Technologies Allowed

You are allowed to use whatever technology you want. We have no restrictions. i.e. Flash, Unity, XNA, Game Maker, Unreal Development Kit, iPhone Cocos2d. You are encouraged to use whatever code and libararies you've already developed. You should arrive with tedious infrastructure code already built (menu system, titles, fonts, keyboard & mouse inputs).

Given the absurd deadline, you'll need all the help you can get.

Your completed game no longer needs to run on Windows. It can run on any system you like. i.e. iPhone, Nintendo DS, MAC, Linux, iPad, Droid, Wii. As long as it's a videogame, we're happy. Keep in mind that ignoring Windows means most people will be unable to download and play your game, and we may not be able to show it at the TOJam Arcade. But you knew there were risks...


What's the catch?

Catch 1	You have to report what technologies were used in the creation of your 3-day game - including what libraries you used (home grown or otherwise). This information will be posted on the web site along with your game. It's only fair. That way, people understand why your Assembly language Breakout clone is an achievement, while the Unity Mario Galaxy clone is not.
Catch 2	You can't bring a pre-existing game. While we allow all technology and helper libraries, and want people to arrive with infrastructure code already built, the game itself must be started from scratch.
Catch 3	No mods. Perhaps in a future TOJam. Games created with the Unreal Development Kit (UDK) are fine, so long as they run standalone.

Advice

There are a number of technologies you are no doubt thinking of making use of at the Jam. Be sure you know what you're getting into!

Some things you do NOT want to do:

• Do not be ambitious. Choose a SMALL game. Don't think WarioWare - think 1 game in WarioWare.
• Do not choose a library which is lacking a key component for your game (i.e. graphics). Don't use just OpenGL as that will only give you graphics. What about sound, physics, image loading, etc. You must consider all these things.
• Do not write infrastructure at the jam. i.e. menuing system, image/texture loading library. Build it beforehand.

Some things you DO want to do:

• Choose a language and libraries you already know very well. Do not lean a new language at the event - there simply isn't enough time.
• Play games created at previous TOJams (not to mention other Jams) to get a clear idea of what's possible in 3 days.
• Ensure your artists/musicians/floaters have something to work on immediately i.e. Title screen or music

Recommendations

Not sure what to use? Dare we suggest...

Flash	Flash is amazing. A wide reach and no distribution problems. Plus, if you don't require the Flash IDE, and can live with the replacements, development is free. If you've never used Flash before, it will take time to learn the design environment and actionscript nuances. Once you're passed that hurdle, it's a great environment for creating games. Plus, you'll have few distribution issues, and get the MAC version for FREE. In 2008, 8 (of 28) games were created using XNA: Urban Tactics, Super Defender Robo, Tinkers, Killer Coding Ninja Monkey, Space Goat, Two By Two, Dance and Crack, Trishade:Aduro
XNA	XNA 1.0 was released early 2007 and was very, very good. Scarily, XNA 2.0 is even better (features networking and easy voice support). Throw in the VStudio IDE, C#, and XBOX 360 compatibility, and you have a killer game programming package. Added bonus, all of that is FREE. In 2008, 5 (of 28) games were created using XNA: Mohawk Warrior, Super Market Madness, Emergency Response Team, Tomorrah's Grub, TOBam
Unity	Unity makes 3D hardware accelerated game development way easy, with impressively short development times. 2D game development is slightly tedious, but hardware accelerated scaling (aliased), rotation and full alpha transparency make that hurdle worth jumping. In 2008, the Unity based Office Smash wowed everyone.
Torque Game Builder	An amazing scriptable hardware accelerated 2D game builder. I would say that even if GarageGames didn't sponsor us. Last year, 4 (of 28) games used TGB - including 2 People's Choice: Benny Hinn's Bible Blast For Cash, Quiver, Monkey Banana Blitz, Promotion
Game Maker	Apparently, one of the easiest ways to create a game. Slightly limited version is free. Full version is $20 US.
PyGame	Free and produced results during our feasibliity study. What's not to like? Learn some Python and have at it. As a bonus, Nelson, Rob and Paul will be able to help you. As another bonus, they've created a framework for you.
SDL	Simple Directmedia layer. It's an industry standard that goes way beyond graphics. It's also cross platform.
HGE	Haaf's Game Engine. Want to use C++ and want 2D graphics accelerated by a 3D card? Here's a free engine that makes it easy. Before you get too excited you should know it's Windows DirectX only.
VB 6.0	Join Jim McGinley in a world where everything is far from basic. VB6.0 has all of the drawbacks, and none of the advantages. VB.Net is the dimwitted brother of C#. Needless to say, Jim's not upgrading anytime soon.