Kuwait Game Jam 2018

Kuwait Game Jam
6th of September – 8th of September
Niu, Kuwait City

What is Kuwait Game Jam?

It’s a hack-a-thon-ish event where we spend the weekend making video games following a theme that will only be revealed during the event. However, it is NOT about coming with a video game idea wanting to find skilled people to fulfil.

Who is it for?

Game designers, programmers, artists, 3D modeller, musicians, story writers, Superman, Batman, the creepy-looking guy in that corner! Everyone! As long as you’re interested in making video games with a team of strangers! And since you’re reading this, most likely you too!

What’s the schedule like?

Thursday (17:30 to 00:00)

• 17:30 to 18:30 – Check in
• 18:30 – Introductionary speech, rules and regulations, theme reveal
• 19:00 – Brainstorming break
• 20:00 – Ideas pitching, teams formation, and teams and members registration online

Friday (14:00 to 00:00)

• 14:00 – Venue’s opening
• 20:30 – Deadline for teams registration and members assignment

Saturday (10:00 to 22:00)

• 10:00 – Venue’s opening
• 20:30 – Deadline for games submission
• 21:00 – Games presentations and demos

Where’s the event happening?

This wouldn’t have happened without NIU’s generosity to allow us to host this event:

What skills do I need to participate?

This event is not meant for professionals. But if you are, it’ll be a wonderful addition, but it’s not necessary.

There are many roles you can play in game development; a programmer, artist, modeller, game designer, musician, sound engineer, storyteller, that creepy-looking guy again, they’re just a lot! If you don’t know where you’d fit, don’t worry, you can try to fill in a role you never tried before. Who knows, it might work for you (Speaking from previous events, it happened twice!)

That being said, it’ll help a lot having the skills to utilize. You don’t have to be super good at them, just good enough is good enough.

You don’t have to be a super duper programmer, knowing C# and Java, for example, will be enough to know how to use Unity (Don’t worry, we’ll give you a hand!)

You don’t have to be a super duper artist. Believe me, you can do wonders with stick figures! Knowing how to trim pictures and resizing them in GIMP or Paint is so useful too!

You don’t have to be Beethoven or Van Halen. If you know how to do basic 8bit music or just trim and adjust sound effects, you’re good to go as that audio guy!

You don’t have to be Shakespeare to write a good story. Having a good idea and basic writing should be enough for a good and fun game made in a weekend!

See the pattern there? You don’t have to be super duper skilled and good at your skills. You might even discover a new hobby\skill you didn’t know you had before!

Am I limited to a set of software?

Not at all! You can use whatever software or tool you’re familiar with. However, please make sure that you have the appropriate rights to use these tools.

Here’s a list of software you could start with:

• Game engines:
  • Unity3D
  • Unreal Engine
  • CryEngine
  • Game Salad
  • Game Maker Studio
  • RPG Maker
  • Godot
• Graphics programs:
  • Blender
  • GIMP
• Audio programs:
  • Audacity
  • BFXR

Can I use projects made before?

No, you can’t. One of this event’s purposes of this event is to make new video games following a specific theme. You can, however, use snippets and scripts that covers functions, not pre-made projects to be adjusted.

Do I have to bring my team?

Not at all! In fact, you’re encouraged not to arrive as a team to join a team of strangers. This event is to collaborate and build networks with people who want to make video games! So, no, you don’t have to form a team before joining.

Are there any special rules?

Of course there are, and here’s a list of rules in total:

• Participants must be in Kuwait.
• Participants must be physically in venue.
• Participants must not use premade projects.
• Participants may use premade scripts, snippits, and assets. However, participants must check with copyrights compatibilities.
• Participants have all the rights for their projects. However, Kuwait Game Jam has the right to market and advertise submitted projects.
• Teams must be formed in first day of event, after ideas pitching.
• Team members can change teams until second day, 20:00 (8pm).
• A team can have three members at max.
• Participants who can’t find a team will either team together, forced to enter other teams, or have their registration revoked.
• All games must follow Kuwait Game Jam’s theme.
• The theme will only be revealed as scheduled.
• Organizers have the right to dey participants from participating in order to protect the event’s success.
• Organizers have the right to reject games and projects ideas to protect the event’s success.
• Organizers have the right to ban participants if they believe thier participation is threatening the event’s success.

I have so may questions to ask, what do I do?

You can easily contact me by sending me an email: webmaster at q8geeks dot org.
Or, you can reach me on Facebook/Instagram/SnapChat/Twitter at: @Q8GEEK

Register here [link].