Game Jam 2012
Portsmouth Gamejam is now recruiting.
The date is confirmed as 11th June.
A new site specific website has been developed:
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Click here for some Photo's last years Portsmouth
event
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For the Cesi Gamejam site
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Associate websites
Frequently Asked Questions:
What hardware and software is available?
What are the prize categories?
What other facilities are available to use?
What if my game is brilliant? Who owns it?
If you have any other questions
When is it?
The game jam will take place from 9am on Monday to Friday, normally in the 3rd week of June (yet to be confirmed for next year). The opening hours are 9am to 5pm each day. Judging takes place midday on Friday, followed by an awards ceremony.
What is a Game Jam ?
Game jams are generally social, collaborative competitions where competitors, usually form into teams, have to make a video game from scratch and in a set period of time. Mostly the time period tends to be 24 or 48 hours, however our game jam lasts a week, during normal office hours.
Where is it?
Initially, we will all meet in the Eldon building (room to be aranged) at 9am. All 100+ computers in the Eldon basement will be allocated to the competition for the remainder of the week.
Who should enter?
This year the event is open to anyone 18 or over. You can take part as part of a team, or just come on your own. You don't need experience or specific skills, just enthusiasm.
Closer to the event date, an application from will be available from this site.
What hardware and software is available?
There will be four rooms available, with quite high specification university computers. You will be able to use your university login (or guest account for visitors) and have access to standard university software, including 3D Studio MAX, Maya, ZBrush, Photoshop and Visual Studio (with XNA). Additionally, you have access to Windows 7 onto which you can install your own software. You must have a valid licence to be able to install your own software on the machine.
What software can I use to make the game?
Anything you like. You should be aware however that your game will need to be demonstrated to an audience, probably in one of the larger lecture theatres.
How big can a team be?
There is no limit, but given the time-scale, large teams (say above 5) could be unwieldy.
Are refreshments provided?
There will be a free lunch provided, normally at a local public house from noon until 2pm. You will be required to indicate what you would like for lunch in the morning. Standard facilities rules apply however, meaning that you will not be able to eat or drink in the computer labs/studios.
How are the games judged?
We normally have a panel of judges from industry to look at the entries. Failing this, the entries will be judged by the competition organiser.
What are the prize categories?
There are several prizes:
Best overall game
Best adaptation of a theme
Most helpful team (or individual)
Best looking game
Most technically advanced game
Best sound
Best dressed team
People’s choice award
Pathologic award for the most hopelessly ambitious game
Most original design
Best animation
Can we make any game we like?
No. The theme for your game will be decided on the day. This will be done by showing your team three random Wikipedia articles. You must then base the theme of your game around one of those three articles.
Can I bring in the assets I have been working on for the last three years?
Yes.. And no. Game jams are meant to be more fun than competition, and we would not want to see almost complete games being brought in with a view to trying to win. We would rather you made your game from scratch. The event is more about meeting new people, learning new techniques and passing on your own profound wisdom to others.
What other facilities are available to use?
In addition to the computers labs, you will have access to the Virtual Reality Lab (should you decide to make a game using emerging technology), the music studios, the Motion Capture facility and the video editing suites. There are also 10 Xbox360's for XNA development and 10 Playstation 3 development kits and PSP development kits subject to signing a NDA.
What about additional help?
We hope to continue to have visiting industry professionals who are normally more than happy to offer advice to teams. We actively encourage teams to help each other.
How many people can enter?
There are places for around eighty five people, which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Closer to the time a link will appear on this site.
Initially, we ran this event to trial innovative new ways of learning and teaching. Nowadays, we run the event for fun, learning and networking. In past events, a visiting company recruited a participant!
What if my game is brilliant? Who owns it?
You do.
Your team owns the IP of the game, however as all of the work will be created using educational licenses of software which means that it cannot be used for commercial purposes unless you acquire the professional version of the software.
We would, however, seek your approval for us to take photos and/or videos of you and your work in order to promote the event in the future. If you're really, really nice it would be great to have a copy of your game and permission to use it for promotional purposes too. If we asked really nicely, could you include the Game Jam logo in your titles?
The staff (and I'm sure, visiting professionals) will be more than happy to help you in your endeavours.
Game Jam 2011
Game Jam 2011
