But What if I Can’t Draw or Program?…

As of today, we’re officially three weeks away from the St. Louis GameJam! We’re expecting a good turnout so far, but there are still plenty of slots open.

A few of the registrants posted questions wondering if they could still participate in the GameJam if they aren’t a skilled artist or programmer. The answer to that question is a resounding yes! That said, if you plan on coming it’s a good idea to know what you’re getting into.

People from many different backgrounds have participated in the St. Louis GameJam in the past, and in many cases it was their first attempt at making games. There are many easy-to-use free tools available to let non-programmers create, and putting together art, music, and sound effects for a game are often as simple as firing up a google search. While it’s true that some retail and downloadable games began their life as GameJam games, very few look the same as they did after that initial weekend of work. It’s ok if your game looks a little rough around the edges. On the final day of the Jam people will be much more impressed if you have a finished game with placeholder assets than they would be if you had a half-finished game that looks or sounds gorgeous.

The primary skills needed are a passion for creativity and a desire to work efficiently toward a common goal. This may sound obvious, but out of every GameJam I’ve attended I’ve never seen anyone complain about the quality of art, design, or programming going into a game, but I’ve seen many disappointed that their team didn’t arrive when they said they would or wasn’t prioritizing their time well. Don’t let that intimidate you, just know that dedication often means more than talent at events like these, and that’s a good thing!

If you’re on the fence, your takeaway from this post should be to jump on over and hit the big orange “Register NOW” button to your left. It’s going to be an incredibly fun and memorable weekend. If you’ve ever had the inkling that you might want to work on games, this is your chance to jump in and get started in an environment surrounded by supporting professionals who share your passion. And if you’ve already signed up, tell a friend! We’ll see you there!

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