Like when old folks describe a maturing approach to romance, I've gone through different cycles of interest with Ludum Dare. From my very first one, LD4 (Infection), through various peaks and valleys and frequent hiatus(have I ever done two consecutive? I'm not sure), a long period where I was a fixture in the IRC channel, and now a return on this shiny new site. A saga of about 14 years in all. I have been to many game jams, and no two are the same, but LD remains first and foremost among them, and it's the people and the attitudes that keep it there.

It's actually been a while since I've felt comfortable with internet comments, but I really engaged with this compo and tried to share everything I had and kept running with that when it came time to do ratings and feedback too and I really feel good about it now. On bigger sites I comment, but just never read my replies anymore because too many of them are bad faith or counterproductive and it puts me in an anxious mood. Here I know that everyone is on the same page, even if there's difference of opinion or experience. It's good to see people who are staying engaged and interested. You might not always find time or energy for game jams, but don't ever give up your engagement and curiosity! ⭐

I help run a monthly gamedev meetup group for the San Francisco area(linked: next week's event). If you did something for LD, you absolutely are invited. If you didn't do something for LD but you're reading this here, you are still invited, because what kind of person would wander around a site where people make games and not want to meet people who make games?