Game Jams
Ongoing coverage on Game Jams.
Latest coverage
Epic AI MegaJam Sparks Backlash Over AI Direction
Epic Games' announcement of its AI MegaJam, which encourages developers to use AI extensively in game creation, has sparked significant backlash from the development community. Critics argue that Epic is misrepresenting the capabilities of AI and disrespecting the established practices of game jams and rapid prototyping. The event, despite initially requiring AI use, now lists it as optional but still promotes AI-assisted development heavily.
23 devs teamed up to make a free game of 'innovative yet questionable volume sliders,' and it feels like…
Volume.art is a free collection of 29 microgames created by 23 developers, all centered around manipulating volume sliders in innovative and humorous ways. The collection features diverse gameplay mechanics inspired by various games and genres, offering a brisk and delightful experience that evokes nostalgia for WarioWare and old Flash games.
Double Fine's first game since being dumped by Xbox will be out in just 2 weeks
Double Fine Productions is releasing its new game, Thank You Bus Driver, in two weeks, marking its first title since being dropped by Xbox. This experimental driving simulator, described as 'Crazy Taxi meets Papers, Please!', will be available on PC via Steam, GOG, and Itch.io on October 14.
"Buying any of our games helps support the studio": Psychonauts studio Double Fine are the latest former Xbox-owned studio to get the rights to their games back
Double Fine Productions, the studio behind Psychonauts, has regained the publishing rights to its games from Microsoft. CEO Tim Schafer confirmed the transfer, stating that sales of their games now directly support the studio. The studio also announced the return of their Amnesia Fortnight game jam, with a Kickstarter launching August 31st to fund the initiative.
YGG Unveils vibecode.game Platform For AI Game Development
Yield Guild Games has launched vibecode.game, a new platform designed to enhance discoverability and community engagement for AI-powered browser games. The platform's debut is marked by the VibeBlitz game jam, a collaboration with Minds by Animoca Brands, offering $5,000 in prizes and running from July 13 to August 10. Animoca Brands also introduced its Game Designer Mind AI tool, which simplifies game concept creation from simple prompts.
Indie devs behind viral fishing game say "AI slop" clones helped promote the real thing
Developers of the viral fishing game Scale the Depths, Glass Gecko Games, have discussed how AI-generated clones, despite being problematic, may have inadvertently promoted their official release. The game, which won a 2024 game jam, faced numerous rip-offs that used its gameplay and even paid for ads. However, the poor quality and ad-heavy nature of the clones led players to seek out the original, contributing to its significant wishlist numbers.
EdenSpark Crowns First Game Jam Winners and Opens the Next Challenge
Gaijin Entertainment has announced the winners of the first EdenSpark Game Jam, a monthly competition for creators using the EdenSpark open development platform. The jam's theme was "Transformation," with "Slime Shape" by teezaboo taking first place in the Dev's Choice category. Gaijin Entertainment has also launched the second game jam with the theme "Mass Control."
EdenSpark unveils monthly game jams with $250,000 total prize pool
Gaijin Entertainment has launched EdenSpark, a new open development platform featuring monthly game jams with a total annual prize pool of $250,000. Participants have 14 days each month to create games using the EdenSpark tools, with opportunities to publish directly to consoles. The initiative aims to empower creators and foster game development without requiring registered companies.
Ubisoft union workers agree settlement, legal advice for game devs, and is Xbox Game Pass too expensive? - Patch Notes #48
Union workers at the shuttered Ubisoft Halifax studio have reached a confidential settlement. Xbox's new gaming chief, Asha Sharma, reportedly believes Xbox Game Pass has become too expensive. Additionally, the article touches on the winding down of Ludum Dare, a potential Fortnite extraction shooter with Disney characters, Roblox's new age-based accounts, Among Us surpassing one billion downloads, legal advice for game developers regarding generative AI and IP, and the upcoming Playdate Season 3.
