It's time for a Spooky Game Jam! MIDWEST STYLE!

Game Developers of all abilities across the entire Midwest will gather online via Twitch, Discord, & itch.io to produce their own original games inspired by a to-be-announced Spooky theme. 

The event will begin with a brief video introduction at 7pm CST on Friday, October 23rd. Participants are invited to tune into Twitch and learn the rules of the Jam and the Jam theme. They will then have the weekend to create and collaborate with other participants remotely via the Jam Discord. Mentors will be available in shifts to offer guidance and help for a variety of creative disciplines.

On Sunday October 25th at 3pm CST, participants will submit their completed work by to the Jam itch.io page. Afterwards, the Jam organizers will provide feedback to Jam participants.

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Thanks to our partners: the IGDA Midwest Chapters!

IGDA - Illinois - Chicago

IGDA - Iowa - Des Moines

IGDA - Michigan - Ann Arbor

IGDA - Michigan - Detroit

IGDA - Minnesota - Twin Cities

IGDA - Missouri - Kansas City

IGDA - Ohio - Cincinnati

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IGDA Chicago is dedicated to providing an inclusive, welcoming, and harassment-free experience for everyone. Our Anti-Harassment policy can be found at: http://igdachicago.com/code-of-conduct/

GDEX 2020 is going Virtual with GDEX TV, a weekend long celebration of Gaming Culture, Game Development, and Indie Games. Join us October 9-11 for a weekend of networking events, streams, game showcases and much more!

This year we're teaming up with DePaul's Global Game Jam site to give you a weekened of jammin’, creatin’, and playin’! 

If you've ever had interest in making your own game, this is the event for you. This is a weekend long event, beginning on Friday at 6PM in CDM, room 400. There will be access to other rooms and work spaces. Access to any other floors not being used for the jam during this time is strictly off limits. Check below for a brief schedule of events for the entire weekend. If you are not a DePaul Student please bring your own equipment. DePaul Students, there is limited equipment and it is first come first serve

Friday, Jan. 31st

6PM - Event begins, check in/registration in CDM 400 followed by a prep talk from Susan Gold (one of the FOUNDERS of Global Game Jam) and announcement of the game jam's theme, formation of game jam teams will also be done around this time

7:30PM-11PM - Teams will have the remaining time after announcements to formulate their game ideas. Afterwards, spend the rest of the night at DePaul if you wish working on your game and get a head start on the competition.

Saturday, Feb. 1st

8AM - CDM building opens, teams will have all day to work on their games. 

This year we will have the building reserved for one night, so we can have teams stay overnight in the CDM Building for Saturday only. Once the building closes at 6pm, no one is allowed entry nor reentry back into the building. If you wish to leave the building at any time, you can do so (but please let your team and the site organizers know before hand!)

Hang out with us all night, or get home to get some sleep and come back when the building opens on Sunday at 12pm . Coordinate with your teams beforehand on what time you'll all meet again on Sunday. 

Sunday, Feb. 2nd

Continue working on games from the day before, resting or going home if needed.

12:00PM - All games must be submitted by this time

1PM - Judging of games begins (will be more like a critique panel) 

2PM (approx.) - Game Jam ends

Food Agenda details will come soon. There are some meals provided.

More Information:

Entrance Fee: None

Hours: Friday: Start - 11pm Saturday - Sunday 24 hours

Who Can Participate: Anyone

Age Restrictions: 18+ only

Food Options: Meals provided on site.

Available Tools or Technology: Power outlets

It's time for a Spooky Game Jam once again!

Supporters of diversity in technology, come celebrate a spooky game jam with IGDA Chicago, Sugar Gamers, and The Voxel Collective! 

Game Developers of all abilities in the greater Chicago area will gather at Ignite Gaming Lounge - Skokie to produce their own original games inspired by a to-be-announced theme. 

The event will begin with a brief orientation at 7pm on Friday evening. Participants are invited to jam at Ignite Gaming Lounge - Skokie until the facility closes Friday night. Participants can then jam from home/remotely on Saturday, as we will not have access to Ignite's event space during that time. On Sunday, participants are invited to return to Ignite to complete their work, submit their games to our itch.io page, and present their games to the group for feedback. 

For the latest event updates and discussion, check out our Facebook event page here.

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Schedule: (Subject to Change)

Friday at Ignite
Friday 6-7pm  - Check-in and Setup
Friday 7-7:30pm - Orientation & Explanation of Jam Rules
Friday 7:30pm-3am - Jamming

Saturday - Work from home

Sunday at Ignite
Sunday 12:00pm-3pm Jamming
Sunday 2-3pm - Branding Workshop with Jamie Sanchez
Sunday 3-4:30pm Game uploads and playtesting
Sunday 4:30 - 5:30pm Game presentations 

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What to Expect and What to Bring

Ignite Gaming Lounge is a HUGE space dedicated to all things gaming. There are VR lounges, rhythm game recording studios, and rows and rows of gaming pcs running everything from kart racers to competitive esports titles. There is also a full kitchen and bar! It is loud, crazy, and fun!

We will have a private space to work adjacent to the main game floor. You should bring whatever you need to design and build a game from start to finish. We HIGHLY recommend bringing a laptop with all your software pre-installed. Headphones, especially noise cancelling ones, are also recommended. We have plenty of power and internet connections. There is food and drink available on site for purchase while you're jamming. 

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Transportation:

Ignite Gaming Lounge is conveniently located at 8125 Skokie Blvd · Skokie, IL across the street from the Oakton-Skokie Yellow Line CTA Stop. From there riders can connect to Red and Purple Line trains and several bus lines.

-IMPORTANT - THE LAST TRAIN FRIDAY NIGHT DEPARTS AT 11:22PM- 

A full schedule of Yellow Line trains is available here so plan accordingly. If you miss the last train you will have to rely on rideshare, taxis, or other transportation to reach your final destination. 

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Thanks to our partners the Sugar Gamers and The Voxel Collective for helping us bring you this event. 

Sugar Gamers specializes in tech advocacy and inclusivity in gaming, geek and tech spaces. Founded as a community for female gamers, Sugar Gamers has evolved into a diverse group of trendsetters and aficionados within the worlds of technology, gaming, and the arts. Sugar Gamers was founded in 2009 when Keisha Howard went on a quest to find other women with geeky interests and ideas similar to her own. After developing a community for gals like her, Keisha found that Sugar Gamers appealed to underrepresented geeks and gamers from all walks of life.

The Voxel Collective is a Chicago-based organization fostering gender diversity in the video games industry. We’re creating positive change through a variety of events, workshops, and advocacy programs. Join us and other like-minded friends for networking, panels, game jams, and more!

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Special Thanks to Ignite Gaming Lounge, our gracious host for this event.

Ignite is Chicagoland’s premiere gaming experience. With locations in Chicago and Skokie, Ignite is the perfect place to game, eat, and drink with old friends while playing the newest games. Both locations feature the latest gaming technologies and extensive collections of the newest games. Plus, visitors have access to high quality food and drinks, delivered right to their seats.

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IGDA Chicago is dedicated to providing an inclusive, welcoming, and harassment-free experience for everyone. Our Anti-Harassment policy can be found at: http://igdachicago.com/code-of-conduct/