Thank You For Jamming With Us!

The Manila Game Jam is over and now is the time to look back and start thanking everyone involved.

Before the lovefest begins I would like to take this opportunity to say how proud I am, and how proud you all should be, of how far the gamejam has come.  We started with one location in the country with about 40 or so participants. This year we had three locations (with one outside Manila, how awesome is that?) and about 300 participants all in.  The game development community has grown tremendously, and I am sure it will pay dividends in the near future.  I know of at least 3 teams from this year’s Gamejam that want to turn their games into commercial products, and I couldn’t be more excited for them.

With every Manila Game Jam there’s also been at least one game that’s caught international attention.  In year 1 it was Crease, in year 2 it was Speck, and last year’s winner Enclosure was featured by Kotaku (the Australian version, but hey, it counts!).  Every Game Jam we’ve held has shown the world that we have a vibrant game development community here, and that they need to pay attention to us.

This is our shared achievement, so you should all take immense pride in it.  But of course this event happened because of the hard work of many individuals and organizations, so I would like to thank them in the following paragraphs.

First I’d like to thank Paul Gadi, our current chapter head, for giving me the privilege of composing this thank you post.  Though secretly I believe that Paul is even more frightened than me of public speaking and writing, so he’s happy I volunteered.  Paul has worked his butt off these past few weeks, and was even doing some real (read:paid) work right after the jam was finished, even though he was probably exhausted.  The rest of the board : Kristian Mitra, Jay Gavarra, Mark Cabrera, Marnielle Estrada, Julius Cebreros, and also Alvin Chan (though he left to pursue other opportunities before the Jam) worked really hard to make the Game Jam happen so feel free to stalk them on Facebook and thank them for all their hard work.

Our partner iAcademy graciously provided the venue and provided snacks and drinks for the participants, and even provided a shower bus to bring participants to the iAcademy building to freshen up.  Their hardworking staff, including Jem, Dorothy, Chris, Kooky, Jean, Leo, Vlad, Fe, and so many others whose names I’ve forgotten worked hard to do PR and to prepare the facilities and to make sure that everything went as smoothly as it could for our jammers.  My only regret is we forgot to use Mondragon’s disco ball.  We would of course like to thank Vanessa L. Tanco and Chiqui Morales, the President and COO of iAcademy respectively, for greenlighting this partnership.

We’d like to thank longtime partners Boomzap Games for supporting the Jam from the very beginning and believing in our commitment to growing the game development community.  Chris Natsuume and Allan Simonsen of Boomzap not only provided us with a generous sponsorship, but they also had Gabby Dizon and Luna Cruz onsite to be a Judge and a Mentor, respectively. We’d also like to extend our gratitude to our community partners as well, DevCon, and C-Cup Challenge. We’d also like to thank all our other sponsors, including Microsoft, Co.Lab, Jollibee, KFC, Chowking, Pao Pao, McDonalds, Binalot, Robot With a Smile, Globe,  for helping us make this gamejam possible.

At the same time, we would like to thank the media for spreading the word, especially Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, Jam 88.3, Hero TV, Net25, ANCAlerts, GMA Online, and  Yahoo! Philippines.

Last but not least we’d like to thank you, the gamejammers, for giving us your time, sweat, blood and tears and once again making some awesome games.  We provided you with the means to make some terrific games and you paid us back a hundredfold with your enthusiasm and grit.  None of this would have been possible without you.  We hope you all had fun, and that we’ll see you all again next year!

- Ryan Sumo,
Manila Game Jam 2013 Organizer and previous IGDA-Manila Chapter Head

Registration Closed for iAcademy Jam Site

We would like to announce that we are now holding off registration of participants for iAcademy site.

We had an overwhelming number of registered participants this year that we had reached our cap. As much as we would want to accomodate everyone, the jam site and preparations that we had can only accomodate a certain number of people. To those who would still like to join, we highly recommend other official Game Jam sites such as DLS-CSB and CLSU on Central Luzon.

Thank you for everyone’s enthusiasm to join!

Jamming Starts Tomorrow!

One more day before the intense game-making commences! Before we get started on jamming, we’d like to give you guys last minute reminders to prepare you for the event.

Where will I go?

If you haven’t chosen your jam site yet, be reminded that there are three locations available for you. DLS-CSB, Mondragon House c/o iAcademy and CLSU, in the Science City of Munoz Nueva Ecija. Register at once at your favorable location to secure your slot!

Be on the location early! We would be showing you keynotes, and game related videos as we wait for people to come. It would be a great time for you to meet other people and maybe start forming teams!

What do I need to bring?

We are doing our best to prepare everything for you so you can just get started and focus on making your games. However, we can’t provide you with everything so it would be great if you can bring the following for you and your team:

• Extra clothes and toiletries for 2 days ( preferably comfortable ones )
• Jacket / warmers to counter the aircon
• Internet dongles ( in case there are connection issues )
• Sleeping bag
• Extra water, food and snacks for you and your team
• Extension cords / chargers / adapters for your devices.
• Extra money for emergency

When does the event start?

The event starts at 5pm, but it would be great if you can be there earlier. You can check out the schedule for iAcademy and CSB participants here [link]. There would be an on-site registration so being there earlier avoids the rush.

Anything else?

• Prepare your tools / machines if you would be bringing them. Although most sites provide you with workstations, these are limited in number and there is no guarantee that you could get one.
• Make a list of the devices/gadgets that you would want to bring so it would be easier to register them.
• Read tips / advices online! There are a lot of posts, presentations and resources that gives you a heads up on what to expect.

That’s it! If you have any more concerns, you can check out the FAQ page or comment on this post below and we will try to address them.

We can’t wait to see what you guys will come up with this weekend. Let’s make this the best game jam ever! See you tomorrow!

Games Feature: Cursed Steps

If you are already familiar with game development, then taking the challenge a little further by doing a jam on your own might be of interest to you. A few of last year’s participants prefer the road not taken and face the Game Jam challenge solo. This can bring about different results as you can simply be self-managed, but on the downside, your time would be divided on focusing on art, design and code. Do you have what it takes?

Meet one of our veteran participants, Roan Contreras as he shares with us the experience of creating a game on his own!

Tell us something about yourselves and your team.

My name is Roan Contreras and my team is just myself as Toadie (my alias on gaming). I went solo not because I don’t really want to have a team, but because I want to do things on my own since I want to be independent on game development as a college student. I have a website which I haven’t updated for months and months (and it’s really incomplete) and if you guys want to check out: http://roancontreras.zxq.net .

Can you explain your game to us?

My game is Cursed Steps; it’s a short platform game.  What you’ll do in this game is to escape the snake’s cursed vision. This game for me states that, “Every step is a curse…”.

Try the game: http://www.mediafire.com/?81yacsz5eu9spj6

What were the challenges that you faced when making your game?

One challenge I faced on making this game is when the theme was flashed from the projector, which was a picture of a snake eating its tail in circular (for short it’s an Ouroboros). Themes always give me difficulty on how I exhibit the game when it comes to everything I do. Working solo also gave me challenge since I solely manage my own time on working the game.

What are the positive effects that the jam had brought to you?

A positive effect that gave me during the game jam is when I learned to be minimal on the game’s content. Not all games really need to be rich in features, even short and simple ones can do good for game jams. Another positive effect during the game jam is the environment of the venue, I’ve met a lot of new friends and somewhat bond with them during the development of the game since it’s fun socializing with other jammers around (I could say somewhat multitasking, yet no distractions happened during the work of the game…).

Manila Game Jam 2013 is just a couple of months away. What tips can you give to the future participants of the game jam?

For the future participants of the Manila Game Jam 2013, it’s okay to work a game as a one man team but I’m not just saying work in solo right away; there are also risks of working in solo mostly managing the time you work for your game and your  own limitations/skills.  So if you’re really prepared to give yourself a time and taking the risks to work on one game by yourself then go for it. Don’t be overconfident on the event, as I encountered since manila game jam 2012, because it can ruin your momentum until the part when one leads to everything fall apart from working the game then you’ll go back from the start (yet time keeps running). And It doesn’t matter how old you are if you want to participate, the important is if you really want to make a game then let’s JAM!  … Oh yeah, be sociable and friendly too because game jam is not just games, it’s also friends that rocks our world so hard to make the games we make possible (Am I kidding? But as long as you’re not shy at first… I’m not kidding…).

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There you have it! You can also catch Roan on tomorrow’s Game Jam Orientation Seminar on DLS-CSB as he tackles the ins and outs of designing games suitable for a Game Jam. Attend the seminar at 1pm on the Auditorium at DLS-CSB and at Mondragon House along Buendia c/o iAcademy!

This would be the last of the Game Features that we will have that showcases the entries from last year. We can’t wait for the games you will make on MGJ2013! Who knows, you and your team might be the next ones to be featured . MGJ is exacly one week away! See you there!

Important Announcements and Reminders

Manila Game Jam 2013 is less than two weeks away! As the jam day gets nearer, its best to be prepared and be informed. We have a couple of important announcements and reminders for you dear participants.

In order not to disrupt classes and school activities, there has been a change in venue for participants who will be attending the Manila Game Jam 2013 at iAcademy. We will now be jamming at 2nd flr. of Mondragon Bldg., along Buendia!

Mondragon House

View Larger Map

The map shows the directions from iAcademy (Point A) to Mondragon House (Point B).

Not to worry though as this change still assures us of the following:

• Limited number of workstations ( 24 ) will be provided for those who don’t have their own machines.
• Internet connection will be provided c/o our sponsors.
• The new venue is spacious, so teams can work together instead of being separated in rooms.
• Participants can still go to iAcademy and they will be escorted to the new location. However, we strongly advise that you go to Mondragon Bldg. directly to save time.
• You don’t have to worry about food. Meals will be served for participants; Snack stalls and kiosks will be available throughout the event.

Please help spreading the word by telling your friends about this very important change.

Another Venue For The Game Jam Orientation

To give you an idea on what to expect, we have prepared an orientation seminar that gives you guys a heads up on what happens on this 3-day hackathon. Experts, past participants and hobbyists will be there to share their experience and answer your questions.

This year, our partners have been very generous to offer two venues for the seminar! Aside from ARG Theater at DLS-CSB [Facebook Event Link], we will also have the seminar on our new venue at Mondragon House along Buendia c/o iAdademy [Facebook Event Link]. Participants can choose which venue to attend to. Both of them will have the same topics of discussion. The Game Jam Orientation Seminar will be on January 19, 2013, from 1pm to 6pm. The seminar is free and we highly encourage you to attend!

Register Early!

Have you registered yet? Our venues can only handle a limited number of people, so it would be wise to save your slot. We have provided you a step-by-step instructions on how to create your Global Game Jam Account and select a Jam site through our registration page.

See you there!

Every year, the game jam produces excellent games that are driven by passion and fun. We’re very excited to see what games you would make this year as well! See you in two weeks!

Games Feature: Soul Dragon

If you have ever wondered if you would be in a disadvantage if you have not made a game before, fear not. Whether you’re simply a hobbyist, a professional or even a student, you are very much welcome to join as everyone else is put on equal grounds.

Last year, majority of the participants were college students and having very little experience in the field of game development have not hindered them from joining. Meet Team Pink Chicken; a group of college students who braved themselves who took the challenge to take their initial steps into game development.

They will also be speaking during the Game Jam Orientation Seminar on DLSU-CSB at January 19, 2013. We highly encourage everyone to attend! It’s free

Tell us something about yourselves and your team.

Hi everyone, we are team “Pink Chicken”! Our entry during GGJ 2012 was titled “Soul Dragon”. We won Best Unity 3D Game Award and was Third Placer. During GGJ 2012 we we’re in our 2^nd year as Game Design and Development Students of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde and we only had less than 6 months of experience in using Unity 3D. We all belong to the same group during the game pitching session. We decided to stick together, re-evaluate our concepts and finalize the design with respect to everyone’s strength and opinions.

Pink Chicken is composed of the following members:

Jozette Anne Tuquib – Game Designer and GUI Programmer
Niccolo Manahan and Jaryd Alfonso – Programmers
Jasmine Paredes and Gemmariel Raagas – Artists
Kevin Hallare - Sound Engineer

You can play our game here: http://bit.ly/KsBja8

Can you explain your game to us?

Soul Dragon, was designed to comply with the theme “Oroborus”, which means eternal life. Minding the theme and the sample image, our concept revolved in a dragon moving counter-clockwise. The goal of the game is to collect as many good souls and avoid bad ones in order to gain score. The game includes a number of power ups that could add more life to your dragon thus making the gameplay longer, a power up that could diminish your life and lastly a soul that adds more than 5 points to your total score.

What were the challenges that you faced when making your game?

Since we were beginners and new to the challenge, we started planning big things and decided to start with the basic concept and just add the other features if there’s still time. One of our biggest problems was of course, time constraint. We crammed a few features and it was as if the universe was against us, our file wouldn’t upload online. Somehow we managed to beg and pray to the universe and our file was upload successfully.

What are the positive effects that the jam had brought to you?

The positive effects of Game Jam not only to our team but to all our batch mates who also participated was we were able to bond in a totally different way. Since we were all beginners during that time, we alse learned to help one another even if we are competing against each other.  Our team shared a very unforgettable roller coaster ride full of ups and downs that was later paid off by an unexpected victory.

Manila Game Jam 2013 is just a couple of months away. What tips can you give to the future participants of the game jam?

Tips to all jammers this coming GGJ 2013? Start small, due to the time constraint, planning a big project is too risky it might end up being messy and buggy. Sometimes simple is better as long as it’s fun and as long as you had fun. Game Jam is not just a competition it is an opportunity to gain new friends and be part of a bigger family through gaming.

Meet Art Polo Gabriel: CLSU Game Jam Site Organizer

Late last year, we were surprised to see another local Game Jam Site officially registered to participate on the Global Game Jam . Knowing that having another site would always be beneficial; preparation, coordination and setting up the event however is one tedious task. One brave soul had taken the initiative to start their own Jam and spread the Game Jam Spirit at Central Luzon.

Meet Art Polo Gabriel: He’s the Game Jam Organizer for CLSU Jam Site, and he had given us the opportunity to do this short interview.

What inspired you to start your own Game Jam and be part of Global Game Jam?

Well, I ( along w/ my team from artsdigitalmedia.com) have actually been doing some websites, applications and mini 3D games as a hobby. Lately I learned about the Global Game Jam, and I have been wishing to participate and meet the experts and gurus so my team and I can further our skills.

I always missed out GGJ in Manila due to conflict of schedule & the long travel. So I decided to apply for a GGJ location here in CLSU, and was gladly approved.

How did you know / acquire information about the yearly event?

First, I saw a post in some of the game dev blogs and FB. Then I researched about it, and found one of the coolest event on earth – GGJ.

Are you doing this alone or do you have other people helping you organize the event? How many participants are you expecting?

Alone? Nope, I’m just the lead organizer here. There are people & organizations that are also doing some preparations and they are very much excited to participate in this event.
Expected participants will be hobbyists, Artist Club members, and IT Students. Maybe around 30-50, we’re hoping more.

Can you tell us more about CLSU and the game development scene in Central Luzon? 

About CLSU, please see -http://clsu.edu.ph/#p/8/About%20us.
Well, CLSU is actually more on Science & Agricultural Courses. The BSIT was just established around year 2000.
There are no Game Dev Courses here but there are people who are into game dev and doing some.

Have you joined/attended a Game Jam before? 

I haven’t been into any GameJam event, but I have always been as a resource speaker for basic 3d interactive & game development on some areas here in Central & Northern Luzon. Like I said, we always just missed out here, but this time – we will surely be gamejamming with the experts/gurus

What got you started making games?

I like playing games but my brothers defeat me most of the time, so I told them I’ll make a game where they will never beat me up, (though until now I still haven’t done a game where I’m always the winner, hehe) – so I tried learning gamedev. However,  most of the time due time constraints and conflict of sched with my work in web dev, my gameprojects are still kinda in “cooking” mode. In addition, I still need to learn more from the experts.

What are your favorite games and why?

Favorite games? Well, im sort of tied with “Commandos” from EIDOS Interactive till now – its the “pain-in-the-brain” thing that makes me still play it. It’s very hard to play – that’s why I like it.

There you go! We hope that this would be a start of a great game development community in Central Luzon.

If you’re interested to join the Global Game Jam and located near the area, we highly encourage you to join at the CLSU Jam Site! You can find all related information on the jam site location page and register to their location. The event is just a couple of weeks away so start preparing! See you soon!

Games Feature: Neko Neko Nyan Nyan~

When joining a game jam, the most important goal that each participant should aim for is to have a good time. For a short weekend, you’re given a chance to experience something new by being in the shoes of a different game development role. The event does not have restrictions. You decide on what you want to do

This group, even though they were composed of all programmers, managed to come up with a game by taking multiple development roles.

Let’s meet the team that created Neko Neko Nyan Nyan!

Tell us something about yourselves and your team.

Our team was made of four guys, all of us are programmers though. We are colleagues and three of us are thesis mates back in our college days.

Our members are:
John Raymond Cala – Team Lead / Designer / Programmer
Ivan Canilao – Programmer
Patrick Karlo Pamplona – Artist / Programmer
Daniel Vallesteros – Artist / Audio / Programmer

You can find our game here:
GGJ Archive: http://archive.globalgamejam.org/2012/neko-neko-nyan-nyan

Can you explain your game to us?

Our team made a game where the player needs to trap his enemies in an area. By dropping yarn as he walks in circles and makes a shape, the area inside the yarn as well as everything inside the area will be destroyed.

What were the challenges that you faced when making your game?

Just as I mentioned in the first question, all of us were programmers so it was hard for us to make the assets. We also didn’t have a game design and just had a concept before starting and we did not see the problems of the game until we encountered them.

What are the positive effects that the jam had brought to you?

It was an experience that made us realize how hard it is to manage time but with enough experience and preparation, even if a game is big, time wouldn’t be an issue.

Manila Game Jam 2013 is just a couple of months away. What tips can you give to the future participants of the game jam?

Read more about game planning, designing and code patterns so that the 3-day limit won’t hinder in the game development.

Games Feature: Stasis

Manila Game Jam 2013 is just a couple of months away! To kick things off and give you guys a headstart at what the game jam is, we will feature participants from last year, sharing their experience from this two-day game hacakthon.

Here’s team F.L.E.A. from MGJ 2012 with their game STASIS!

Tell us something about yourselves and your team.

Felix Palabrica – Programmer / Designer
Leland Suarez – Programmer / Designer / Artist
Enzo Dayrit – Programmer / Designer / Artist
Alex Sagrado – Artist

We just decided to team up during the event itself except for Leland and Enzo who are college batchmates.

You can find out more about our game through these links:

Tumblr - http://stasis2012.tumblr.com/

GGJ Archive - http://archive.globalgamejam.org/2012/stasis

Can you explain your game to us?

Tower Defense with 4 Modes:

SURVIVAL
Maintain at least one Catalyst in the field for the span of 3 minutes.

EXTERMINATOR
Destroy all Destructors!

UNLEASH THE SHELLS
Convert all Orb Shell to Super Life Orb. Lose one orb shell and you’re screwed.

ORB DEFENDER
Protect the Super Life Orb for three minutes or die!

What were the challenges that you faced when making your game?

The theme this year was a bit difficult so we had a bit of a challenge thinking up of concepts.

Since the team was just formed during the event proper, the synergy between each members needs to be established.

What are the positive effects that the jam had brought to you?

- It was an incredibly fun experience. The people we met were very inspiring and being in such a creative environment gives you a certain high. (Lol drugs)

- As a first timer, it was a fulfilling experience and with this I know what to do for the succeeding game jams (Oh yeah, 2013 is just a month away).
- I learned a lot from my teammates and it helped me to hone my skills and come up with new ideas for game development.

Manila Game Jam 2013 is just a couple of months away. What tips can you give to the future participants of the game jam?

- Don’t be afraid to participate. It’s a once-in-a-year chance where you can spend 2 days being with awesome people, meeting new friends and making games. They practically pay you by setting the stage and all, just so you can have a smashing weekend, so make the most of it!
- Be realistic with your goals for your game. Remember you only have two days to create the game. Make sure that you have a playable game before the time runs out. However, in spite of all the pressure and stress from hours of work, don’t forget to rest and enjoy what you’re doing!

- Learn to designate tasks, utilize the time you have, and trust your teammates.

IGDA Manila Game Jam 2013

TL;DR:

What: IGDA Manila Game Jam 2013

When: Jan 25-27, 2013

Where: #324 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Mondragon Bldg. Salcedo Village Makati City

Summary

Pitch, build, present games within 48 hours. For game developers of all levels — amateur to hobbyist to professional, any discipline — artists, programmers, designers, any platform — except board games.

Orientation Seminar on January 19, 2013

- ARG Theater, De La Salle – College of St. Benilde.

- #324 sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Mondragon Bldg. Salcedo village Makati City c/o iAcademy

Registration Instructions Here

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Fun Version:

Every last weekend of the first month of the new year, tradition dictates that we cram as many artists, designers, programmers and other creative types into one big room and have them create video games out of pure awesome.

This year, we are partnering with iAcademy to bring the game development magic right in the heart of Makati.  We will be jamming at #324 sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Mondragon Bldg. Salcedo Village, the future site of another iAcademy building.

View Larger Map

 

Wow, I’m very interested but, ma’am/sir, I’m just a student and I haven’t really made games before.

It doesn’t matter. Can you draw? Write music? Can you program pixels to appear? Do you have a very deep opinion on how games should be? At least one “yes” to these questions qualifies you as a game jam participant. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of room for people to find other developers who will complement their skills.

I’m a developer at Kamote Dragon Games, Inc., can my super elite team join?

Just don’t skip work. You might run into your bosses there.

You’re free to work with any team you choose. Some take this as an opportunity to bond with office mates. Others want to see what it’s like to work with the folks from the other company.

You can even Rambo it and make a game all on your own.

My game development muscles can’t make it over the weekend but I do enjoy watching other people experience the roller coaster of emotions that comes with making games in a very short time. What can I do to help?

Yes, you can be a volunteer! Responsibilities may include: making sure people play safe and keep them from breaking stuff, memorizing wifi password, and calling the tech guys in case PCs won’t boot.

You’re allowed to playtest their games too, but only if they ask you to.

I’m a game company/development platform/software vendor, and this is the kind of event we would totally sponsor!

It is! Contact Paul at paulgadi[at]gmail.com.