This is the first major UK Game Jam aimed at videogame professionals, who will compete in teams onsite to create the best games in a weekend. Teams from major companies and indie devs will compete on a level playing field with the jam’s theme only revealed at the start of the competition.

We will also have a limited number of student teams to give them the opportunity to mix with industry professionals. Participants will have the opportunity to network with other developers, learn new skills and have fun! Think of it as a chance to recharge your creative batteries in a friendly environment.

Event Schedule 

The total jam time is 40 hours

Friday 20th May

19:30 - 20:30 - Registration and Manchester Games Showcase.

20:30 - 21:00 - Theme announcement and Jam begins (starting this late will help people travelling from out of town).

00:00 - Midnight pizza delivery

Saturday 21st May

24hrs - Jam continues onsite. Judges visit teams all day and follow progress of the games

07:00 - 08:30 - Breakfast

10:30 - Mid-morning snacks

13:00 - 14:00 - Lunch

16:00 - Afternoon Tea

18:30 - 20:30 - BBQ

Sunday 22nd May

07:00 - 08:30 - Breakfast

10:30 - Mid-morning snacks

13:00 - Lunch

13:00 - Jam time ends

13:00 - 15:00 - Judges/attendees play all games created 

15:00 - 16:00 - Judges deliberation

16:00 - 17:00 - Awards ceremony

13:00 -18:00 - Closing party including Awards ceremony. (As this is a national event, finishing mid-afternoon helps people who are travelling from out of town)

Parking

We have discounted rates at our nearest main car park The Northern Quarter NCP on Church Street. The postcode for this is M4 1LX.

To obtain discounted parking at the Northern Quarter Church Street car park simply ask for an NCP validation ticket at thestudio reception. When you are ready to exit the car park, simply insert your original parking ticket into the payment machines along with the validation ticket to activate the discount.

Watch this video to see how to get from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station to the venue.

TEXTOCRACY - 07481337424

1) All attendees must register on Devpost.

2) Select one team member to create a project on Devpost. This is where you will submit your final game. Once the project is created, you can add your team mates.

3) You can include a detailed description and each team member can describe how and what they contributed to the game.

4) You can add technology tags, screenshots and links.

• Art & Visual Presentation
  How your game looks, how well it uses colour and composition, how well the visuals blend together and represent the essence of the idea.
• Design & Gameplay
  How well thought out and structured your game is. How mechanically fun it is to play. How well it solves gameplay issues and how each part of the game integrates with the whole.
• Audio Design
  Not just music and sound effects. How well your game uses audio to compliment and enhance the design and art. How does your game feel as a result of the audio.
• Technical Achievement
  Not just complexity or detail but how impressive a creation you have made. Have you created new systems and technology? How would others benefit from the advancement?
• Innovation & Creativity
  Big, new, inspiring and intriguing ideas. Have you done something no one else has? Have you developed something to a new level? How creative have you been with the theme?
• Totally Unreal Award
  Games which use Unreal engine for the Jam. We're looking for interesting and unusual use of the technology. How have you used the power of Unreal to realise your game ideas or allow you to do bigger and better things within the time limit?
• Best Windows VR Game
  An award for games that use Windows VR software/APIs and hardware (so Windows Phone, Oculus, Vive, etc). A great VR game that uses Microsoft tech to achieve it's objectives
• Best Student Team
  At college or university? This is your chance to compete alongside professionals and show what you can do.
• Best Company Team
  Team - Already working for a company? Let's see how impressive your group can be outside of your regular studio or office environment.
• Best Game
  The best overall game experience. Must be the best overall game, something outstanding and impressive. How complete, rounded and strong is the game as a whole.