GameJam+, the Game Development World Cup, Kicks Off In October - Registration for Participants Opens August 31
GameJam+ - a yearly video game development marathon established to foster and mentor new independent studios - today announced that registration for participants for the first stage of the event will open August 31, 2021. In addition, host cities can also still register until September 7, 2021. The fifth edition of the event begins in October and will run for seven months over multiple stages, with the first stage running from October 8 to October 10.
The first stage of GameJam+ runs like a traditional game jam where participants present ideas, form teams, and develop a game prototype within 48 hours. At the end of the first stage, each team will create a pitch for their project and present it to a panel of judges who will then evaluate and pick the finalist teams for each region. As a bonus, beginning on September 27 and running until October 8, the event will feature more than 40 lectures from industry veterans and professionals, providing invaluable insight and advice to budding developers.
“GJ+'s main objective is to turn games into businesses, especially in regions that don't usually have many opportunities,” said Ian Rochlin, founder and CEO of GameJam+. “For this, we created a seven-month methodology, where participating teams go through mentoring processes, workshops and assessments, all done by volunteers who believe in the purpose of our movement and in the future of the industry.”
The largest event of its kind, the goal of GameJam+ is to connect professionals from around the world by fostering a collaborative, non-profit movement in the creative economy ecosystem. Developers and industry professionals from all skill levels and areas of expertise will compete, collaborate, mentor, and connect with developers from all over the world. Categories this year include Diversity in Games, which aims to encourage more games made by women, BIPOC, and LGBTQI+ developers as well as more games with women, BIPOC, and LGBTQI+ protagonists and narratives.
Last year’s edition of GameJam+ featured entries from all over the world, representing 60 cities across 22 countries, 1,100 participants, 800 volunteers, and more than 2,000 hours of lectures, workshops, and individual mentorship. 281 titles made in the first stage alone, with a select 92 making it to the big final. You can check out all the winners from 2020 here.
The 2020 Grand Prize winner was Do Not Disturb, from developers Hollow Harpy, located in Manaus, Amazonas. Do Not Disturb addresses urban and indigenous legends in a setting of tension and mystery. Lara, the main character, travels to an old hotel in search of her friend and finds herself in a completely destroyed environment. Running away from strange creatures during her adventure, Lara must solve several mysteries at the hotel to save her friend.
Developers and industry professionals interested in participating, whether as a jammer, judge, mentor, sponsor, or organizers who would like to register their city as an official GameJam+ event site, can sign up and learn more at the GameJam+ official site: www.gamejamplus.com.