With our historic 48th event behind us, so begins the next era of Ludum Dare. Welcome to Ludum Dare 49!

Final Round Theme Voting has begun

Cast your vote here: :ballot_box: /events/ludum-dare/49/theme

For rules and other info, visit the event page here: :trophy: /events/ludum-dare/49

If you don't want to figure out timezones, the theme announcement is when the clock (top-right) reaches zero.

TIP: The ldjam.com website slows down right before the Theme Announcement. We highly recommend you follow the official Twitter account, and sign-up for the E-mail Newsletter, just in case.

Summary of things to know: PLEASE READ

There are a lot of things to share this time around. Here's a bullet points list:

• Ludum Dare 49 is a regular Jam and Compo event
• Ludum Dare 49 starts early! October 1st at 3 PM PDT, 6 PM EDT, 10 PM UTC (22:00)
• Ludum Dare 49 ends early! Thursday October 21st! That's in just over 2 weeks, instead of the usual 3 weeks.
  • We're planning to try something special for the results. Stay tuned!
• Twitch brought back the Game Development category! Now called Software and Game Development. Use it!
  • Be sure to include the Ludum Dare tag.
  • There's a Game Development tag as well.
• Sign up for the email newsletter! We're shutting down the old Google Groups mailing list after LD49.
• We have a privacy policy and terms of service now (see footer). Check them out! Share feedback here.
• We are sponsored! Big thanks to Intel, GameMaker Studio 2, and Core for sponsoring Ludum Dare!
  • If you're commercializing an indie game, definitely check out the Intel Game Dev Boost. program.
  • Check out GameMaker Studio 2! One of the most popular & easiest ways to make 2D games. Get started
  • Update: Yes you are eligible to enter your Ludum Dare 49 games in this contest.
  • Check out Core! One of the fastest & easiest ways to make AAA qualty 3D multiplayer games. Get started
• Ludum Deals are back! Highlights include:
  • Free temporary GameMaker Studio 2 license with Desktop and Web exporting. :confetti_ball:
  • 20% off GMLive add-on (GameMaker Studio 2).
  • Full version of Construct 3 is free to use during Ludum Dare 49.
  • And more
• We're hiring! If you're a developer in Canada with PHP, JavaScript, and other skills—if you like remote work, health benefits, and flexible 30 hour weeks—if working on Ludum Dare and related projects interest you, check it out!

Keynote, hosted by Jupiter Hadley

This time I asked Jupiter Hadley to keynote. Not originally a game developer, but we first discovered her years ago when she started posting YouTube videos of her playing HUNDREDS of Ludum Dare games. Back then it was rare to catch anyone playing jam games on YouTube, and unheard of to see so many. Without a doubt, what she did inspired many people to continue in games, which in turn inspired her to continue as well. Here's Jupiter to tell her story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_IFDFYr3Dc

Thanks Jupiter for doing this, and thanks again for everything you do. :slight_smile:

Thank you to our Sponsors

We're thrilled to have 3 great sponsors for this event. Their support is enabling us to do some truly exciting things over the next few months. I can't wait to tell you all about them. :slight_smile:

Sponsored by: Intel

A big thanks to Intel for sponsoring Ludum Dare 49!

Check out the Intel Game Dev Boost program to do more with your games. More details can be found here.

Sponsored by: GameMaker Studio 2

A big thank you to GameMaker Studio 2 for sponsoring Ludum Dare 49!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JZAAbyUNsQ

We have temporary license keys available that give you full access to exporting for the Desktop and the Web, and we've collected some getting started resources here.

Finally, shout-out to Shaun Spalding (@shaunjs) for sharing his advice on using GameMaker Studio 2 in Ludum Dare.

UPDATE: YoYo Games just announced an additional contest you can enter your GameMaker games in

Sponsored by: Core

This came through at the last minute! Please check them out! A big thank you to Core for sponsoring Ludum Dare 49!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwN5cpsIG2g

Core is a fascinating game creation system that redefines how we make 3D online multiplayer games. It's beginner friendly, fast to iterate, and mature enough that professionals should take it seriously. I feel like this might become the tool of choice for some solo Jammers. Check-out my extended resources breakdown here.

Thank you (yes you) for being a part of this!

Thank you everyone for joining and sticking with us for the past 19 years. Thank you for being a part of this insane experiment started by a bunch of crazy internet friends. Thank you for putting up with me, your host and caretaker for over a decade.

Ludum Dare has been an obsession of mine for half my life. I was 21 when we started, and I'm 41 now. Growing up, I always hoped I'd be known for a game I created. I never expected to have a front row seat to a movement that would go on to change game development forever. Thank you for coming along with me on this journey, and I can't wait to see where it takes us next.

I owe another big thank you to our sponsors. Until a few months ago, I had never worked with sponsors before. I'm immensely grateful these companies had the patience to work with me. I invite you to please check them out to thank them for believing in us. Their support has gone a long way towards enabling us to grow the team and invest into making Ludum Dare even better.

I wish you all the best this weekend. I also invite you come back next year, April 1st-4th, to celebrate Ludum Dare's 20th anniversary with us.

- Mike Kasprzak, the "Ludum Dare guy"

Wrap-up

Thanks for reading! We will see you Friday with the Theme Announcement.