Dr. Mike ReddyHosting a Game Jam, but don't want to include Board Games? Go Directly to FAIL. Do NOT collect $200!

Like Susan Gold, GGJ Founder, I took part in organising the first Global Game Jam, with no clue if it would work. It was a leap of faith. Many (most?) of the students thought "There is no way we are going to get a game made in 48 hours!" but came along anyway, because there was at least a thousand others around the World willing to take the same risk of failure. And, without exception, they all succeeded; surpassing their own expectations.

Sadly though, there were some (many?) who didn't come, who didn't try, who didn't roll the dice to see where they ended up. Some weren't good with computers yet. Some weren't good with video game design. Some weren't good with people. The latest addition to the GGJ - analogue or board games - is for them. And it's for you too!

Board/card/counter games pre-date video games by over 6000 years. They need no batteries or power sockets. They still run on original hardware without emulation! They can be single or multiplayer, with no tiresome tutorial levels or getting stuck, not knowing what to click. They can be fast-paced, real-time, or contemplative and turn-based, competitive or collaborative, creative or as smashingly destructive as you would wish. They are pleasingly physical, yet able to capture the essential features of abstract game design.

Did you know that even FPS game designs have been tested using paper-based prototypes? Almost all the iconic video games of the last 40 years were designed on paper first. Brenda Brathwaite, a World-renowned game designer, has even pushed the boundaries of games as art with board games such as Train. Ian Livingstone? Board Games. All the cool game designers are doing it. All it takes is paper, glue, scissors and some pens.

What's cool about board games for the GGJ? Well, first off any bugs are people bugs. You can talk through the error, and that itself can solve the problem. Making games by playing them. No waiting to compile! No crashes or backups. No programming gurus necessary. Any room with tables and chairs will do. Bringing along as many games as you are able to can provide something to spark off ideas, or at least something to do in the breaks. A first draft prototype can be ready to test in 15 minutes. The computer people will have only just booted their PCs by then.

To briefly recap:
1) People
2) Space
3) Paper/Card/Glue/Pens
4) Patience

Take a CHANCE! if you have questions, just ask infoglobalgamejam [dot] org. It may not be a COMMUNITY CHEST, but it is a community that wants you to Pass GO!

Dr. Mike Reddy
GGJ Newport