Earlier this year, Ukie announced its "Raise the Game" pledge to improve diversity and inclusion in the industry, aiming to sign up 200 UK game businesses covering 50% of the country's games workforce by 2021.
To support the push for equality, diversity and inclusion further, Ukie and a number of #raisethegame Pledge Partners are collaborating to deliver a #raisethegamejam for students across the UK in November.
Teams of up to six students from across the country will be set the task of making the best game possible, with groups scoring better by adhering to #raisethegame guidance on incorporating equality, inclusion and diversity into their games.
Each team will receive an industry mentor who has volunteered to guide them through the process. These mentors will be available at various times throughout the day online or via phone, with extra emphasis placed on helping teams meet the #raisethegame theme. Ukie’s bi-annual student game jam draws from a pool of 3,000 students from 40 different institutions across the UK. Last year had 65 teams comprised of 380 students
This years event is sponsored by Hi-Rez, Epic Games, YRS TRULY, Milky Tea Studios and Dead Good PR.
Read our remote working guide for tips to stay safe and in contact during the jam!
Registration:
If you would like to register a team for the #raisethegamejam then please do so here. Deadline 5:30pm, 6th November.
You will also need to register for a free account on itch.io and sign up to the game jam here. This is where the you game will need to be submitted.
When: Wednesday, November 18 - Thursday, November 19
The game jam takes place over two days to allow students to take a break. It is encouraged that students take time off in the evening of the 18th to get food, chill out, some sleep and start again in the morning of the 19th.
Where: Remote
Anywhere they’re able to work as a team and create their game. If you’re struggling to find a way to get your team together, please speak to your course leader or mentor. We appreciate the COVID-19 crisis is imposing restrictions on groups meeting, so we urge you to be conscious of the Government's rules for the safety of yours and others.
Theme: Diversity and Inclusivity
Judging Criteria:
- Concept – How well does it match the theme?
- Creativity - How creative and unique is the game?
- Playability - Is it fun and challenging enough to play?
- Visual impression - Does the art style suit the game?
- Narrative - Does the game's story work and flow?
- Replayability - Is it compelling and does it have high replay value?
- Soundtrack - Does the audio fit the game?
More on the theme:
Over 2.5 billion people - of all ages, of all backgrounds, all around the world - play video games in some shape or form. Games are increasingly a defining way for how people interact with the world, where digitally connected global communities of millions are joined by their common passion for playing games.
The #raisethegamejam theme has a particular focus on the 3rd Pledge Pillar:
Pledge Point 3: Reflecting greater diversity in our work: By striving for this in everything we do, from game design and development, through to marketing and other support services.
Find out more about this on the Raise the Game website here.
Submissions:
Firstly, you will need to register for a free account on itch.io and sign up to the game jam here.
All games need to be submitted by 5pm on November 19th at the very latest - please email Leon if you are having difficulty.
- Games must be submitted via itch.io on the #raisethegamejam page here by 5pm on the 19th November. If you are having issues, then please contact Leon@Ukie.org.uk.
- Please also upload a gameplay footage video of your game to YouTube and send the link to Leon@Ukie.org.uk. (Check out last years videos here for examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeO2Q4xJ_Lk
- Please also submit a short paragraph about why you created the game you did to Leon@Ukie.org.uk.
Social:
Tweet your progress throughout the game jam to @UkieStudents using the hashtags #raisethegamejam.
Winners Announced:
Monday, November 30th via press release, social media, and email.
Awards up for grabs:
All awards are sponsored by Ukie member YRS TRULY
- First Place Award - (Winning team!)
- 'Mentor of the Planet' Award (given to the best mentor – voted for by the teams)
- Social Champions Award (given to the team that drives most engagement on twitter)
Prizes up for grabs:
First Place Prizes
- DiRT Rally 2.0 Game of the Year - Digital codes (sponsored by Codemasters)
- F1 2020 - Digital codes (sponsored by Codemasters)
- DIRT 5 - Digital codes (sponsored by Codemasters)
- Get Packed - Google Stadia - Digital Codes (sponsored by Coatsink)
- Cake Bash - Steam - Digital codes (sponsored by Coatsink)
- PHOGS! - Steam (Post-launch) - Digital codes (sponsored by Coatsink)
- SMITE God Pack - Digital codes (sponsored by Hi-Rez Studios)
- Paladins Champions Pack - Digital codes (sponsored by Hi-Rez Studios)
- Rogue Company Standard Edition Founders Pack - Digital codes (Sponsored by Hi-Rez Studios)
- HyperBrawl Tournament - Digital codes (sponsored by Milky Tea Studios)
- Tickets to visit the National Video Game Museum (sponsored by the BGI)
- 1-1 CV/Portfolio review for winning team members (sponsored by Aardvark Swift)
- £200 worth of swag/merch from Netspeak Games
- More prizes TBA
Social Champions Prize
- Fire Tablet for each team member (sponsored by Dead Good PR)
Judges:
Alexandre Grimonpont, Brand Director, Beard Games
Emma Hall, Lead Content Developer, Jagex
James Crowther, Lead Content Developer, Jagex
MJ Widomska, Founder and Creative Director, YRS TRULY
Rules:
- Students must be registered to a team to take part
- Work can only commence at 9:30am on the 18th and finish at 3:30pm on the 19th November
- Students can use any game engine they choose to create their game
- Students must make lecturer(s) aware that they have entered the game jam
- Students must let their lecturer(s) know where they’re intending to make the game
- Only students registered and submitted as a part of the team can take part
- Games must be submitted via itch.io on the #raisethegamejam page here by 5pm on the 19th November. If you are having issues, then please contact Leon@Ukie.org.uk.
- Enjoy yourselves!
For any questions please contact Leon.