8 ms·

Ludum Dare #28 starts today

99 points by WA 13y ago

danso 13y ago
FYI, winners of Ludum Dare 27, the theme of which was "10 Seconds" http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/09/16/ludum-dare-27-results/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/09/16/ludum-dare-27-resu... It's fun to see the creativity behind the interpretations of the theme as much as the actual games themselves
Vaskivo 13y ago
I'm going to participate in it. It's gonna be my 4th time. I participated in the jam twice and the compo once (didn't work that well). If you want to try the games, here they are: Theme - Tiny World: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=12719 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview... Theme - Evolution: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2012/08/28/tower-of-nugs/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2012/08/28/tower-of-nugs/ Theme - Minimalism: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-26/?action=preview&uid=11314 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-26/?action=preview... (this one was for the Compo, and didn't go as well as I hoped. Still, I believe I achieved the experience and message I wanted) EDIT: Github for the last game https://github.com/Vaskivo/LudumDare26_MOAI https://github.com/Vaskivo/LudumDare26_MOAI
- willvarfar 13y ago
  A Giant Step was fun :) I remember playing it during the compo ratings.
  - Vaskivo 13y ago
    Did you finish it? I think we have a great ending, but the game ended up too difficult. If you're having trouble just press 'left' during the whole game for an unintended cheat/bug.
    - willvarfar 13y ago
      Apologies I don't think I did, as I don't recall the ending. In penance, I'll try and finish it before the new LD starts...
basicallydan 13y ago
This is interesting, might take part, I have no solid plans this weekend. I'm in London, England. I'm curious, are there any real-world gatherings in my city that people here know about? Does anybody know of a place/group of people who might like to organise one? EDITED: For clarity.
- mrspeaker 13y ago
  Don't be curious, just do it! 48 hours, and you have a finished game. No excuses. Might not be awesome, but feels great to finish. There's a list of real-world meet-ups if you're feeling social! http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/11/19/real-world-ludum-dare-28-gatherings/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/11/19/real-world-ludum-d...
netcraft 13y ago
I know in the past Notch has live streamed his development of things like this - is there anyone else doing things like that?
- Udo 13y ago
  I'll probably be streaming again like last time, so more people can appreciate my atrocious accent! I'm really looking forward to this, it's my 3rd time around.
- dysoco 13y ago
  Check the streams here on the right http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ Obviously there's almost no one streaming atm, but many people stream during the compo.
- WA 13y ago
  Notch will participate and stream. Other people might as well, but I don't know for sure. http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/12/im-in-and-ill-be-bringing-webgl/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/12/im-in-and-ill-be-b...
  - Mikeb85 13y ago
    And he'll be using Dart/Webgl. Should be interesting.
Zolomon 13y ago
I hate that these jams always happen one week before my exams. This is so frustrating.
- Vaskivo 13y ago
  Well, there are three LD's in the year. one in April, one in August and one in December. They also have miniLD's monthly.
  - Zolomon 13y ago
    Should try the miniLDs perhaps. But I have exams exactly in those months you specified. I should just go and focus on finishing my master's! logs off HN
willvarfar 13y ago
I'm going to do my first solo entry this weekend. I'm not very fond of the theme, so I'm going to try and slant things towards a Doom tribute, it being 20 years and all. My super-proud previous team entries are: Mini31: Afraid of the Dark http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/minild-31/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/minild-31/?action=preview&uid... (2D platformer using 3D art) LD23: The Small World of Professor Strange http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview... (a graphical text adventure with Eclipse IDE mode) LD24: Cage Flight http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-24/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-24/?action=preview... (multiplayer space sim) LD25: The Crown Jewels Job http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-25/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-25/?action=preview... (2D platformer, kid safe) Mini40: Mutually Assured Destruction http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/minild-40/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/minild-40/?action=preview&uid... (nice globe map) LD27: NSA's Where's Snowden? http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview... (SQL hacking game)
- phaer 13y ago
  How can you not be very fond of the theme when the theme is not yet known? As far as i see on http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/08/ludum-dare-28-theme-voting-begins/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/08/ludum-dare-28-them... voting is still open?
  - willvarfar 13y ago
    Yes, but I'm not fond of any of the popular themes in the final round. Same thing happened last time, which is why I did a Snowden game. We shouldn't let the theme get in the way :)
    - Vaskivo 13y ago
      I find the theme the best part. What I really enjoy in LD's is the first 3/4 hours where the theme discusses the theme and the games gradually emerges. I can make any game I what anytime, but the theme give you focus and forces you to think in something you otherwise wouldn't.
reidrac 13y ago
I did the compo once (solo entry), and I failed miserably :) I've finished a couple of PyWeeks* , and having only 48 hours changes everything: it's about being focused and effective, and definitely more about game design than actually programming/art. * Python game programming challenge that happens during one week, that to me translates into ~36 hours of development (because of job, real life, etc).
EGreg 13y ago
I'm Jewish and all these "weekend hackathons" leave me half as much time as those who participate the whole time. Because I don't work from friday night to say night, I basically have less time to complete the project. I view that as an additional challenge. At TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon, which I attended every year, the first time I built a real-time, quora-like Q&A app with questions of the type "What is the Adj Noun in Noun", which invited people via chat requests. The second time I built "spreadourmessage.com" which generated a widget organizations could place on their page to let people "donate their fb profiles to syndicate some organizationms posts. Neither one won anything. The third year I realized many people were cheating and using existing sites, so I updated our existing app, YouMixer.com (which doesn't work well with fb connect anymore) and presented a real time social jukebox backed by youtube like a free itunes. Didn't win either. This year I'm going to build something from scratch using a sponsor's API and our Q framework (http://qbixstaging.com/QP http://qbixstaging.com/QP) if it does its job, this should beat the pants off the other entries.
- Udo 13y ago
  At the danger of sounding insensitive, you can't schedule these things to make everybody happy. Shift workers, doctors and nurses, there are lots of people who don't have "free" weekends. Like you, I also have a weekend hobby that conflicts with LD. This year, I'm going to miss out on most of Saturday again, but I came to the conclusion that in the end it can be a good thing - it forces you to work in a more economical manner. I'd take the Jam, however, not the Compo (with more time being the only deciding factor).
  - EGreg 13y ago
    Yeah, I don't expect the time of the "weekend hackathon" to change. I am fine with this. Although it would be nice to have an option for diff people to take different days since it's all in good fun. What kind of irks me is that many hackathons seem to have winners decided by other criteria than the ones they state...
    - Udo 13y ago
Kiro 13y ago
What's the theme? I don't understand the page.
- Udo 13y ago
  The theme will be announced once voting is completed.
  - Kiro 13y ago
    Can you see the themes that went to final without logging in?
    - Udo 13y ago
      There are blog posts with the tallies of previous voting rounds, you could search for them if you really don't want to log in. If plan on participating, however, you're going to need an account anyway so I don't see a reason why you wouldn't. If you just want to see what the theme is going to be, just watch the front page and you'll find out together with the rest of us.
    - qeorge 13y ago
      They're listed here: http://www.reddit.com/r/ludumdare/comments/1spdfp/ludum_dare_voting_final_round/ http://www.reddit.com/r/ludumdare/comments/1spdfp/ludum_dare... Its a neat way to think about game themes; a useful list to have.
- Vaskivo 13y ago
  The theme is only revealed at the start of the competition. The theme is revealed and BAM! 48 hours to make a game. The theme reveal is when the clock starts ticking.
  - unwind 13y ago
    That's a good explanation, the page was really confusing when you're not familiar with how it's done. Also, there's a clock ticking now, counting time to when the theme is revealed. It's currently at around 10 hours 40 minutes, which makes me feel some pain for Notch since I'm in his timezone (Stockholm, Sweden). It's 16:18 in the afternoon here now, so the reveal is at 03:00 in the night. Not my peak hour for programming. :)
fhd2 13y ago
One of these things parents typically don't get to do :( I'm pretty sure I'd join a "48 hours in 30 days" style LD, that could actually work for me. Is anyone aware of anything like that? edit: Just remembered that there's 1GAM (One Game A Month), which is almost that. Still, I'd prefer a yearly or bi-yearly thing with a lot of traction like LD, and some kind of total time limit. edit2: What'd be interesting about such a jam is that people would have much more time to think. I don't consider myself less productive when it comes to side projects than before I had kids, I get to think things really through and solve most hard issues while I'm out and about with the little ones.
- jasonlotito 13y ago
  Outside of being a single parent†, you can still do these things. It just takes an understanding partner. † I'm sure there are ways as a single parent, but that's beside the point.
  - fhd2 13y ago
    I'd rather be an understanding partner myself and not ask for this. We have two small kids though, I imagine it's manageable with just one.
    - jasonlotito 13y ago
      I have 2 small children as well. Both with autism. My wife and I have no problem leaving the children with one or the other. We don't do it frequently, but we do still enjoy our own hobbies. I love knowing that she can go spend a day out photographing with her friends, doing what she wants. And I love the day I get to spend with my kids, just me and them. Being understanding doesn't mean you have to share in everything, together every moment.
      - bchjam 13y ago
        I also have a child with autism and I think that factors into it. Both in that it can be much easier for an auteur to handle one on one situations, and because it can be really draining dealing with the negative aspects of autism and I think it's healthy to have some respite from it (maybe somewhat true with all kids but much more so with social/developmental disorders)
Lockyy 13y ago
If I end up participating this will be my first full LD. I've taken part in a miniLD before and did well, though the big names involved in the main one is a little intimidating.
- mscottmcbee 13y ago
  Do it for yourself. Don't worry about comparing your work to others. If you make something you yourself are proud of, then what does it matter if Notch or Terry Cavanagh are participating?
  - Lockyy 13y ago
    I suppose you're right. I was surprised at how few people took part in the mini I did (#40 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/?p=221661 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/?p=221661). I wonder whether the main LD entries get more or less feedback than the minis. It seems like it could go either way. The larger volume of submissions could make it less likely that people find yours.
    - mscottmcbee 13y ago
      There's a pretty decent discovery mechanism. The more you rate, the closer you are to the front page. It's not perfect, but I don't think I've gotten less than, say, 50 people rating my games (http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/author/mscottmcbee/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/author/mscottmcbee/ If you're interested). Rate others, leave comments, and people will play your game.
daredevildave 13y ago
Ludum Dare has been so much fun over the years. We've been doing it for 2 years now, and have had mixed success :-) http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/13/playcanvas-is-in/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/13/playcanvas-is-in/ But we've created some awesome little games (and some less awesome ones) but always learned and pushed our platform forward that bit. 2yrs ago, http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/alone/latest http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/alone/latest 1.5yr ago, http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/tiny_world/latest http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/tiny_world/latest 6m ago, http://apps.playcanvas.com/will/mondrian/ld48 http://apps.playcanvas.com/will/mondrian/ld48 6m ago, http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/minimal/ld48 http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/minimal/ld48
Mikeb85 13y ago
I'm going to attempt this, but not sure how far I'll get. I pretty much only have Saturday evening to do a game, rest of the weekend is booked. I did find some pretty neat tools though which should enable me to get something playable in 5 or 6 hours...
mguillemot 13y ago
I did way better than I expected last time for my first entry in the contest, with my Legend of Epikouros (http://tenseconds.npng.org/ http://tenseconds.npng.org/ for the curious). Now I feel that I cannot top that >_<' But I encourage everyone to participate, that was a lot of creative juices flowing!
aschearer 13y ago
If you're participating and live in or around Seattle join us for a "Show & Tell" on Monday evening to share what you've created: http://www.meetup.com/SeattleGames/events/153593212/ http://www.meetup.com/SeattleGames/events/153593212/
VonGuard 13y ago
Oakland and East Bay folks interested in participating can come to the MADE http://www.themade.org http://www.themade.org this afternoon, around 4 or 5, when the Ludum Dare will be starting. We'll be hosting open hours for game jammers all weekend, all for free. Come make some games!
Morgawr 13y ago
I love Ludum Dare, although I always have bad luck and worst timing when they are scheduled. I was able to participate in 3 of them so far and I always take the occasion to try and learn a new language/try a new development process just for the hell of it. As an added challenge. First I started with C++, as a C programmer, it was a pretty big jump for me http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=8711 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview... Then a year later, while I had just started playing around with Clojure, I went all the way and wrote a game in ClojureScript http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-26/?action=preview&uid=8711 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-26/?action=preview... which turned out for some parts to be easier than I thought. Last time I went with some plain Javascript instead http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview&uid=8711 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview... Honestly, this time around I wanted to try out my new Clojure game engine but it's still in development and not quite ready, plus I have finals next week and I'm studying like crazy. Unfortunately I'll have to skip this time but I suggest anybody who's interested in game development (or just wants to have fun) to go try a Ludum Dare, it's really a self-rewarding and enriching experience!

99 points by WA 13y ago

danso 13y ago

FYI, winners of Ludum Dare 27, the theme of which was "10 Seconds" http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/09/16/ludum-dare-27-results/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/09/16/ludum-dare-27-resu... It's fun to see the creativity behind the interpretations of the theme as much as the actual games themselves

Vaskivo 13y ago

I'm going to participate in it. It's gonna be my 4th time. I participated in the jam twice and the compo once (didn't work that well). If you want to try the games, here they are: Theme - Tiny World: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=12719 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview... Theme - Evolution: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2012/08/28/tower-of-nugs/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2012/08/28/tower-of-nugs/ Theme - Minimalism: http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-26/?action=preview&uid=11314 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-26/?action=preview... (this one was for the Compo, and didn't go as well as I hoped. Still, I believe I achieved the experience and message I wanted) EDIT: Github for the last game https://github.com/Vaskivo/LudumDare26_MOAI https://github.com/Vaskivo/LudumDare26_MOAI

willvarfar 13y ago
A Giant Step was fun :) I remember playing it during the compo ratings.
- Vaskivo 13y ago
  Did you finish it? I think we have a great ending, but the game ended up too difficult. If you're having trouble just press 'left' during the whole game for an unintended cheat/bug.
  - willvarfar 13y ago
    Apologies I don't think I did, as I don't recall the ending. In penance, I'll try and finish it before the new LD starts...

basicallydan 13y ago

This is interesting, might take part, I have no solid plans this weekend. I'm in London, England. I'm curious, are there any real-world gatherings in my city that people here know about? Does anybody know of a place/group of people who might like to organise one? EDITED: For clarity.

mrspeaker 13y ago
Don't be curious, just do it! 48 hours, and you have a finished game. No excuses. Might not be awesome, but feels great to finish. There's a list of real-world meet-ups if you're feeling social! http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/11/19/real-world-ludum-dare-28-gatherings/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/11/19/real-world-ludum-d...

netcraft 13y ago

I know in the past Notch has live streamed his development of things like this - is there anyone else doing things like that?

Udo 13y ago
I'll probably be streaming again like last time, so more people can appreciate my atrocious accent! I'm really looking forward to this, it's my 3rd time around.
dysoco 13y ago
Check the streams here on the right http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ Obviously there's almost no one streaming atm, but many people stream during the compo.
WA 13y ago
Notch will participate and stream. Other people might as well, but I don't know for sure. http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/12/im-in-and-ill-be-bringing-webgl/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/12/im-in-and-ill-be-b...
- Mikeb85 13y ago
  And he'll be using Dart/Webgl. Should be interesting.

Zolomon 13y ago

I hate that these jams always happen one week before my exams. This is so frustrating.

Vaskivo 13y ago
Well, there are three LD's in the year. one in April, one in August and one in December. They also have miniLD's monthly.
- Zolomon 13y ago
  Should try the miniLDs perhaps. But I have exams exactly in those months you specified. I should just go and focus on finishing my master's! logs off HN

willvarfar 13y ago

I'm going to do my first solo entry this weekend. I'm not very fond of the theme, so I'm going to try and slant things towards a Doom tribute, it being 20 years and all. My super-proud previous team entries are: Mini31: Afraid of the Dark http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/minild-31/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/minild-31/?action=preview&uid... (2D platformer using 3D art) LD23: The Small World of Professor Strange http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview... (a graphical text adventure with Eclipse IDE mode) LD24: Cage Flight http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-24/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-24/?action=preview... (multiplayer space sim) LD25: The Crown Jewels Job http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-25/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-25/?action=preview... (2D platformer, kid safe) Mini40: Mutually Assured Destruction http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/minild-40/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/minild-40/?action=preview&uid... (nice globe map) LD27: NSA's Where's Snowden? http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview&uid=10313 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview... (SQL hacking game)

phaer 13y ago
How can you not be very fond of the theme when the theme is not yet known? As far as i see on http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/08/ludum-dare-28-theme-voting-begins/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/08/ludum-dare-28-them... voting is still open?
- willvarfar 13y ago
  Yes, but I'm not fond of any of the popular themes in the final round. Same thing happened last time, which is why I did a Snowden game. We shouldn't let the theme get in the way :)
  - Vaskivo 13y ago
    I find the theme the best part. What I really enjoy in LD's is the first 3/4 hours where the theme discusses the theme and the games gradually emerges. I can make any game I what anytime, but the theme give you focus and forces you to think in something you otherwise wouldn't.

reidrac 13y ago

I did the compo once (solo entry), and I failed miserably :) I've finished a couple of PyWeeks* , and having only 48 hours changes everything: it's about being focused and effective, and definitely more about game design than actually programming/art. * Python game programming challenge that happens during one week, that to me translates into ~36 hours of development (because of job, real life, etc).

EGreg 13y ago

I'm Jewish and all these "weekend hackathons" leave me half as much time as those who participate the whole time. Because I don't work from friday night to say night, I basically have less time to complete the project. I view that as an additional challenge. At TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon, which I attended every year, the first time I built a real-time, quora-like Q&A app with questions of the type "What is the Adj Noun in Noun", which invited people via chat requests. The second time I built "spreadourmessage.com" which generated a widget organizations could place on their page to let people "donate their fb profiles to syndicate some organizationms posts. Neither one won anything. The third year I realized many people were cheating and using existing sites, so I updated our existing app, YouMixer.com (which doesn't work well with fb connect anymore) and presented a real time social jukebox backed by youtube like a free itunes. Didn't win either. This year I'm going to build something from scratch using a sponsor's API and our Q framework (http://qbixstaging.com/QP http://qbixstaging.com/QP) if it does its job, this should beat the pants off the other entries.

Udo 13y ago
At the danger of sounding insensitive, you can't schedule these things to make everybody happy. Shift workers, doctors and nurses, there are lots of people who don't have "free" weekends. Like you, I also have a weekend hobby that conflicts with LD. This year, I'm going to miss out on most of Saturday again, but I came to the conclusion that in the end it can be a good thing - it forces you to work in a more economical manner. I'd take the Jam, however, not the Compo (with more time being the only deciding factor).
- EGreg 13y ago
  Yeah, I don't expect the time of the "weekend hackathon" to change. I am fine with this. Although it would be nice to have an option for diff people to take different days since it's all in good fun. What kind of irks me is that many hackathons seem to have winners decided by other criteria than the ones they state...
  - Udo 13y ago

Kiro 13y ago

What's the theme? I don't understand the page.

Udo 13y ago
The theme will be announced once voting is completed.
- Kiro 13y ago
  Can you see the themes that went to final without logging in?
  - Udo 13y ago
    There are blog posts with the tallies of previous voting rounds, you could search for them if you really don't want to log in. If plan on participating, however, you're going to need an account anyway so I don't see a reason why you wouldn't. If you just want to see what the theme is going to be, just watch the front page and you'll find out together with the rest of us.
  - qeorge 13y ago
    They're listed here: http://www.reddit.com/r/ludumdare/comments/1spdfp/ludum_dare_voting_final_round/ http://www.reddit.com/r/ludumdare/comments/1spdfp/ludum_dare... Its a neat way to think about game themes; a useful list to have.
Vaskivo 13y ago
The theme is only revealed at the start of the competition. The theme is revealed and BAM! 48 hours to make a game. The theme reveal is when the clock starts ticking.
- unwind 13y ago
  That's a good explanation, the page was really confusing when you're not familiar with how it's done. Also, there's a clock ticking now, counting time to when the theme is revealed. It's currently at around 10 hours 40 minutes, which makes me feel some pain for Notch since I'm in his timezone (Stockholm, Sweden). It's 16:18 in the afternoon here now, so the reveal is at 03:00 in the night. Not my peak hour for programming. :)

fhd2 13y ago

One of these things parents typically don't get to do :( I'm pretty sure I'd join a "48 hours in 30 days" style LD, that could actually work for me. Is anyone aware of anything like that? edit: Just remembered that there's 1GAM (One Game A Month), which is almost that. Still, I'd prefer a yearly or bi-yearly thing with a lot of traction like LD, and some kind of total time limit. edit2: What'd be interesting about such a jam is that people would have much more time to think. I don't consider myself less productive when it comes to side projects than before I had kids, I get to think things really through and solve most hard issues while I'm out and about with the little ones.

jasonlotito 13y ago
Outside of being a single parent†, you can still do these things. It just takes an understanding partner. † I'm sure there are ways as a single parent, but that's beside the point.
- fhd2 13y ago
  I'd rather be an understanding partner myself and not ask for this. We have two small kids though, I imagine it's manageable with just one.
  - jasonlotito 13y ago
    I have 2 small children as well. Both with autism. My wife and I have no problem leaving the children with one or the other. We don't do it frequently, but we do still enjoy our own hobbies. I love knowing that she can go spend a day out photographing with her friends, doing what she wants. And I love the day I get to spend with my kids, just me and them. Being understanding doesn't mean you have to share in everything, together every moment.
    - bchjam 13y ago
      I also have a child with autism and I think that factors into it. Both in that it can be much easier for an auteur to handle one on one situations, and because it can be really draining dealing with the negative aspects of autism and I think it's healthy to have some respite from it (maybe somewhat true with all kids but much more so with social/developmental disorders)

Lockyy 13y ago

If I end up participating this will be my first full LD. I've taken part in a miniLD before and did well, though the big names involved in the main one is a little intimidating.

mscottmcbee 13y ago
Do it for yourself. Don't worry about comparing your work to others. If you make something you yourself are proud of, then what does it matter if Notch or Terry Cavanagh are participating?
- Lockyy 13y ago
  I suppose you're right. I was surprised at how few people took part in the mini I did (#40 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/?p=221661 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/?p=221661). I wonder whether the main LD entries get more or less feedback than the minis. It seems like it could go either way. The larger volume of submissions could make it less likely that people find yours.
  - mscottmcbee 13y ago
    There's a pretty decent discovery mechanism. The more you rate, the closer you are to the front page. It's not perfect, but I don't think I've gotten less than, say, 50 people rating my games (http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/author/mscottmcbee/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/author/mscottmcbee/ If you're interested). Rate others, leave comments, and people will play your game.

daredevildave 13y ago

Ludum Dare has been so much fun over the years. We've been doing it for 2 years now, and have had mixed success :-) http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/13/playcanvas-is-in/ http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/2013/12/13/playcanvas-is-in/ But we've created some awesome little games (and some less awesome ones) but always learned and pushed our platform forward that bit. 2yrs ago, http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/alone/latest http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/alone/latest 1.5yr ago, http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/tiny_world/latest http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/tiny_world/latest 6m ago, http://apps.playcanvas.com/will/mondrian/ld48 http://apps.playcanvas.com/will/mondrian/ld48 6m ago, http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/minimal/ld48 http://apps.playcanvas.com/dave/minimal/ld48

Mikeb85 13y ago

I'm going to attempt this, but not sure how far I'll get. I pretty much only have Saturday evening to do a game, rest of the weekend is booked. I did find some pretty neat tools though which should enable me to get something playable in 5 or 6 hours...

mguillemot 13y ago

I did way better than I expected last time for my first entry in the contest, with my Legend of Epikouros (http://tenseconds.npng.org/ http://tenseconds.npng.org/ for the curious). Now I feel that I cannot top that >_<' But I encourage everyone to participate, that was a lot of creative juices flowing!

aschearer 13y ago

If you're participating and live in or around Seattle join us for a "Show & Tell" on Monday evening to share what you've created: http://www.meetup.com/SeattleGames/events/153593212/ http://www.meetup.com/SeattleGames/events/153593212/

VonGuard 13y ago

Oakland and East Bay folks interested in participating can come to the MADE http://www.themade.org http://www.themade.org this afternoon, around 4 or 5, when the Ludum Dare will be starting. We'll be hosting open hours for game jammers all weekend, all for free. Come make some games!

Morgawr 13y ago

I love Ludum Dare, although I always have bad luck and worst timing when they are scheduled. I was able to participate in 3 of them so far and I always take the occasion to try and learn a new language/try a new development process just for the hell of it. As an added challenge. First I started with C++, as a C programmer, it was a pretty big jump for me http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview&uid=8711 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-23/?action=preview... Then a year later, while I had just started playing around with Clojure, I went all the way and wrote a game in ClojureScript http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-26/?action=preview&uid=8711 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-26/?action=preview... which turned out for some parts to be easier than I thought. Last time I went with some plain Javascript instead http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview&uid=8711 http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-27/?action=preview... Honestly, this time around I wanted to try out my new Clojure game engine but it's still in development and not quite ready, plus I have finals next week and I'm studying like crazy. Unfortunately I'll have to skip this time but I suggest anybody who's interested in game development (or just wants to have fun) to go try a Ludum Dare, it's really a self-rewarding and enriching experience!