Press Start 2016 FAQ

Hi there! Thank you for taking an interest in our event, Press Start!

Let’s begin with the basics, what is Press Start?

Press Start Sign Up: https://goo.gl/forms/0nVYyBX4Sl9g46Dn2

Press Start is a game jam hosted by UWF’s Game Development Club (G.D.C.) in collaboration with UWF’s Mixed Arts Sights and Sounds (M.A.S.S.) and Video Game Alliance (V.G.A.) clubs.

The Facts

• You must be an active UWF student OR an UWF alumni to participate in Press Start
• No prior video game developing experience is required. We will teach you the necessary skills to fulfill your vision.
• There will be lots of pizza and soda. Lots.
• The event takes place on Labor day Weekend, from Saturday September the 3rd at 10:00 A.M. to Sunday September the 4th at 5:00 P.M.
• We can set you up with a computer and the software you might need.
• You are encouraged to form teams at the event but are not required to be on any team.
• Everyone must have fun. No exceptions.

Time Table

Participant Arrival Time	10:00 A.M. Saturday
Team Building Time	10:00 - 11:30 A.M. Saturday
Competition Rules Review and Final Announcements	11:30 - 11:59 A.M. Saturday
Competition Start!	12:00 P.M. Saturday
First wave of Pizza	1:00 P.M. Saturday
Second wave of Pizza	9:00 P.M. Saturday
Third wave of Pizza	11:30 A.M. Sunday
Competition End	12:00 P.M. Sunday
Video Game Showcase & Vote	12:00 - 1:30 P.M. Sunday
Top 2 Final Presentation & Vote	1:45 - 2:15 P.M. Sunday
Award Ceremony / After Party	2:30 - 5:00 P.M. Sunday

Okay so, what is a “game jam” then?

Glad you asked. A game jam is a gathering of game developers for the purpose of planning, designing, and creating a video game in a very short span of time (in this case, 24 hours.) At our game jam, Press Start, participants will have the opportunity to join forces on teams and develop a videogame that best suites their skills and interest.

That’s cool, but I don’t know anything about video game development… :(

Chin up partner, you don’t need any! Making a video game, however basic or complicated you want it to be, is very simple. We here at the G.D.C. will be supervising the event and providing helpful tips and learning resources for those who need it. If you’re willing to learn, then we are willing to teach you. So don’t worry about it! We’ll help you along, even if it means starting at the basics.

You mentioned forming teams. What’s that about?

Right! At Press Start, you will have ample time to form teams with the other participants. If you and a friend sign up together and want be on a team, then that’s perfect! Just keep in mind that a team can be no bigger than 5 people. Also keep in mind that you don’t have to be on a team if you don’t want to. Just know that you will more than likely be at a disadvantage if you don’t work with someone else. If you are having trouble making new friends, we the staff can help you find a team for you.

I don’t need help making friends.

Okay, okay, just wanted to make things clear. By the way, did I mention there was going to be pizza?

What?

Yes. Pizza. And lots of sodas and chips.

Go on…

Press Start is a 24 hour event, which means we will have the computer labs open for that entire time and have staff on hand to offer any technical or artistic advice. So for those 24 hours, we’re going to have a food table open to all participants who want to fuel up before going back to their game developing. Please note that no food or drink will be allowed back into the labs. Please finish your meals outside the labs!

I like pizza.

Me too, buddy.

So how does Press Start work exactly? It’s a video game making competition right?

Indeed. Before the event, the teams will be formed and rules explained. We can go over the basic layout of the event. For 24 hours, teams will work together and make a playable video game that conforms to a given theme or themes, which will be announced later or at the start of the competition. Everyone must turn in what they have at the end of the 24 hour development window, so be sure to test your game enough to know that it is at least playable. All participants will be given some time to go around the labs and playing the games that were created by you guys. Once everyone has had a good play of each game, a popular vote will be held to determine the two best games. The two teams with the highest rated games will then square off in a presentation showdown, with each team trying to explain what went on in the making of their game and how it plays. The idea is to “sell” your game to the audience, being the other participants. Another vote is held to determine the Best of Show, with the other team being the Runner Up.

Sounds simple enough. What are the prizes?

Uh… pardon?

Prizes. You know, what do I get if my team wins?

It’s a secret.

>:(

Well… what I can tell you is that you will get a few things upon arriving to the competition. We want to make sure you guys are supplied for the event, so we will be providing a note pad and pen for you to use in your planning, sketching, note taking, and etc. We also have many talented artist and modelers in G.D.C. who are awesome enough to provide poster and badges you all to take home after the competition.

Fine.

I’m glad we understand each other.

So do I need to stay at the computer lab for the whole event?

Of course not! You are free to come and go as you please. We will have the labs available just for you guys for the entire event time, so you will always have the equipment and software needed to build your games. How long you spend at the labs is between you and your teammates. We do recommend getting as much developing time in as possible, hence why we have all that pizza and soda.

Cool. Can I bring in my own laptop and software? Or work somewhere else?

Yes! Feel free to use your own computers and software. You are also free to use things you find on the internet, such as music, model, or templates. But only if you have permission to use them, so no copyrighted materials. Also, you MUST disclose what you borrowed and what you personally had made during the video game showcase at the end of the development time. This is to show the other participants what you are capable of making, and what you needed to borrow or create to do it. So please keep that in mind before using things you or your team did not create yourself. Flat out plagiarism, as in a word-for-word copy of another game, will be an automatic disqualification. Also, if you and your team want to work somewhere else, then that’s absolutely fine, the rules for the competition still apply and you must have your playable game turned in on time.

Who’s going to be at the event?

We have room for 30 UWF students in total. You must be an active UWF student, taking classes and everything of that sort, (or an alumni) in order to sign up for the event. If you sign up for the event, keep in mind it that takes place over Labor Day weekend and you would want to spend as much time working as possible. Please don’t sign up only to quit after a couple hours, it hurts our feelings and those of your team mates.

If I have questions before the event, who can I talk to?

Please feel free to email us at uwfgamedev@gmail.com with any questions you might have. We love hearing from other people about our competition.

Alright, cool stuff. I might just sign up.

Please do! We don’t know how fast the 30 slots are going to fill, but please don’t feel pressured into signing up early. We want you to be prepared and committed before signing up.