Day 1: Introduction to Jamming

Welcome to GGJ NEXT! First of all, let’s learn what it means to Jam!

  • What does it mean to jam?

    What does it mean to jam?

  • What do you want to get out of this?

    You are just starting your two weeks of game jamming. What do you want to get out of these two weeks? What do you want to learn?

  • Find and Play

    Find things around you and make a game out of it!

    Find The Play in Things Worksheet (PDF)

  • What does it mean to jam? Part 2

    Here is another perspective on Game Jamming

     

  • Think like a game designer

     Why do people like to play games? How can you make a favorite game even better? Let’s find out.

    Think Like a Game Designer Worksheet (PDF)

  • Choose Your Tool

    It’s never too early to think about what platform you want to make your game in. Go to this page to learn about different tools you can use, and to start going through the tutorial for that tool.

    What’s your game? Analog or Digital? Simple or Specialized? Your choice here will determine how you make your game in week 2.

    Analog – If you love building your game with your own hands and having a physical presence as you play, or just love board games and card games, then analog games are the ones for you. Reference Guide

    Twine – Want to make a story-based game in as little as 30 minutes? Twine’s got you covered. Access Tool Reference guide outside GGJ Next

    Scratch – Use this block-based coding tool for endless possibilities in your game. You’ll be up and running in no time. Access Tool Reference Guide

    GameMaker – Looking for a tool with intermediate level coding complexity, that is built  specifically for 2D game design? Code with visuals or with script. Access Tool Reference Guide

    Unity – Ready for the deep dive into coding, with one of the most powerful 2D and 3D game design tools used by game design professionals? The learning curve is steep, but the possibilities are huge. Access Tool Reference Guide

    dot big bang – dot big bang is an online platform that enables people to play, make, and share games, on any device, instantly! It’s grown into a fully-featured browser-based game making platform. Seamless cross-play and real-time collaborative editing works on all devices, with no install. Playing and creating on dot big bang is free, with future plans to let creators equitably earn money from their work. We’ll enable creators to sell cosmetic items to players and sell objects, scripts and templates to other creators. dot big bang is also free for teachers, with an education programme

    HypeHype –  Use this free new app to create and play games on your phone, tablet, desktop or browser, for free. Make games with a powerful 3D visual editor that is simple, fun, fast and requires no coding. www.hypehype.com

    Hyperpad – CREATE. SHARE. PLAY. Only with hyperPad, your visual coding app. No coding is needed when you have hyperPad, only your imagination. https://www.hyperpad.com/

    YAHAHA – We make 3D multiplayer online creation easy for everyone! YAHAHA is on a mission to democratize 3D content creation, helping creatives of all skill levels to make their own games, worlds, and social spaces. YAHAHA Studio is ideal for solo dev or small team to build games. It offers an all-in-one game development platform including millions of ready-to-use 3D assets, default multiplayer support, and low-code creation functions. Experience it now at https://yahaha.com/download

    Cubzh – Cubzh is a cube-based fully programmable universe, distributed as a lightweight all-in-one cross-platform application for players, artists and coders. Check it out at https://cu.bzh. Dev docs: https://docs.cu.bzh.

     

Apply to run an online jam

NB: All fields are required


Please tell us which location you helped with in the past:


  1. I will make myself available for a phone or chat conversation with GGJ NEXT organizers before Jam Site approval, and for possible emergencies after approval.
  2. I understand that I am making a commitment to run a 2 week online event, including 1 week of teaching and learning, and 1 week of a jam. I agree to commit to running the structure proposed by GGJ NEXT to the best of my ability, and be available and online for both kids and GGJ staff for at least 2 hours a day during the 2 week event period.
  3. I understand that Global Game Jam Inc. is not responsible for any incidents, accidents or problems that may occur.
  4. I understand and agree the importance to the commitment of child safety, and understand that my GGJ NEXT site can only go ahead once the legal contract has been signed and returned to Global Game Jam Inc, signed by both you and the head of the organisation where you are hosting the jam.
  5. I agree to use the GGJ NEXT logo on online and printed literature when promoting the event.
  6. I agree that I and the jammers will fill in a feedback survey at the end of the jam, to help contribute towards the event's research goals.
  7. I agree to show a short keynote at the start of the jam, and jam around the theme presented in the keynote.
  8. I agree to encourage kids to compile some video footage of the output of the jam, including some 'Let's play' videos of the games (either cast from the screen or recorded with a camera).

Apply to become a mentor

NB: All fields are required


Please tell us which location you helped with in the past:


Please Specify:

  1. I will make myself available for a phone or chat conversation with GGJ NEXT organizers before Jam week
  2. I understand that Global Game Jam Inc. is not responsible for any incidents, accidents or problems that may occur.
  3. I understand and agree the importance to the commitment of child safety.
  4. I agree to use the GGJ NEXT logo on online and printed literature when promoting the event.