Indie Game Jam

The Indie Game Jam (IGJ) is an effort to rapidly prototype video game designs and inject new ideas into the game industry. Started in 2002 by a group of game designer-programmers, the event features a shared game engine technology worked on by other designer-programmers for a single long weekend. The games resulting from that weekend are then published, open-source, on the IGJ web page.

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Overview

IGJ is an important event for indie game developers that allows them to develop and present ideas without publisher restrictions.[1] Hosted in Oakland, California just before the Game Developers Conference, the IGJ runs on sponsorship and donations.

IGJ is known for innovation and rapid prototyping of new gameplay ideas. After third IGJ, Doug Church comments "[..] it's kinda true that nothing works, but you just throw everyone into the middle of the fire and things come out."[2] He comments that small experiments can lead to big developments in the field.[3] He also notes that while IGJ may not itself revolutionize the mainstream video game industry, but may inspire individuals to innovate.[4] Justin Hall explains that "roots of electronic entertainment life [lie in such] collaborations".[5]

Numerous well known indie developers and other game industry figures have participated, including Jonathan Blow, Doug Church, Chaim Gingold, Justin Hall, Chris Hecker, Austin Grossman, Marc LeBlanc, and Randy Smith.

The IGJ was considered an inspiration for later game jams including the Nordic Game Jam and the Global Game Jam.

Yearly Game Jams

Each year, Indie Game Jam poses different questions about innovation of new settings, genres, and controls.[6]

References

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External links