario Kart, KartRider, and VALORANT.  While I am a narrative skipper, I've enjoyed games like the Mass Effect trilogy, Xenoblade Chronicles, and Life is Strange. Lately, I've been on Minecraft with friends and learning about strategies to beat PlateUp!. My attention span in games can be short as I'm used to short-form experiences. My game-jam style is to process levels in small portions instead of more open-world style of exploration games. My IRL focuses are to become a software engineer/game designer but lately I've been doing amateur work as a broadcast producer.

Format: I'll be dedicating about 20 minutes to each game. If your game requires more than 20 minutes for me to understand your game, this playtest may not be for you. For each game session, I will try to speak out loud what I am thinking at the moment and try to identify the goals of the games and the main game mechanics. It will be a simple critique as it is not expected for game jammers to focus on quality; rather, initial prototype potential will be the focus. 

Stream Dates: I will update this post with the list of games when the stream dates are announced.  After each stream, Twitch vods of each day will be available so that you can watch it again at your own time. Note that I will not be able to play all games for various reasons, including if there are too many submissions below or if they are invalid game jam submissions.  But you are also free to play other jammers' games. Use the #promo channel on Discord to promote your game. 

I can't wait to play your games! See you all soon.

- Browntul

Great submissions so far. Keep up the great work!

You've submitted your submitted game to multiple game jams, which is against the rules of this game jam.

Please be sure to read the rules before submitting to this game jam.

In this game jam, you can only upload one game submission.

Thanks everyone for submitting games to play. I will play them on my stream at https://twitch.tv/browntulstar as described in the first post of this thread.

I've created a spreadsheet to show the games I will play alongside the corresponding times! Some of you didn't fill out the form correctly so I inferred info from the other info given. Games/times: https://bit.ly/browntulmfgjs22showcase

As a reminder, I'll be spending up to 20 minutes on each game, giving thoughts on the gameplay as I play. I will also try to give feedback based on what you all requested.  

See you all next week! 

Moderator Browntul here. Congratulations on finishing your game prototype!

Like the last iteration of this jam, I will be playing your games from My First Game Jam: Summer 2022 on my Twitch stream (twitch.tv/browntulstar). The dates that I will be playing the games will be announced at a later date (probably the week of July 24th, Pacific Time Zone)

Here's what you need to do if you would like me to play your game on my stream:

1.  Post the itch.io link to your game as a reply below. (Do not direct-message me as it will not work).
   1. Your game must be submitted to this iteration of My First Game Jam.
   2. Make sure it can be played as either a Windows executable (exe) or as a web game for a desktop web browser.
2. Add the title and a brief description/pitch of your game in your reply. 
3. Credit all your game's contributors.
4. Indicate whether your game is suitable for all ages or not, and if there are adult themes that would otherwise make your game not rated PG-13.
5. Include what time zone you are in so that I can try to group together games from similar regions into one stream. (Don't worry if you can't make it- the vods will be available afterward).
6. (Optional) Like in the post-jam playtesting thread, you can put a list, questions, or description of what you would like critique on.

Example

1.  Guzman Home Run Derby. Hit all the home runs with your friends from Guzman's family and friends!
2. https://browntulstar.itch.io/guzman-hr-derby
3. Browntul, Guzman
4. Suitable for all ages (no mature content, no gore)
5. Pacific Time Zone (PDT)
6.  I'd like an opinion on the one-touch mechanics as well as the physics of the swing. And also I want to know if the DLC store is priced well!

Note that I will not be able to play all games for various reasons, including if there are too many submissions below. Sorry about that! But you are also free to play other jammers' games. Use the #promo channel on Discord to promote your game.

I will update this post with the list of games next week, on Saturday, July 23rd. I'll be dedicating about 20 minutes to each game. For each game session, I will try to speak out loud what I am thinking at the moment and try to identify the goals of the games and the main game mechanics. After each stream, individual Twitch vods will be available so that you can watch it again at your own time.

I can't wait to play your games! See you all soon.

- Browntul

Alright! February 5th has come so I have locked in the games I will play. 

There weren't as many games this time around, so I'm playing games only on Wednesday and Thursday in the evening, Pacific Time. Not everyone filled in the proper information, so I assumed everyone that didn't list a time zone is in the Pacific time zone, and that their games are PG-13 (probably a risky assumption, but I will list my streams as "mature audiences only" to be safe!)

I've tried my best to accommodate local time zones in another column in this spreadsheet if you wanted to watch it live, but you can always re-watch the vods afterward using the same link below!

See you on stream soon, on February 9th and 10th!

https://twitch.tv/browntulstar 

https://bit.ly/browntulmfgjw22showcase

Moderator Browntul here. Congratulations on finishing your game prototype!

Like the last iteration of this jam, I will be playing your games from My First Game Jam: Winter 2022 on my Twitch stream (twitch.tv/browntulstar) on the following dates and times (all Pacific Time Zone):

• Mon Feb 7th 7-11p ( 9 games )
• Wed Feb 9th 7-11p ( 9 games )
• Thu Feb 10th 7-11p ( 9 games )
• Fri Feb 11th 1p-5p ( 9 games )
• Sat Feb 12th 9a-12p  ( 7 games )

Here's what you need to do if you would like me to play your game on my stream:

1.  Post the itch.io link to your game as a reply below. (Do not direct-message me as it will not work).
   1. Your game must be submitted to this iteration of My First Game Jam.
   2. Make sure it can be played as either a Windows executable (exe) or as a web game for a desktop web browser.
2. Add the title and a brief description of your game in your reply. 
3. Credit all your game's contributors.
4. Indicate whether your game is suitable for all ages or not, and if there are adult themes that would otherwise make your game not rated PG-13.
5. Include what time zone you are in so that I can try to group together games from similar regions into one stream. (Don't worry if you can't make it- the vods will be available afterward).

Note that I will not be able to play all games for various reasons, including if there are too many submissions below. Sorry about that! But you are also free to play other jammers' games. Use the #promo channel on Discord to promote your game.

I will update this post with the list of games I will be playing shortly before February 5th. I'll be dedicating 20 minutes to each game. For each game session, I will try to speak out loud what I am thinking at the moment and try to identify the goals of the games and the main game mechanics. After each stream, individual Twitch vods will be available so that you can watch it again at your own time.

I can't wait to play your games! See you all soon.

- Browntul

Thanks to everyone that submitted their games. I'm using this message as a cut-off for the games I'll be able to play on stream. Here is the link to the games and the specific times I will play them: https://bit.ly/browntulmfgj21showcase . Note that I'll be clipping each segment so that you can watch it later on your own time. Thanks!

Moderator Browntul here. Congratulations on finishing your game prototype!

Like the last iteration of this jam, I will be playing your games from My First Game Jam: Summer 2021 on my stream (twitch.tv/browntulstar) on the following dates (all Pacific Time Zone):

• July 13th 9p-12a
• July 15th 9p-12a
• July 16th 1-5:30
• July 20th 9p-12a (added)
• July 23rd 1-5:30p (added)

Here's what you need to do if you would like me to play your game on my stream:

1.  Post the itch.io link to your game as a reply below. (Do not direct-message me as it will not work).
   1. Your game must be submitted to this iteration of My First Game Jam.
   2. Make sure it can be played as either a Windows executable (exe) or as a web game for a desktop web browser.
2. Add the title to your game and a brief description in your reply. 
3. Indicate whether your game is suitable for all ages or not, and if there are adult themes (I may need to group those games together)

Note that I will not be able to play all games for various reasons, including if there are too many submissions below. Sorry about that! But you are also free to play other jammers' games. Use the #promo channel on Discord to promote your game.

I will update this post with the list of games I will be playing shortly before July 13th. I'll be dedicating 20 minutes to each game. For each game session, I will try to speak out loud what I am thinking at the moment and try to identify the goals of the games and the main game mechanics. After each stream, individual Twitch vods will be available so that you can watch it again at your own time.

I can't wait to play your games! See you all soon.

- Browntul

Update (Jul 11th): Looks like there are way more games to play this time around than last time. Based on my time estimates, I'm going to go with the first-come-first-serve approach for the stream dates above. Please don't hesitate to take part in the review swap instead if you'd like to get your game prototype peer-reviewed! (see #streams)

Update (Jul 12th): Thanks to everyone that submitted their games. I'm using this message as a cut-off for the games I'll be able to play on stream. Here is the link to the games and the specific times I will play them: https://bit.ly/browntulmfgj21showcase . Note that I'll be clipping each segment so that you can watch it later on your own time. Thanks!

Update (Jul 17th): Added dates above to reflect the schedule spreadsheet

Game engine templates are allowed since they are good starting points. Your final game should not be very similar to the default templates (to the point that it could just be considered a light mod of the template).

Yes, you can submit your game early if you desire. As long as the game is submitted before the timer runs out on the itch.io jam page, you can submit.

Done already? Great- you can submit at https://itch.io/jam/my-first-game-jam-summer-2021

Please feel free to propose your idea in #teamfinding on Discord as well!

Glad you are excited. Good luck with your project!

I'm glad you are excited. Good luck with your project!

Game Title/URL: Gift of Reach https://browntulstar.itch.io/gift-of-reach

Pitch/Information: "Gift of Reach" is a prototype puzzle game revolving around hitting objects to reveal hidden gifts in the subject's room. The player, constrained to a spot in the room, must use special balls to hit certain items in their room out of the way to reveal the glowing present that they've been looking for. They then must reeeeeeeach with their hand to grab it. 

I'd like feedback on: 

• The level design. I've only implemented a few ideas revolving around hitting switches. I wonder what else I could implement. So far, I've thought about removing the restriction on the player (you can only look around, you can knock yourself onto a moving object or something like that).
• The control scheme (see below).
• The potential user interface, in terms of placement and info. Too much info? Too less info? 

I need help on: 

• The control scheme. This is my first game involving shooting an object from a first-person perspective (I guess a FPS?) I wanted to keep all the controls on one input device, in this case the mouse. I wonder if there are other options for the control scheme I present in this prototype.

Hey tottori, thanks for your comment. This is good feedback actually- I think I should have made it more clear that you can scroll or use the arrow keys to change the projectiles. I'll need to make this more clear if I continue to work on the game. Thanks for your feedback!

[I've been posting updates on Twitter and my Discord. The following are exact copies of these posts. I will try to update here more often!]

7/15/20 Blog Post 3

This isn't much but I finally figured out how to deal with Unity colliders again. I want the player to be able to throw multiple projectiles to knock things out of the way. So far, I'm still not sure what the goal of the game is. I do like this player perspective of being smol, looking for something so hidden (ie, under the bed). I think knocking things out of the way would be a super cool mechanic. Maybe, I can have different balls do different things (ie. one bounces, another goes fast but doesn't bounce, etc.). But I'm getting too ahead of myself.

I do want to implement the retrieval mechanic. It's probably gonna be a hand. LMAO. A sketch looking hand bc I don't know how to 3D model. But basically, this hand will extend from the player's location and if it can reach the item, then the player wins.

We'll see how it goes. Even if I don't finish the game on time, it is definitely something out of my comfort zone. I've made too many 2D games. Perhaps this is just me acknowledging I need to know 3D engines to be a successful game dev.

(Twitter video) https://twitter.com/browntulstar/status/1283351921525272577

[I've been posting updates on Twitter and my Discord. The following are exact copies of these posts. I will try to update here more often!]

7/14/20 Blog Post 2. Just a Twitter link!

https://twitter.com/browntulstar/status/1283015515942739968

[I've been posting updates on Twitter and my Discord. The following are exact copies of these posts. I will try to update here more often!]

7/13/20 Blog Post 1.
I still don't know what this game is going to be called, but it's going to be one of those one-input-only style of games again. I think it's going to be a searching game with some puzzle elements in it. It's going to be in first person.

That is not very precise of a game description, but I am taking a different approach due to my lack of motivations as of late. Ideally, I'd want to come in to the game jam with an idea of what I want to do. But this time, due to various issues, I was not able to do that. This will be a great challenge: coming up with a prototype of a game that I don't even have an idea what it's going to be. 

I do have something good on my side. I'm at home. I have time: 14 days is longer than the usual 48-72 hour window. And I have a wonderful network of people to ask questions, including the #MyFirstGameJam discord and Unity's now-free learning website. Speaking of Unity, I have been trying to learn more on how to use the game engine effectively. Guzman HR Derby came out of this game jam last year and was made in Unity. I really want to work on a new idea and move away from HackUWU- this involves me giving up my attachment to GameMaker: Studio and my love for nuzzle wuzzle... eh, oh well, you get the idea.

I have a little video here. It shows some balls flying towards other balls. You click to launch the ball.

(Twitter video) https://twitter.com/i/status/1282632903965335552

But Browntul! This is such an easy thing to make. Why make a blog post for something so simple?

I think it's important (and kinda fun!) to learn where your ideas stem from. It's just balls flying everywhere for now, but it's my first step towards realizing my primary game mechanic.

I want to make some sort of puzzle game. I want the player to be able to confirm that they found it by hitting it. But I'm not sure if it will be an arm, a camera, a ball... a ball just seemed natural for now.

What kind of puzzles will I make? I don't even know yet. But figuring out this base mechanic is so important. I'll be spending the next two days figuring that out.

(Twitter image) https://twitter.com/browntulstar/status/1282632911531851777

I have a scuffed photo here. I'm using an iPad as a secondary monitor on my crammed table. It does the job. Having code on the side, and seeing it dynamically update the game state on the main screen is such a great workflow.

Anyways, that's all I have for today. It's been a bit demotivating to work on something new... but it's a start. I have to stay motivated. I want to try to make something new... and get out of my comfort zone.

Development of Guzman HR Derby

Attached is a video that acts as a TL;DR of this DevLog!

Thanks for watching!

- Browntul (Arthur)

BrowntulStar Presents: Guzman HR Derby

https://itch.io/embed/449476

Take Over The Scoring Title!

Play as your favorite Composite K players in Guzman Home Run Derby!

• Hit those baseballs out of the stadium in four game modes!
• Set new records on the local leaderboard! 
• Play as the entire Composite K team*!

Check out the "About" page in-game for more information.

Check out the "DLC Store" in-game to "support" the Composite K softball team!

Google Chrome is suggested for the best gameplay experience. There are known rendering issues in Safari.

Feedback

All feedback is welcome! I am specifically looking for feedback on the game mechanic specifically, and the overall game difficulty/replay-ability.

[Day 15] Guzman HR Derby Complete!!!!!

After getting the approval of the man himself, Guzman HR Derby is ready for release!

https://itch.io/embed/449476?bg_color=0a0a0a&fg_color=d6d6d6&link_color=e53b44&border_color=333333

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/page.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fguzmanhrderby%2F&tabs=timeline&width=340&height=500&small_header=false&adapt_container_width=true&hide_cover=false&show_facepile=false&appId=394908714489814

The itch.io submission page for this game is linked here.

Controls:

• Mouse/Space (hold and release): Swing
• Mouse: Select

Now What?

In the end, I can look back on this project and say that I completed a Unity 3D game (or more generally, a 3D game) by myself, without having to do it for a class! 

I already had previous experience with game development cycles and game design fundamentals; but this game jam was useful in that, among other things:

• It was my first game jam ever! And its duration of 16 days compared to an in-person hackathon's 2-day average duration was what made this project conceivable. 
• It got me involved in online communities. I never have a reason to use Discord, so it's nice to learn how to use.. uh, Discord. And not Piazza. Or proprietary school message boards. Or email threads.
• It added a skillset to my portfolio.  I previously mentioned my experience in GameMaker: Studio, which is technically obsolete now (in favor of GameMaker Studio 2). Adding the free Unity software to my skillset is going to help me in the long run, whenever I want to make my next game or work somewhere that uses Unity!

As for the future? I don't know what games I'm going to make next. A few years ago when I was working on games in 2D, this one nice lady one told me that I really need to make a QWOP clone. Well, my friend- that is starting to become a closer reality ;) (no promises though)

Peace out!

-Browntul (Arthur)