#CBJAM 22 Recap

Theme Adherence

The adherence to the theme played a significant role in the voting process for the Game Jam. Joe Zack observed that games not closely following the theme tended to receive lower scores, despite the theme being optional. This pattern led to discussions about potentially adding a specific category for theme adherence in future events to ensure fairer evaluations 1. Michael Outlaw shared his perspective, noting that some submissions seemed unrelated to the theme, which could confuse voters and affect scores 1. Alan Underwood agreed, emphasizing the importance of consistency in theme adherence for a more cohesive competition 1.

I think next year, we'll just have a separate category for it. And that way, you know, if you want to make a game that you have an idea and it doesn't fit with the theme, just do it. And, you know, hopefully, people won't kind of take it out on you and your other scores.

--- Joe Zack

This approach aims to balance creativity with thematic consistency, enhancing the overall experience for participants and voters alike.

   

Creative Interpretations

The Game Jam showcased numerous creative interpretations of the theme, highlighting the ingenuity of the developers. Joe Zack described a standout game, "What am I supposed to do?", where players indirectly control a character by placing items in its path to help it escape a pursuing threat 2. This innovative gameplay required quick thinking and precise actions, making it both a puzzle and an action game. Alan Underwood shared his enjoyment of "Missile vs. Tank," a game where he experimented with the mechanics to see how long he could evade the missile without engaging in the primary objective 3.

You had to pay attention to, like, what things were in, like, what spot or, you know, because you had these, like, three slots for the things. But, like, you know, from one attempt to the game to the next attempt, they weren't always in the same position.

--- Michael Outlaw

These creative approaches not only entertained but also challenged players to think outside the box, showcasing the diverse potential of game design.