About

What is a game jam?
To clarify one common misconception: the Houghton Game Jam is not a lan party, or any other kind of videogame-related festive event. Instead, it’s an opportunity for local game developers (be they professionals, students, hobbyists or otherwise!) to get together and try out our wackiest game concepts in a fun and supportive atmosphere.

What is this year’s theme?
The theme of this year’s game jam is Exile.

How can I join in the fun?
Just go to the Registration Page and register for the event (An e-mail address will be required). Please keep in mind that we have a limited number of spots, however, and so entrance is on a first-come first-serve basis.

I don’t want to make a game, but can I watch?
We welcome anyone who wants to drop by during the course of the event. If you want to stop in and take a look at what the participants have done so far, or maybe just to chat for a bit and get some information about the IGDA or game jam itself please feel free to come over. We do ask that you refrain from overly distracting the participants, however, and of course the provided food and beverages aren’t available for you (sorry).

Do you provide equipment for participants?
Unfortunately, no; we don’t have the resources to provide computers and development tools for everyone in the game jam. You are expected to bring/provide your own computer(s), editing tools, input devices and software. Participants are encouraged to share among each other when possible, especially if you’ve got something large and unique (like a midi keyboard or scanner) but this is not explicitly required.

We will, however, have discs on-hand containing potentially useful tools, game engines and other free or open-source utilities. There will also be a handful of different game pads (primarily Xbox 360 controllers) available for your use during the session.

Will there be internet access at the game jam?
But of course - as long as you’re a student at MTU you will be able to use Rovernet via either wired or wireless LAN. You are responsible for bringing a network cable along with your computer if you need one!

What happens to my game after the game jam?
Your games are yours to do with as you please when the event is over. However, the MTU chapter of the IGDA and the Houghton Game Jam reserve the right to post compiled versions of your game on their respective websites. The games will not be sold by us under any circumstances.

Additionally, we encourage (though we do not require) participants to make their games and source-code available under a Creative Commons license. If you are interested in this, the game jam staff will be more than happy to explain the various options available to you and will make sure that your chosen terms are made clear wherever we post your game. Standard open-source licenses such as GPL are also encouraged.

Can I use <insert game builder here>?
Generally speaking, game building programs are perfectly acceptable. Given that the Houghton Game Jam is only 24 hours anything you can use to speed along the creative process is open for use. However, the game jam staff reserves the right to disallow any tools that they feel violate the spirit of the event (but we don’t expect to have to do this).

A short list of tools you might consider procuring (note that many of these cost money):

  • Torque Game Builder
  • Blitz 2D/3D
  • RPG Maker
  • XNA Development Studio (free!)
  • Adobe Flash

Are there any rules?
Although we don’t want to be restrictive in terms of what you can do, we also want to make sure that the playing field is as level as possible. With that in mind, we have a short list of things to keep in mind:

  • Don’t bring a pre-designed game - you’re welcome to think about the theme, of course, but don’t walk in with a 10-page design document.
  • Keep pre-written code to a minimum - that is, don’t start writing your actual gameplay code in advance. However, generic engine code is both acceptable and encouraged.
  • Work within the theme - we keep the theme pretty broad for a reason, but we’d still like you to at least try to do something related to it. Please don’t just try to shoehorn an old design concept into the theme unless it really does apply!

You mentioned keeping a “level playing field”…is this a competition?
In the strictest sense of the term the Houghton Game Jam is not a competition - we would prefer an atmosphere of cooperation and camaraderie. However, it’s always worthwhile to provide recognition when someone clearly goes above and beyond the call of duty, and so we have create three categories in which a game can “win”:

  • Best Overall Game
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme
  • Most Innovative

Who will be judging my game?
The games created at the Houghton Game Jam of 2010 will be voted on by selected people from the Gaming Industry.
Judges will be announced later.

What kind of prizes can I win?
Given enough funding, there will be prizes for the contestants. They will not be anything spectacular, they’re mostly here for fun and to acknowledge particularly excellent work.
Prizes will be announced later.

Who runs the Houghton Game Jam?
Financial support is provided by Husky Game Development and individual donations. We do not (at this time) have any corporate sponsorships

In specific, the game jam was created and organized by Norm Nazaroff.
It is currently being organized by Garrett Hoofman.