Let's make games that use Random Generation!
The Creative Theme is to be determined... support our Patreon to suggest & vote on themes!
Join us in our Opening Event on July 8th and Closing Showcase in person & on stream at twitch.tv/PIGSquad
A word on games using Random Generation:
- Make a game or tool that combines random elements to make something special! Create a game that features characters, stories, gameplay elements, statistics, goals, or anything else as a generated element that will cause the gameplay experience to be unique every time. Or, create and use random generation tools to prompt the direction of your game while you execute on making it. It's time to pull out those dice and hinge it all on chance!
- Hyper Derby, EYE: A Murder Mystery Generator, Schrodinger's Cup, The One and Only Horse Generator, and Cave Think are good examples of past PIGSquad community projects that use elements of random generation, as well as so many more games that use random numbers in RPGs or luck of the draw in card games.
Jam Schedule:
We will be hosting streams and other online activities to support jammers in meeting and sharing. This list will update over time. All times listed in Pacific time zone.
- July 8th, 6:30pm: Kickoff on Twitch and in-person
- July 22nd - Submissions Due
- July 27th, 6:30pm: In-Person Jam Showcase - Bring your game out to share it in-person in Portland!
- July 28th - Online Jam Showcase - We're playing every game on stream!
Rules & More Details:
- Non-Portlanders are welcome to participate remotely.
- Follow PIGSquad on social media channels for consistent updates on team forming, events, workshops, and other opportunities. Tweet at @PIGSquad with your progress and we'd love to share!
- If you'd like to contribute to the jam theme, suggesting & voting is exclusive to our Patreon members - learn more here!
- All participants, in person or remote, must follow PIGSquad's Code of Conduct. As a general rule, please keep entries "PG-13" or younger. No nsfw content.
- Do not police submissions or make fun of / talk down on jam submissions or jammers' ideas in PIGSquad channels or otherwise. Our goal as a community is to uplift creative collaboration and learning.
- We encourage you to jam with new people or on a team, but it is not required. We will be providing resources for team forming at the jam kickoff and throughout the jam timeline for those who want to jam based on the theme.
- This jam is not a competition and is not judged.
- Please don't crunch! We host game jams over extended periods of time and like having open conversations with jammers about scoping projects to encourage a healthy outlook on creative production schedules. If you need help scoping, please reach out.
- Jammers retain full ownership of the games they make during PIGSquad jams.
- Late submissions or submission updates can be accepted - just get in touch with an organizer. Please note that games must be updated on your itch page multiple days before the showcase if you'd like the updated version of your game to be played at the jam showcase. You are welcome to update your game at any point after your jam submission regardless of when the showcase is.
- Sticking to the theme is encouraged, but not mandatory - if you have an idea you'd like to pursue that branches from the theme, we encourage you to make that game!
- We will be removing spam submissions from the entries that are clearly submission bombing to multiple jams or otherwise.
- Thanks to Ika for creating our header art! Check out her work at https://ikazilla.com/.
Summer Slow Jams:
Each summer, game makers get together to make a game project with friends and community members in a few weeks! Summer Slow Jams is a collection of game jam events happening once a month this summer, providing structure and networking opportunities for creatives in Portland and remote participants. Participate in a jam to finish a creative project, learn new things, meet new people, and share your work!
Creative themes are delivered during each kick off event then shared online, and developers are able to showcase their game jam projects at each closing event in Portland, OR (or online). In between the dates of the kick off and closing showcase, you are encouraged to meet up with others using online channels to complete a game over whatever in-jam time period you see fit: take it slow if you need!
For more information about how to participate in Summer Slow Jams, visit pigsquad.com/summerslowjams. Summer Slow Jams this year include Resource Management Games in June, Random Generation Games in July, and Sports Games in August.
Tweet with the hashtag #summerslowjams and PIGSquad will retweet screenshots, video uploads, and blog posts of jam games while you're working on your games!
The Portland Indie Game Squad is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting the health and continued expansion of game developer and enthusiast communities in Portland, the Pacific Northwest, and online. We provide events, resources, and networking activities for art and technology creatives. Learn more at PIGSquad.com.
To play more games made at Portland Indie Game Squad jams, visit our itch collections!