[arg_discuss] Alternate Reality Game Jam (Idea)

[Thomas Maillioux]

Hi John,

To put it in a nutshell, I think it's a very good idea and I'd love to see
it happen :)

As you mentioned, resourc es can be discussed later and shouldn't be too
much of a hinderance (we're all relatively well equipped computers-wise, I
believe). Forums and sub-forums or even temporary wikis would be very nice
to use. Google Wave can be interesting, but can also get very messy, so be
very cautious that everyone follows certain guidelines when using it to
avoid having a hard time finding your way around the waves in the end.

That's all I can think of for now - keep us posted for the first edition of
your Game Jam !
Tom.

2010/7/16 John Evans <btradish at earthlink.net>


> So, the independent game development community has these things called

> "game jams".  These events usually take place over 48 hours; Game developers

> (programmers, artists, musicians, writers, etc.) form teams to create a game

> within the specified time period.  Sometimes the teams meet at real-world

> locations, as in the Global Game Jam ( http://globalgamejam.org/ ); other

> game jams are entirely on the net, as in Ludum Dare ( http://ludumdare.com).

>

> The whole idea of a game jam is to get people creating games.  Don't worry

> about how good it is, don't worry about how good you are, just get out there

> and do it.  Learn what it takes to make a game, marshal your resources,

> learn your tools, work with other people and build confidence in yourself.

>  Also, game jams often yield experimental games that get people thinking in

> new directions about what a game can be.  The game jams often have a

> constraint or catalyst (the word "islands", for example, or the phrase "as

> long as we have each other we'll never run out of problems") that get the

> developers thinking in new ways.  And one of the largest benefits is that

> once the jam is over, there are lots of people eager to play all the games

> that have been produced and provide feedback.  This also helps build a

> community around the jam.

>

> I'm sure you see where I'm going with this.  The above paragraphs describe

> creating computer games, but they can apply to alternate reality games too.

>  Even if you prefer things more on the "narrative" side and less on the

> "game", the concept still fits pretty well.  I think it'd be cool to have an

> Alternate Reality Game Jam to get more people into creating and critiquing

> small ARGs.  (If we can free a mime in 10 minutes, we can create something

> interesting in 48 hours, right?)

>

> I could provide some basic resources, perhaps a forum with a private

> subforum for each team.  Of course, it really is pretty easy to get

> resources together nowadays; anyone can create a Youtube account or 70.  But

> we can work that out later; Right now I just want to know...Does this sound

> like a good idea?

>

> =====

> John Evans

> Chaoseed Software - http://chaoseed.com

>

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