Signing up for the Jam

• You have to be registered to participate in The Bahrain Game Jam.
• Registration Options:
  • You can register through the online form available on the website.
  • You can also register using the physical form provided to you on the day of the Jam at the venue.
• A team can consist of up to five members.
• One participant can be part of one team only.

Team Formation

• A team can only consist of two and up to 5 members.
• If a member of a team is missing, the team member can be substituted.
  • Substituted members have to be registered with the jam and announced to the Bahrain Game Jam Management office.
• A single developer will be considered independent. However, he must register a team name to represent himself.
• If a single developer wishes to be part of a team, he needs to notify the registration organizers.
• Game testers are not counted as part of the team, hence, you can ask others to try out your game and ask for feedback.

Restrictions to Participation

• You must be 16 years or older to participate in the Jam.
  • Young adults (younger than 18) cannot stay at the jam location past 9:00 pm if they are not accompanied by a legal guardian.
• Participants need to be in the jam location. However, they can leave and comeback as they please.

Game Jam Timings

• The Bahrain Game Jam is a 48 hours competition, so you are welcome to stay for the entire duration.
• The official time where jammers can leave to get some rest is 9:00 pm. However, access to the jam site will still be allowed at all times as long as you carry a valid ID.
• The official opening time of the Jam is 8:00 am, jammers can comeback and continue their work.
• The Jam will start on Thursday and conclude on Saturday.

Sleeping Over

• Should jammers wish to continue developing in the location of the jam, it is advised that they prepare a stay-over kit. Here are a few things to consider:
  • A sleeping bag
  • Hygienic materials such as a toothbrush, soap, shampoo and towel
  • Extra clothes
  • Chargers for electronic devices
• The jam site is a common place, meaning that no dedicated sleeping area is provided.
• Please keep your areas clean at all times.

Devices and Personal Items

• Game Jammers are responsible for their own devices. The Bahrain Game Jam Organizers are not responsible for any damage, loss, or theft of personal items during the jam.

Mentors of Jammers

• Mentoring will be provided upon request during the jam.
• Teams/individual participants will be allowed to seek guidance from any mentor available at the time.
• Participants are not allowed to ask mentors to take part in any creative process.
• Reported abuse of the provided mentoring may result in game disqualification.

Adherence to the Jam Theme

• Game submissions must adhere to the game jam’s theme announced on the day of the event.
  • Submissions loosely related to the theme (scoring less than 5 under “Theme Adherence”) will have their overall scores capped at 65.
  • Submissions not adhering to the game jam’s theme will be disqualified.

Submission of the Games in the Game Jam

• Game submissions are to be done online in the Bahrain Game Jam Itch.io site (Link)
• A copy of the game will be provided to the event organizers after the submission of the game via Hard drive or flash.
• It is advised that screenshots and preferably, a video recording of the game is provided on the site and the physical copy submitted to the organizers.

Usage of Third Party assets

• Assets to created by the game jammers need to be disclosed, these include
  • 2D assets
  • 3D assets
  • Textures, sprites, and Materials
  • Music and Sound effects
  • Animations
  • Code
  • Or any other asset not developed by the jammers at the jam
• Jammers must declare if they have pre-existing code or assets they wish to use.
• Usage of engine assets are allowed without the need to mention its source.
• Bought assets need to be disclosed.

Disqualifications

• Teams can find themselves disqualified if:
  • They are involved in unethical acts.
  • They conduct sabotage of the jam location.
  • They are involved in disruptive behavior at the jam.
  • The team is found in violation of the Bahrain Game Jam rules.
  • Is utilizing help from external members outside of the jam.
• A game may find itself disqualified if:
  • It does not follow the Theme
  • It displays Ethical or Cultural inappropriateness.
  • It showcases adult material or offensive language.
  • It failed to disclose where assets being used are taken from (plagiarism).
  • The game is not submitted on the deadline.

Game Assessment Criteria

• Games developed by game jammers will be assessed by 7 judges following clear criteria.
• The assessment Criteria are:
  • Play: Judges will look at the overall game feel, design, mechanics, and polish.
  • Theme: Judges will look at how relevant the game is to the theme, taking Mechanics, Story, Visuals, and Sound into consideration.
    • Failing to adhere to the theme will result in immediate disqualification.
    • Games loosely related to the theme (scoring less than 5) will have their overall scores capped at 65.
  • Aesthetics and Sounds: Judges will look at visual coherence, visual effects, sound effects, and music.
  • Originality: Judges will look at the originality of visual and auditory assets, and the game’s concept.
  • Innovation and Marketability: Judges will look at the game’s fun and replay factors, and the game’s story.

Game Ownership

• All Games and assets produced in the jam are the property of their respective owners.
• The Bahrain Game Jam and The Bahrain Internet Society as well as Polytechnic Bahrain has the full right to use the games and the media produced for marketing purposes only.
  • No monetization of games being developed will be conducted by the Game Jam Organizers.
  • Images and videos will be used for the upcoming event of the Bahrain Game Jam.

Ethics and Code of Conduct

• All participants can support each other and offer help and guidance.
• Fairness and Respect should be demonstrated at the venue.
• No fighting will be allowed at the venue, should a conflict arise, seek out one of the event organizers to have it resolved.
• All participants are required to cooperate with the game jam organizers.
• No lewd behavior will be allowed.