I recently participated in the Global Game Jam 2013. It was fun. Here is an impression video.
Because I haven’t been involved in the management and presentation of this year’s jam, I was able to actually work on a game in a team for the first time. It was an exciting 48 hours. I was working with my friend Max and a couple of my students from AIB / Texas A&M. We developed a very simple music game for the iPhone. Perhaps the coolest thing about it is that we actually finished it and submitted it to the iTunes store. It is currently being reviewed. Will post when it’s out.
One think that struck be about the Jam is how the mood / morale of the team usually goes through the same arc it does in a long game development process. Initial confusion about where to start. Exuberant enthusiasm once a concept has been agreed on. Utter disappointment beyond the midpoint as it becomes apparent that you can’t quite fulfill the initial vision and you need to start slashing features. Swinging back to boundless enthusiasm shortly before deadline once all the different elements fall into place and the game start working as intended.
I’ve been always an avid proponent of Jams. I keep discovering other ways in which they are a useful way of preparing for long-term game development.
