Hi all,
I'm new to the forums (as well as game jams).
I recently took part in my first game jam, the Alternative Controller Game Jam, where participants focus on developing games which use non-standard controllers. The results have just been announced and I'd thought it may be of interest to mention here and discuss my own entry.
Results
http://www.altctrlgamejam.com/results/53bbe6d8b0c52be2545e066dThe top 3 games included: a converted radio, which was made into the control panel for a space blimp in an exploration game; a 3D printed space ship with movable weapons which was used to control a space ship in a shooting game; and a wooden voodoo doll which was used to solve puzzles. I've included video links below for the top 3, I also heartily recommend checking out the other entries on the results page.
The Winds of Venus
Space Battleship Shield
Hexed Heart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnmriPj0KPwMy entry was called Waves of the Aesir, a one player 2D action game, themed around Norse mythology. You play as 1 of 3 Norse gods and are tasked with guiding your Viking followers home across the stormy seas. The alternative controller aspect of my game is in the ability to choose how you play the game, you can play using either your voice (via microphone), your breathe (via a heart monitor) or your eye blinks (via a brainwave sensor). Each controller was paired with a Norse god who best encapsulated the type of interaction you would be using and were given character specific powers to emphasize this. For example, Bragi, the God of Poetry and Music. You control him using sound which can be used to create ocean waves that help you dodge objects.
Submission page
http://www.altctrlgamejam.com/games/5420a67764ff4f2c5a10ccd3Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SomkYxa1cxUYou can try the game via the submission page which includes the instructions for the sensor setup (I would be grateful for any feedback, especially whether the sensor code worked if you have the required devices).
I've not really developed games outside a research context (I work with biofeedback technologies), so this experience has been deeply rewarding in designing more practical sensor based applications. Ranking 5 out of 23 in the competition was also a very nice surprise for my first game jam and I look forward to developing better systems based on my experience and the feedback I received during this event.
Hopefully come my next game jam I'll avoid spending too much time on the quality of the interface, and more time on the gameplay mechanic itself. For a game jam focused on the controller I spent a inordinate amount of time getting the presentation just so.
- K
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