After the Boob Jam’s great success, TAG is organizing its third game jam this year. This time it is targeting women as well as anyone who feels they haven’t had a chance to make a game (video or board) in a city ruled by industry giants. TAG welcomes everyone, not just women, to join them in November and change the scene of indie game-making.
Why a Girl Game Jam?
Although the number of women game developers is growing, we haven’t yet reached an equal proportion to that of men. It seems many are still intimidated by the atmosphere and have a hard time going to events like jams, where people gather for a short period of time to make small, innovative games. GAMERella was conceived to prove that game jams are the safest, most exciting environments in which to create games. Nothing is wrong; everyone is experimenting; no one is an expert. It is a place to improve skills, try out risky and unconventional design ideas, meet other developers, but above all, have fun. GAMERella offers the opportunity to meet more women (and men who support women) interested in game development. The organizers wish not only to encourage more women and first-time game jammers to join in on the excitement, but also to celebrate the rise in female representation in the game development community.
For those unsure of what skills they might contribute, two workshops involving the use of free or almost-free software will be held at Concordia University in preparation for the event.
Besides gaining valuable experience and meeting industry professionals, participating in GAMERella will also give you the chance to walk away with some awesome prizes and one custom-designed, 3D-printed trophy.
How to sign up?
Sign up with you FULL name and email address here. Choose the ticket that best describes you.
http://gamerella.eventbrite.ca/
What?
The theme is ALCHEMY: Make a game that incorporates this theme in an inventive way.
When?
November 8th – 10th
Begins at 17h00 Friday, ends at 17h00 Sunday
Awards Ceremony to follow
Where?
Concordia University, Engineering and Visual Arts Building
1515 Ste Catherine St. W.,
EV 11.725 Lounge
Important
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN COMPUTER / EQUIPMENT!
Featuring
Food and refreshments, coffee and tea
Power and internet access
3D printer for those board game makers
Chairs and desks (more important than you would think)
Mentors from the gaming industry for informed feedback
Judges & Awards Ceremony
Tentative schedule:
Friday November 8th
17h: Check-in and socializing
18h: Announcement and keynote
18h30: Group formation, work begins
Saturday November 9th
Work, work, work!
Sunday November 10th
9h-15h: Work, work, work!
15h: Update, commit, last-minute debugging.
16h: Deadline. Give yourselves a pat on the back! Judges arrive.
16h30-18h: Judges check out the games; teams remain in place to answer questions.
18h30: Awards Ceremony
GAMERella is affiliated with the Critical Hit Collaboratory. Anyone interested in applying for the 2014 Critical Hit Collaboratory is strongly encouraged to participate in TAG Game Jams like GAMERella.
Sign up here until November 7th: https://gamerella.eventbrite.ca/
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to sign up with a team or can I come alone?
You can sign up with a team already formed, but you can also come solo and join a team while you’re here. We’ll have a team building session for anyone who hasn’t yet found a team. We also ask people who have formed their team before the event to consider adding a first-time jammer to the mix. If you have a team but are missing someone with a particular skill set, don’t worry, you will meet that person at the jam!
How many people per team?
There is no required number, but we suggest you stick to 2 or 3. Anything above 4 or 5 per team is not recommended as it can get a little chaotic. You can also make a game by yourself, if you’re up to the challenge! Join the GAMERella workshops to broaden your skill set.
I have a team and a game idea. Can I start now?
The rules for most game jams are as follows: if the theme is not secret (true in this case–the theme is alchemy), you may begin thinking of how you would like to approach making your game. However, you are not allowed to bring in any existing content. All assets of your game must be original, made from the start of the jam. You may use a pre-existing library, however, and if you do not have a sound person on the team, generally it is okay to include pre-existing sound which you have the rights to use.
I’m not available the whole weekend–can I just come by and check it out?
Yes! Come on by and see what people are up to! But try not to disturb their workflow…
Am I supposed to stay up all night? Can I sleep at my desk?
You are not expected to stay up and work all night! (But you can, if you want to.) In fact, we always recommend that you go home and sleep when you’re tired. Your mind will be clearer and your game will be better. As far as falling asleep at your desk and embossing a keyboard pattern on your cheek: you cannot sleep in the jam area. It is not allowed by Concordia and security will wake you up and may remove you from the space. So bring a pillow for comfort but go home to your comfy bed to sleep.
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TAG is dedicated to fostering a safe-space environment at all events: this means creating a space where all people, of any orientation, gender identity, and race, are respected and accepted. Harassment is not tolerated.
Harassment includes offensive verbal comments — related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, language, or otherwise — sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
If a participant engages in harassing behavior, TAG staff may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from meetups, conferences, and other TAG-run events. No refunds will be offered in the case of expulsion from a paid event.
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact an organizer. Organizers or volunteers will be happy to help participants contact venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the events. We value your attendance.
[Local law enforcement] [Emergency] 911 [local] 514 848-3717 – Dial 1 for urgent situations
[Local sexual assault hot line] 514 398-8500 sacomss.org
[Local emergency and non-emergency medical] 911
[Local taxi company] Taxi Diamond 514 273-6331
Attendance at TAG and Concordia University venues and social events implies that the participants agree to, and will abide by, these rules.
***Note for safe/anonymous reports of harassment***
We believe people should feel safe in reporting issues of harassment and have set up an independently-managed, anonymous, mixed-gender group of ombudspeople who can be contacted to report incidents of harassment, including those involving event organizers and volunteers themselves. Your privacy is of utmost importance and will be protected when contacting our ombudspeople.
They can be reached at: tag.coordinator at concordia.ca
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The text for this policy is adapted from http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Conference_anti-harassment