The Dawson Game Jam is an intensive three day event, open to anyone interested in making a game based on the theme “Cataclysm.” No game-making experience or wizardry is necessary: all you need is enthusiasm and a desire to participate. Everyone is welcome!

It is hoped that teams will produce a working digital or non-digital prototype of their ideas by the end of the jam. Board games or card games more your thing? Go ahead, make one! There’s an incredible range of games that can be made during a jam. If you’re a lone wolf programmer, bring your skills and consider asking around for an artist or writer! It’s a great way to meet new collaborators!

Join us for three days of game creation and fun!

WHEN?

March 14, 15, and 16th.

Begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and ends at 3:00 p.m. Sunday; Showcase follows.

WHERE?

Dawson College

3040 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest.

5th floor, Room 5B.16

DIRECTIONS?

http://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/visiting-dawson

IMPORTANT

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN COMPUTER / EQUIPMENT!

(If you’re using sound, don’t forget headphones)

FEATURING

Food and refreshments, coffee and tea

Power and internet access

Chairs and desks

Mentors for informed feedback

Awards Presentation

Tentative Schedule:

Friday March 14th

18h00: Check-in

18h30–21h00: Keynote

19h00–21h00: Ice-breakers, group formation and work

Saturday March 15th

9h00–21h00: Work day!

Sunday March 16th

9h00–14h: Update, commit, last-minute debugging.

15h: Deadline. Hand in the best version of your game.

15h–16h30: “Games’n'mingling”– try out each other’s games!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What’s the theme?

Cataclysm! Make a game that incorporates this theme in an inventive way.

Can I sleep on-site?

You cannot sleep at the jam site. This is not an overnight jam. Bring a pillow for comfort, but go home to your comfy bed when you’re tired.

*Tip: it gets cold in the jam space at night! Bring an extra sweater or a blanket to keep warm.

Do I need to bring food?

We will be providing small meals and snacks. If you need something more substantial, there are many great restaurants and take-out places around Dawson. There’s even a grocery store across the street in Alexis Nihon Plaza.

Do I need to bring a team or can I sign up alone?

You can sign up with a team already formed, but you can also come solo and join a team while you’re here; we’ll have a team building session to help facilitate this. If you’re up to the challenge, you can also make a game by yourself, but we recommend trying to work with some new team members–it makes the jam a lot more fun! We also ask people who have formed their team before the event to consider adding a first-time jammer to the mix. If you have a team but are missing someone with a particular skill set, don’t worry, you will meet that person at the jam!

How many people per team?

There is no required number, but we highly recommend you stick to a maximum of 3. Anything above that can be problematic.

I have a team and a game idea. Can I start now?

The rules for game jams are as follows: you are not allowed to bring in any existing content. All assets of your game must be original, made from the start of the jam. You may use a pre-existing library, however, and if you do not have a sound person on the team, generally it is okay to include pre-existing sound which you have the rights to use.

You can prepare a high level concept or game design document.

I’m not available the whole weekend–can I still participate?

In order to participate in the jam, you must be available the Friday, Sat & Sun.

You can drop in and see how things are going, but please do not disturb participants’ workflow…

I don’t have a laptop. Can I bring my desktop?

You may, but only if you arrange this with us ahead of time.