Nashville Game Developers Global Game Jam 2020

Come make a game over the weekend!

Each year, the Global Game Jam organization gives a keynote and issues a theme for hundreds of locations across the globe to take part in. Participants form teams and work together to create their own games inspired by the theme. At the end, we all gather in one room to present our games on stage. Friendships are forged, collaborations are fostered, and games are made!

We also ask that you register on the Global Game Jam website and then join our jam site. Note that we use Eventbrite for verifying attendees, while the Global Game Jam site is for uploading games.

Schedule

Friday, January 31

• 6:00 PM - Doors open. Eat pizza and network.
  
• 7:00 PM - GGJ keynote, local announcements, theme announcement!
  
• 7:45 PM - Volunteer to share ideas with the group.
• 8:15 PM - Network, form teams, get started!
• Midnight - Doors close for the evening.
  

Saturday, February 1

• 8:00 AM - Doors open again. Light breakfast provided.
• 12:00 PM - Game name should be decided and team/game registered on the GGJ website.
• 12:01 PM - Keep on jamming!
• Midnight - Doors close for the evening.
  

Sunday, February 2

• 8:00 AM - Doors open again. Light breakfast provided.
• 3:00 PM - GAME SHOULD BE DONE AND SUBMITTED TO THE GGJ SITE!
• 4:00 PM - Presentations of all your hard work!

FAQs

Where can I park?

Parking is available in the Highland Ave. parking garage right across from our event venue, the Wond'ry. Make sure you enter the garage via Highland Ave. We are allowed to park on the 3rd floor and above for free. Don't park below the 3rd floor or other Vanderbilt lots or garages! If you have any questions when you arrive, please ask an organizer.

What should I bring?

Anything you need to work on a game: computers (desktops are fine), audio equipment, drawing tablets, paper, pencils, or even board game supplies if you want to make an analog games.

What if I don't know anyone? Will I be able to find a team?

That's fine—plenty of people show up each year not knowing anyone, but they almost always leave with new friends and fond memories!

At the very start, there will be time to get to know your fellow jammers over pizza. Then, after we've watched the opening keynote and heard the theme announcement, everyone will be asked to brainstorm ideas with those around them. Once a few minutes have passed, everyone will then be asked to find people they don't know to brainstorm with. After we're done brainstorming, anyone looking to start a team can come on stage, present their idea, and lay out what work needs to be done to make their idea a reality. You can then go and talk to anyone with an idea that caught your attention, or go talk to anyone you've already met, or continue to meet people until you find a team!

What skills do I need in order to participate?

Everyone of any skill level is welcome! There's bound to be something you can do to help make a game. And you don't even have to make a video game; analog games (board and card games) are welcome as well.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian at all times. We may ask to see an ID to verify your age.

Sponsor or Donate

We make these events free to participate in because we want as many people to be able to take part as possible. However, they're pretty costly to run. We've set up a GoFundMe page so it's easy for anyone to make a donation or sponsor the event. Every bit helps!

Donate or Sponsor to the 2020 Global Game Jam in Nashville!

Check out our games from past years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Nashville Game Developers on our Facebook group.