Am I qualified to write this up seeing as how all 3 of my previous entries were pretty trash? Probably not but dammit I'm going to do it anyway.

Here are some tips I recommend to those that are new right so you can have an enjoyable LD experience.

Sleep and take breaks: Having a good sleep schedule is super important. A lot of newbies think that in order to be successful you have to stay awake for almost the entirety of the 48 hours. This is one of the worst things you can do. It's been scientifically proven that sleep deprivation can lead to stress and a lack of productivity. Try to still maintain ~8 hours of sleep/night over the course of the jam. It's also a good idea to take breaks over the course of the jam instead of spending all program in front of your computer. The number of times I've been stuck on a bug then went on a break, and came back with the solution is unreal.

Eat well: A lot of people think it's time to load up on sugar and caffeine. The issue with this is you WILL eventually crash and this will harm more than it will help. Try to eat good healthy meals throughout the day, your body will thank you.

Avoid overscoping: This is the problem everyone has. You come up with a great idea for the theme and 24 hours in you realize you aren't going to finish. A good thing to follow is this: Once you come up with your idea, cut everything that isn't absolutely necessary, then cut that list down again. You should end up with a list of maybe 3 or 4 items at most, this is the absolute most your game should have. Your game should aim to do one thing really well instead of a lot of things.

Prioritize: Firstly, get your mechanics perfected first. It's better to submit a playable game but the graphics are just cubes over a good looking but unplayable game. I also recommend you do the things you know will be more complex first followed by simpler things.

Keep it short and sweet: Ensure your game can be played in 5-10 minutes. You want to make sure that someone playing your game can get a good feel for the gameplay in 5-10 minutes at most. Try to also keep your game easier. You don't want people to rate your game poorly because it's difficult and they get frustrated. Keeping your game short and simple ensures the maximum amount of people playing it.

Stick to what you know: Try to use tools you know how to use. It's not a great idea to decide to learn a new engine while doing your LD. I recommend you experiment but try experimenting with new mechanics or game ideas instead of your tools. Make sure your tools are updated and ready to go before the jam begins.

Get Involved: LD (especially if you're doing it solo or compo) can sometimes feel lonely. Try streaming on Twitch. Share your progress on here or on Twitter. Join the Discord or IRC channels. LD is more fun when you can chat with others who are also doing the same thing as you.

Give good feedback: During the play and rate stage, try to play as many games as possible. Don't just play the games and give them stars, but actually take time to write down feedback in the comments. Don't be afraid to give constructive criticism. If someone plays your game, return the favour!

Good luck everyone!