Hey Devs!
In this blog, I’ll share my experience of participating in my first game jam. Let’s dive in!
What is a Game Jam?
A game jam is an event where game developers create games based on a specific theme within a set time frame. Traditional jams usually last between 2 to 7 days, but some can span weeks, months, or even years! Game jams are an excellent way to challenge yourself, push your creativity, and learn new skills. If you’re looking to participate in or find game jams, itch.io best platform to explore.
Should you participate in a Game Jam?
The answer is a resounding yes! Whether you’re an experienced developer or a newbie like me, game jams are absolutely worth it. They’re a fantastic way to test your skills, learn new techniques, and collaborate with others. For new developers, game jams are an efficient way to dive into game development and build a network of like-minded individuals.
There are many Discord servers dedicated to game jams, such as the Brackey’s Community Discord, where you can connect with thousands of developers. I highly recommend game jams to developers of all levels—they’re a great way to explore new skills and collaborate with others.
If you’re planning to participate in your first game jam, check out this video: [How to Tackle Your First Game Jam]. Also, don’t miss the Brackey’s Game Jam 2025, happening this February!
Global Game Jam 2025:
The Global Game Jam (GGJ) was an initiative that was took by International Game Developer Association (IGDA) in 2008. The GGJ is a non-profit organization. I found out that they conduct Game Jams annually since 2009. Click this (History of GGJ) to learn more about their history. This year’s theme was Bubbles. The GGJ which I took part in was an On-site jam, where the game developers are expected to be on the site for the entire jam period. The jam was for 48 hours (2 days) which started on a Friday evening (24/02/2024) and ended on the following Sunday eve (26/02/2024). The theme was announced a week before the jam. The theme for the 2025 GGJ was “Bubbles”.
My Game Jam Experience:
I decided to participate in this jam as part of a team, but I didn’t have one initially. Luckily, the GGJ site organizers created a WhatsApp group where I found my team. It was my first time working with a team, and it was a fun and exciting experience!
Our team consisted of three members, each with different ideas for the theme. After brainstorming, we combined our ideas and decided to create a thrilling underwater exploration game where the player is guided by “bubbles.” We used the Unity engine, and it was my first time working on a 3D game.
I’ll admit, AI tools like ChatGPT were incredibly helpful during the process. However, I didn’t just copy-paste code—I took the time to understand and learn from the code snippets provided. This approach allowed me to grow my skills, which is what game jams are all about: learning something new.
I was amazed by the talent and creativity of the developers around me. By the end of the jam, we had a game to submit, and we were proud of what we accomplished in just 48 hours. However, we made one mistake: our game’s design was too ambitious for such a short time frame. But as they say, mistakes are part of the learning process, and we definitely learned a lot!
Final thoughts:
My first game jam was an unforgettable experience. Meeting and interacting with like-minded individuals was refreshing and inspiring. As a newbie, my advice is to start small or be prepared to trim your ideas as you go. Remember, players at game jams want to try multiple games, so keep your game loop concise and engaging.
So, what are you waiting for? Go out there, participate in game jams, grow your skills, expand your network, and keep rocking, Devs!