Game Jam Tips and Resources

Welcome to the world of Game Jams.

In this document, you'll find a collection of tips and links that are meant to save you the pain of making needess mistakes in approach and docus so that you can do your best work while Jamming. This is a work in progress, so feel free to suggest items that should be added. Also, I expect this document is full of typos. My apologies for that.

My Tips

Stick to 2D or Even Text

The amount of work that goes into making even low-poly 3D models is insane. Add on texturing, lighting, etc. and the chances of getting anything done during a game jam is hard to imagine. Don't think your game even needs graphics. (Some Jams allow you to build board or card games. This can be a great way to imagine new gampley mechanics and can even lead to better video game designs down the road.)

If you must do 3D, stick to primitives (i.e. spheres, cubes, etc.)

If you're he#$ bent on going with 3D, stick to primitives but keep in mind that the effort you'll be putting into that extra dimension means you're going to have to cut effort from somewhere else.

Final Graphics (e.g. sprites, tiles) Optional

Do not focus on the polish of your graphics. Gameplay is more important. That the game runs smoothly is more important. Having start and end states is important.

Nail the Basics First

You may have really cool ideas that you think will put your game over the top. Remember that havign a working game is mre imporatant than getting all your great ideas into this first version.

Make It Work First - You Can Improve the Game Later

After the Jam is over, you can add in the polish and spice that you didn't have time during the sprint to the finish. Just focus on completing a game. Trist me, the game you're dreaming of won't fit into a Jam.

Focus on Skills/Tools You Know

A Jam is a high pressure way to learn noew base skills and tools. Try to use familiar tools or learn your way around the ones you'll be using ahead of time. Nothing worse than having plans go sideways because your workflow is bottlenecked because you're using something brand-new and are feeling your way around.

There's No Shame in Borrowing

Borrow assets, gameplay ideas, music, etc. from other sources if you must. Borrow from old projects if allowed. Doing things the hard way is good for the ego but will take your attention away from working on the things that can only be built now, during the short window of time that you have.

Have Fun!

Have as much fun as you can. Do silly things. Try weird ideas. Throw incogruent things together. If there's a moment to go off the wall and a little crazy, it's while Jamming with friends.

Divide and Conquer

Jam with teammates with complementary skills, divide the work, bounce ideas off each other. Try to get a working game loop fast and demo for each other as often as possible. Look over each other's shoulder, pair up on a single computer and have one person drive then switch off. Being part of a team if a bigh chunk of the fun.