How You Can Benefit From Game Jams

Whether you are an absolute beginner or a seasoned professional game designer or anything in between or beyond, when Game Jams roll around there are opportunities to be had.

Besides outlining the benefits of Game Jams I shall also be making a few recommendations on how each type of participant may make the most of each experience.

Different Motives for Different Walks of Life

When beginners and pro developers grace the same Game Jam you just know that their motives and objectives are going to differ. Some persons may fall into one or more of the following categories.

The Beginner:

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While this person may know what a game looks like, they have a 'lot' to learn, almost no matter what role they fill. Often enough they will find that their limited skill-set threatens to limit their usefulness.

It'd be amazing if s/he could find another participant willing to take him or her under the wing - and teach a new skill. However a Game Jam environment holds only a limited amount of time and this is rarely feasible unless the other participant is specifically there to mentor the beginner.

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If the beginner is 'not' computer literate then I would personally recommend working on a table-top game. Game Jams are not the place to learn about Mac OS or Microsoft Excel, in my opinion (though it 'can' absolutely be the right place to learn a new games-related program (whether a game development environment, 2D or 3D art-based program or a music/sfx generation program, etc.).

Besides learning, the beginner should also try to build connections. Collect the cards of pros (and amateurs). Exchange emails with those without. Always write their names and their general self-described role if not specified so that it'll be easier to remember further down the line ("Was Maria a programmer or an artist?").

A lot of beginners have fortes.

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Some beginners may already have experience in an area. These have a choice. They could put their skills to practice for the benefit of a Game Jam project and team. Alternatively, they could choose to focus on a new area that they are unskilled in with the understanding that they will do some rapid learning and producing during the Game Jam period.

Both paths have legitimacy - though I suggest that the former route is better when one has an unrefined forte with room for learning, while the latter situation offers the best learning opportunity for a person with rather or highly polished skill-set that they'd rather broaden than further polish. Again, it comes down to motives.

The Gamer:

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Of course a few gamers are going to participate in Game Jams. They are big fans of their games and are itching for an opportunity to make games that they'd love to play (and this wish is not exclusive to gamers!).

One advantage of being a gamer (or having gamed in one's past (life happens)) is that one gains a direct feel for the choices that previous game developers have made for their games.

While one could suggest that this can stifle some creativity ("Oh yeah! Lets make a something that is like Megaman but plays like Doom!" (Hm... actually... that doesn't sound like the worst idea in the World (so long as running, jumping and a Metal Gear Solid-style 'radar' is included(...I digress!))))...

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...Of course its (kinda) been done...

Ahem... lets try that again.

While one could suggest that this can stifle some creativity (in that gamers may be tempted to recreate what they like), for as long as there is a conscious effort 'not' to just create a clone or a rip from another intellectual property or game style, such can improve their productivity when it comes to design decisions and balancing (in my opinion).

Of course, gamers can be both beginner and pro developers - and so other factors may come into play.

Naturally, one thing that a gamer will enjoy, towards the end of the Game Jam event, is getting to play the games, some great and some not-so-much-but-brave-none-the-less of other Game Jam teams. Friends can be made, as can connections.

The Pro-Developer:

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Now while I use the term "developer" here, this applies to anybody who has developed his or her particular skill-set to the point of actively working in the industry. Such could be a programmer, an artist, a musician, one into story-board and narrative development, etc.

You've already "made it" in gaming (or at least have gotten a lot further than many), so why might you be interested in joining a Game Jam? Well... several reasons come to mind.

You Want to Experiment:
OK. Lets say that you have conducted your entire game development career making Angry Birds games - and you've been wondering about a game from the Pigs' perspective, gunning in-coming waves of birds (who are angry) and building a high score?

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You 'could' try developing a new game and seeing how the fans react - or you could experiment in a Game Jam with a non-proprietary game called "Down with the Quackers!". Different perspective. Different art style. Different mechanics. A lot of "risks" that can be toyed with in the small sandbox environment of a Game Jam.

Learning a New Skill:
Even pro developers could benefit from learning a new skill-set - to shake-it-up and become more multi-disciplinary.

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Now they could certainly do this within their own work environment - however learning can be most effective when done "for fun" and within a positive environment. And one thing that Game Jam environments tend to be, especially during the first 24 hours, is positively charged. In the context of such a tight deadline, its likely that whatever the pro learner makes will make it into the game - and so there is a little pressure and pride to ensure that the material produced - is at least acceptable.

Making Connections:
Game Jams are lightning rods that attract developers, professional and amateur alike, to attend.

Inevitably this is going to be an excellent opportunity to network and touch-base with them. New alliances might be forged.

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This effect can be more pronounced when one joins a Game Jam in a geographic location other than that where one is based. This is because a local scene will likely involve other people in the industry with whom you are already familiar.

Scouting for Talent:
Similar to 'making connections', pros who either have openings in their ranks, or who believe in the concept of 'paying it forward', Game Jams are an excellent opportunity for pros to observe amateurs and other aspiring develops within a hectic yet positive working environment. Not only this - but they often also get to see the fruits of their work by the end of it.

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In this case, attending local Jams may be optimal as it is easier to keep in touch with somebody local.

To Wind-Down:
OK! So your latest release, 'Launch the Rocket-Badger 3', has been a success, and after a long period of crunch and tight deadlines and high stakes...

...you want to simply unwind in Game Jam with a tight deadline, crunch - and low stakes...

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...maybe a fun little game called 'Wack-a-Badger'... or something...

Game Jams have your back - and they typically don't have any pesky rules about not drinking... root beer!

A Word on Celebrities
OK - so this may be a little tricky if you're Hideo Kojima... or otherwise instantly recognizable, but there is something fun about joining a Game Jam with the express purpose of having fun (and/or scouting)... in a room where nobody recognizes you because you've got your clever disguise on.

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And even if you happen to be Hideo Kojima... or otherwise instantly recognizable, you could opt to join a Game Jam in another country or continent.

I am guessing that this would be more of a one-time thing though - mixing with pros and amateurs who haven't acquired your level of fame, pretending that you are new-'ish', and only revealing your identity at the end of the Game Jam... maybe (depends on how happy you are with the results).

To Conclude: What Are You Waiting For?

There is so much to be gained from Game Jams, no matter how low down or high up the ladder one finds the self to be.

Now I understand that we cannot all find an entire weekend of spare time, or a couple or so dozen dollars to participate in one - but don't forget that there usually are jams or competitions for whom the rules are different. I'll get into this at some point soon enough so feel free to follow if you want to catch wind of that or other posts that I'll be releasing over time.

One more thing...

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