10 Seconds is long enough in March

March 1st, 2010

Last month’s limited 28 day period sure got us thinking about time.  Time was the mechanic du Jour back in the early 2000’s, what with your Prince of Persia’s, and Max Payne’s and what not.  Lately we’ve shifted from simply being able to rewind time, to doing all sorts of crazy things with it – Braid, Time Donkey, and most recently 30 Second Hero come to mind.

It seems like 100 Things was plenty back in January, so what can you have the player do in 10 seconds?

28 Comments | In: Theme | tags: 10 Seconds, Theme | #

2010 calls for: 100 Things.

January 1st, 2010

Happy New Year, everybody! While 2010, might quite not have the chutzpah of the year 2000 – what with its futuristic robot names and the ever delicious Millenios, it is a bright and bold decade in its own right.  One that calls for an equally bright and bold theme – so what better than one with some strict limitations?

Yes, 100 Things is the name of the game this month, in honor of the original Indie Game Jam, which back in March of 2002 which tasked developers with using 100,000 sprites on screen at the same time.

So what can you do with 100 things?

54 Comments | In: Theme | tags: 100 things, Theme | #

It’s a fact, the next theme is: ART GAME

November 1st, 2009

Big, big, big news this month! For the next theme we’ve decided to tackle the ever-controversial ART GAME. Although the whole games as art debate typically results in fruitless hand-wringing and much ballyhoo, but the theme itself should provide a nice backdrop to work in.

And speaking of backdrops, we’re pleased to announce that EGP will be partnering with the FACT museum in good old Liverpool England for this auspicious theme as part of their Space Invaders exhibit. Not only will the best entries be displayed on their website, but the best game will be displayed as a game station in the FACT exhibition!

Given the enormity of the theme and the event we’ve decided to extend the deadline to two months, so you’ll have until December 31st, 11:59 PST to submit your game. However, I should note that anyone seriously interested in seeing their work on display should note that the exhibit itself opens on December 17th, so it’s quite possible that an earlier entry may have a better shot – decisions, decisions.

Good luck everybody!

61 Comments | In: News, Theme | tags: Art Game, Theme | #

October plays it by the NUMBERS

October 1st, 2009

A new month, means a new theme and while it’s hard to top something as perplexing as “Failure”, this month’s theme should result in some interesting games I’m sure.

Numbers in games typically lurk in the background – hiding in code (or in many cases, script), rarely showing themselves except to pop up as a piece of UI. Other than Brain Training, Sudoku, and Mine Sweeper there really aren’t too may number games out there.

So what do you guys think? Anyone up for NUMBERS this month?

58 Comments | In: Theme | tags: Numbers, Theme | #

If it’s September, then it must be time for FAILURE

September 1st, 2009

September usually means a few things Stateside. In the north, the leaves start to change colors and the temperature drops from a temperate upper 70’s, to a hellishly cold 50 degrees. Theme parks close until Spring, and the movie industry begins it’s autumn snooze until it reawakens in time to cash in on the holidays. It’s also the time when most schools reopen, and students let out a collective groan while parents let out a collective sigh.

And while many of us here at EGP don’t fit into either category, we do like to pay tribute to a little something that everyone worries about with this month’s theme.

So how about it? Is anyone else ready to join us in FAILURE this month?

59 Comments | In: Theme | tags: Failure, Theme | #

And the theme of August is…

August 1st, 2009

It’s a new month, so time for a new theme!  In honor of those lazy, lazy summer days this month’s theme is Bare Minimum. Really, that could be anything – graphics, sound, gameplay – some have even been so crass as to suggest clothing!

But we here at good ‘ol EGP are nothing, if not gentlemen. Speaking of which, I should introduce this month’s *new* participants:

Ron Carmel (2DBoy)

Ron Carmel is one half of 2D BOY, the independent game studio behind World of Goo. He is responsible for programming, production and business development and occasionally speaks about himself in the 3rd person.

Chaim Gingold

Paolo Pedercini

Paolo Pedercini is mostly known and hated for his games released under the project name molleindustria. He’s currently based in Pittsburgh where he is trying to teach game design to artists, mavericks and troublemakers [http://gamedesign.molleindustria.org/].

Adam Saltsman

Adam Atomic created flixel, FATHOM, and Gravity Hook, and helped make Edgecrement, Cave Story Wii, Paper Moon, wurdle, and Owl Country.

Michael Todd

Michael Todd is a Toronto indie game developer. He spends his time designing, programming & doodling small crazy games.

If you’ve made a game for this month’s theme, do send us a link in the comments section and we’ll be sure to include you in our monthly net roundup!

86 Comments | In: Theme | tags: Bare Minimum, Theme | #