A
AverageJoe
Guest
When is the next Jam? I kinda want to get involved but have minimal experience with Game Maker Studio.
Also, voting results clearly show you people prefer 4 Jams a year rather than 3, so I'm taking down the poll. Thus, the next GMC Jam will be carried out between May 26th, 12:00 UTC and May 29th, 12:00 UTC.
Perfect! Thanks a bunch. I'll be graduated by then.
I suppose an advantage of having one theme is that we are all disappointed together. Shared misery builds community spirit....sets too many people up for last minute theme disappoinment when their favorite doesn't get chosen.
I'm going with whatever Alice thinks because Alice knows best ^^ But on a side note, the more Jams the better for me : ) I had so much fun last time. Btw, when is the next GM Community Jam?Ah, I suppose the voting app could use some revamping, yes. I actually planned to make it possible to define own voting criteria and templates, but it's quite a feature to add, and I had trouble finding time for that.
When it comes to dedicate more forum space to Jams, I suppose it's something to discuss with high admins. Maybe something can be done about that, maybe not, I guess I will poke @Nocturne about that...?
I guess the Jam variables (currently the themes, earlier we had handicaps and hype words and secret words and whatnot) is one of the large topics of discussion, in and of itself. I'd like to hear about ideas. Possible options to consider:
- top 3 themed winners pick 3 themes revealed a day before Jam, one of them is chosen through voting (current)
- the overall themed winner picks the next Jam theme revealed at the Jam day, people stick to that theme, 2nd and 3rd place pick nothing (like in old, old times); has risk of poor theme being chosen, but aside from that is pretty straightforward
- top 3 themed winners pick 3 themes revealed at the Jam day, participants can pick either; as long as at least one theme is used, the entry is "themed" (we kinda had something like that in DAY AND NIGHT/SACRIFICE Jam); reduces the poor theme risk, and allows greater variety
Another random thought I had: blanks theme. Basically, before the Jam letters are gradually revealed, and at the Jam day... the theme is revealed, but it's still letters with blanks, like "-E-O---S" or something. Then, participants make their own themes to match the blanks (using letters, digits and spaces), and mention the theme in their game post, or game title, or in some readme file or something (it should be something known from the beginning, though). So, themes like MELODIES or MEMORIES or DEMONESS or RECOLORS or even ZERO GAS are all valid. The upside is, it's pretty original and clearly stands out among other game Jams, and additionally, it can lead to insane games variety. On the downside, it might be a bit confusing? '
(alternately, there would be 3 fill-in themes, and participant should use all 3 of them to make their entry "themed", though not necessarily make the game revolve around each of them; it should still allow lots and lots of possibilities)
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Also, alluding to idea mentioned in this post...
[Suggestion] 3 Jams a year, Ludum Dare counter-aligned
Instead of having Jams 4 times a year, in January, April (Ludum Dare month!), July and October, they would be on February, June and October.
Pros:
- more time for participants to take a breath between Jams
- not as extreme as only 2 Jams a year, which gives people far fewer opportunities to participate
- no collisions with Ludum Dare nor Global Game Jam
- October still remains a Jam month, and we all (i.e. I) know it's the best month
- I get more time to rest in general, I might be more dedicated to other Jams
Cons:
- it's still fewer opportunities to participate compared to the current setup
- it'd make a 5 months gap between the last Jam and the next one; it's a one-time thing, though
Alice said:Also, voting results clearly show you people prefer 4 Jams a year rather than 3, so I'm taking down the poll. Thus, the next GMC Jam will be carried out between May 26th, 12:00 UTC and May 29th, 12:00 UTC.
To be honest, I've just came to hate the hangman game. It's gotten stupid over the years. It was a fun little tease in the first few but when they started doing it for secret words, handicaps and two themes we weren't even using it was just too much.As for this poll, I like the theme being picked only be the previous winner, no handicaps. Handicaps especially made the pre-Jam games of hangman get annoying. That's also why I stopped following those threads and only chiming in to say the clock's been updated, and then just CTRL+F for my name or "countdown", "clock", etc.
I see you, pal!Time traveling space pirates.
Like wise! I remember that jam.I see you, pal!
Well, it's the theme. You don't have to dress up at a Halloween party but it's often fun to. The entire event is optional and supposed to be fun.I decided to not partake in the vote as it really doesn't make a difference.
The top place holders often don't follow the theme or the handicap anyway. So, how does theme and handicap even matter?
. . .The top place holders often don't follow the theme or the handicap anyway. So, how does theme and handicap even matter?
Even if this somehow happened that would speak more about the quality of the costume you produced compared to that of the "Darth Maul". If "Darth Maul"'s costume is so bad that he can't win a costume contest against a plain clothes Joe then he really shouldn't be winning it anyway.You then get tapped on the shoulder and win a prize for best costume (even though you turned up in your every day kit). How is that fair to Darth Maul standing in the corner over there. Gnarly gnashers, lightsaber and sh!t. Clearly he has put in more effort than you.
I have been testing, recreating and developing a project for 6 years now. Told to "bring my A game" I could recreate a miniature version on the first day then spend the next 48 hours trolling for kills. The Jam is about doing something fun and different. Doing the same thing I've been learning to do and working on for the last 6 years in a "mad" 3 day rush sounds like an average weekend for me.I'd personally love to see a 'free for all'. Code the game in whatever engine you like, bring your best..
I dont think we do have a Best Voter category, I mean we have Best Reviewer. I mean reviewer is different to voting. Reviews are mostly writing compositions that describes the person's experience and opinions upon an entry he/she tried from different point of views. Vote is basically providing ranks of an entry... thats it. But I get what you mean. Its not a good idea to allow players provide best reviewer since its not reliable to trust regular participants on such criteria without the correct understandings and proper knowledge on reviewing a game. Then again, there is a slight possibility that relying regular participants to vote is like letting false or bad information into a book. Although most of the voting is base on opinions and personal appeal so there are no specific standards. Everyone is different to what they see on games. However, Failed tendencies we can see in a voting phase are:You can't ask people to vote for the best voter.
It hasn't exactly been my favorite either. I really enjoyed the puzzles, even if I was too dumb to solve any . What used to be a dynamic, interactive way to build hype has since become "oh look, more letters. huh."To be honest, I've just came to hate the hangman game
It's these new incredibly-cryptic clues. It's much more difficult to come up with theme possibilities when we don't even know how many letters it is. These clues are fun, but they go right over most people's head, while with the old ones all you need is a simple crossword solver and you have hundreds of possibilities to discuss.
And from Jam 19 topic:Second RekNepZ. People just don't care when they have to give the slightest poop. Myself included. I never done any guessing anyway, but it was fun to see people's silly suggestions, these cryptic things is just looking at a couple of people talk among themselves, which to those just browsing looks like poke'nonsense, so they/we/I just leave.
So, uh, it's not 100% certain to me that the puzzles are superior compared to the hangman game. As I see it now...I don't like when creative people get to choose the themes...
We always end up with these damn puzzles...
Why do you hate me?
My thoughts are:Now that we know the Jam format, we can discuss voting format! In particular:
- what should be required for a valid vote (currently: top 3 positions)
- how the games should be ranked/rated (currently: strict ranking of at least 3 entries, possibly including all entries altogether)
- whether there should be special awards, and what these would be (currently: Best use of Theme, Best Concept/Story/Presentation/Devlog)
That's not what I mean at all. I mean it's just no point in having two voting rounds. One for the games and then one for the voters (reviewers). Picking the best reviewer is just picking who gave the best feedback in the vote. If we start voting for voters we become a parliament.I get what you mean. Its not a good idea to allow players provide best reviewer since its not reliable to trust regular participants on such criteria without the correct understandings and proper knowledge on reviewing a game.
Yes but then how are these extra, "optional" votes counted? If they carry extra value then the vote from two different uses carry two different values. Every voter should be the same and have the same value to their vote. It's unfair that some people's opinions are worth more than others, it shouldn't matter who "voted harder".Top three votes should be required.
You are encouraged to vote for more but not required. It can be hard to rank a lot of games so it's better to keep it optional.
I see your point and while I think the current system works well I wouldn't mind making it a simple top three vote too much (though I do enjoy seeing how well I score). I think the important part is encouraging reviews. If we only vote for top three, it should be clear that you can (and are encouraged to) review more games than that. Who knows, maybe a limited voting system would lead to more focus on reviews?Yes but then how are these extra, "optional" votes counted? If they carry extra value then the vote from two different uses carry two different values. Every voter should be the same and have the same value to their vote. It's unfair that some people's opinions are worth more than others, it shouldn't matter who "voted harder".
Your (counted) votes have nothing to do with the reviews you can write.The Jam (for as long as I can remember it) has always encouraged as many reviews as possible. Even before Nocturne created the "Best Reviewer Award".I see your point and while I think the current system works well I wouldn't mind making it a simple top three vote too much (though I do enjoy seeing how well I score). I think the important part is encouraging reviews. If we only vote for top three, it should be clear that you can (and are encouraged to) review more games than that. Who knows, maybe a limited voting system would lead to more focus on reviews?
We can stick with the top 3 choices but if people still want the Best Categories for personal motivation in jam, then let the host alone assign the winners. There is no reason for us to vote for it ourselves if it isnt worth a score on the jam, its putting more work for the participants in voting phase. I mean it can be for fun though but why put more work for it? Now if the host disagrees on this then I believe it is better not to add any Best Category at all and establish a new method on attracting participants.- Changing the format of voting system so that voters choose only top103 best entries while host only gets to choose Best of categories.
I suppose the term "concept" is rather broad. So maybe a more specific name like "best gameplay mechanic"... or "most creative gameplay" would avoid the confusion....whereas "Best Concept" is meant to go to the most interesting/creative and fun gameplay mechanics.
Yes. Optional further ranking should not effect the final rankings in anyway, only the mandatory votes should count and they should count equally amongst everybody. Anybody who didn't get a vote in those mandatory fields shouldn't be included in the final Jam ranking but included in people's personal (optional) rankings.So, right now we have:
- required top 3 with a piece of feedback
- optional further ranking, feedback not necessary
- optional Best of Theme/Concept/Story/Presentation/Devlog
And Best Reviewer is picked by the Jam host.
Anyone has anything against keeping things as they are now?
That's not really a problem with you or the Jam set up. Game designers really should know the difference between game concept and story. I mean, even hobbyist developers should. Even non-developer gamers should know. It's pretty basic.Also, does anyone has some renaming suggestion? In particular, some people seemed to confuse "Best Concept" with "Best Story", whereas "Best Concept" is meant to go to the most interesting/creative and fun gameplay mechanics.
That's a good point. Votes for "best gameplay" often go to the voter's first-place choice. That's not necessarily bad, of course. But it may overlook innovation outside the top tier games.I'd go with most creative because that's what I thought the point was, not necessarily best gameplay.
Fine, but let's do that in the Game Design Forum, not the Jam. Like you said yourself, Jams should be relaxed fun. I think that goes for both the creation process and the voting process. No need to lecture (or scold) people over their design definitions....(snip)... It's practically a moral responsibility to teach them the designer's alphabet.
Audio, Balance, Concept, Design, Engine, Funding, Graphics, HUDs & Intelligence. Anybody who can't ID the exact definition of each of those words is basically game developer illiterate.
You don't have to lecture or scold anybody to teach them. That's pretty much the problem with our entire educational system. All it takes is a little, clear description pointed out to voters in the mandatory voting rules, something they should read, and friendly people willing to point them towards it if they stray away. I'm pretty sure this obscure internet game development forum, for all it's trolls, is capable of at least that much.Fine, but let's do that in the Game Design Forum, not the Jam. Like you said yourself, Jams should be relaxed fun. I think that goes for both the creation process and the voting process. No need to lecture (or scold) people over their design definitions.
Either way, your post seems to confirm that "game concept" is maybe too broad. Assuming it comprises audio, balance, concept, design, etc. elements that you listed. So voting for that category would be about the same as voting for best game. Seems rather redundant to me.
Clear as mud. j/k I understand your point.The definition of "concept" is "an idea, a plan or an intention". "Game intention", I.E. the goal the game was working towards, regardless of it's actual final presentation, should be pretty clear.