I'm flying solo this time around. Using my usual tools for game dev:

• Coding in C++ with SFML 2.5.1
• Using GIMP for graphics
• SFXR & BFXR for sound effects
• Abundant Music for music
• Trello

Based on past history of worst themes being picked - I predict sky pirates. :map: :palm_tree:

I have entered several times, but I don't think I managed to finish a game yet. I hope this time it will be different.

20 years, Ludum Dare 50. How could I not get involved?

No plans for the weekend so theme permitting I think I might make a short point and click adventure. In a classic 9-verb adventure gaming mood at the moment.

I've been working on a new NES tool over the past few months, and I'm thinking about using this next Ludum Dare to give it a trial run myself! I won't have the full weekend this time so it'll probably be pretty short compared to past entries.

If you're wondering what to build with, you're welcome to give it a shot too! The goal is to let you make a basic game in an hour or so. (And I'll be around on twitter and discord much of the weekend if you get stuck)

Here it is: NES Puzzle Maker

Was going to write a traditional "I'm in" post until I realised it's my 10th Ludum Dare! How time flies - by the way that equates to starting Ludum Dare in 2017, so another milestone: 5 years of Ludum Dare 🎉

Echoes

Because who wants to find a new wallpaper every jam :D

The inspiration for using elements came from @niterich's wallpaper, which seemed to be going for a similar style.

Nice to be here, lets go for and other game dev project !

First time in Ludum Dare. Game Dev is my hobby. I will participate with a friend. Using Unity and Blender. From Zaragoza, Spain. Have a nice Jam!

Bad news: Mate's got corona so no bachelor party for him. :( Good news: I'm now free for this LD Jam. :)

I just recently started playing around with some game development. I kept telling myself that I wasn't proficient enough to be able to make something over a weekend. But then I thought, if not now, then when? 50 is a nice anniversary to start my journey. I don't have any expectations except to have some fun!

Edit: anyone that knows where to find a link to the discord?

This'll be my 5th Compo, and my first one since LD30! It's been a while, and my gamedev skills are still a bit rusty, but I'm going to be using Godot this time so hopefully that'll help smooth over some of the rusty parts of my skills. I definitely feel unprepared and it's been so long since my last that I don't remember if I just always feel unprepared beforehand, so I'm ready to go!

At least this go around I can just use Itch for web hosting, as that was always a hang-up at the last minute. Planning on doing a HTML5 export as that is usually the easiest way for people to test a game out.

• Engine: Godot
• Graphics: Aseprite or Inkscape
• Sound: Gonna try LabChirp
• Music: Klystracker or Bitwig

from the jam-games I played and the game I made last time, window size is usually quite random, everyone uses what feels right. I understand that different games might require different resolutions, but in general what is a good practice to follow when choosing the size for your game's window so it works smoothly on everyones computer (I'm mainly talking about the size and not the resolution, because generally the resolution/viewport could get stretched to fit the size of the window)

Low effort version - I just copied out the SVG and created a high-res PNG, or just PrintScreen

https://johnnysix.net/hosted/ludum/

Hi! This is my 3rd time joining Ludum Dare. Got some free time, so might as well join in on the fun. Will be trying out the Extra jam, looking forward to it :smile:

Hey all, hope the excitement for LD this weekend is building nicely. I wanted to share part 2 of my LD49 let's plays, with the first game being a physical game to be played by dice which was made by @marcmagus.

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

I think its great that people make all types of games for Ludum Dare - and despite most participants making video games, I always enjoy a board game / physical game! The challenge is making it accessible for folk, though sometimes tools like Tabletop Simulator can help with that!

Hey everyone! I'm looking forward to jamming with you all!

This isn't my first rodeo and I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone makes!

May the best game win!

You can check out my social media and past entries below!

• Website
• Twitter
• itch
• Gamejolt

Ludum Dare 47

Fancy Trash

Ludum Dare 46

The Flame

Ludum Dare 45

Real-time Gardener

Ludum Dare 43

Dark Roads

Ludum Dare 42

When Life Gives You Lemons

Ludum Dare 41

Super Slime Slasher Ultra

Ludum Dare 40

Cult Classic

Hello all

I plan on joining LD50. I've been looking forward to it for a long time. I've participated twice before. I'll be joining doing the compo as it's the most straight-forward thing for me. I do a bit of everything, but outside of LD I write music, music for games, make video games and photography.

Tools

Music: FL Studio 20

"Art": Asesprite

Dev. tool: Construct 3 (if you haven't tried it, it's usually free during Ludum Dare)

Sfx: Usually end up being a mix of things I make in FL Studio as well as library effects etc.

Previous entries

For LD46 I made the game Eggbert:

For LD48 I made Wilford, which is still in development. The scope is much larger than the previous game.

Good luck to you all with the projects that will be born this weekend :)

I did a lot of game jams in the past 10 years and have more then 10+ Ludum Dare entries. Here are my 10 tips for you if you are doing a jam the first time:

1. Be prepared

It is important that you are starting prepared in a game jam. Don’t install the latest version of your game engine or IDE 5 mins before the jam is starting. Create and prepare everything you need before the jam starts.Doing those upgrades to late or in the jam can lead to time problems because you are more fixing your problems than creating a game.

2. Know your toolset

You are having only 48h to create a game. It is really important that you know your tools. Know your programming language, know how the tools you want to use are working, know how to export your game or how you have to use a version control system. If you struggle sit down before and practice.

3. Don’t think too big

People are really often underestimating 48 hours. Find a game that is doable in 48h. A tip can be to find a game idea with only one core mechanic. Not more. If you have time left you can add more stuff at the end.

4. Prototyping

Try when you are starting with your game to have a runnable and playable prototype working as fast a possible. Don’t spend to much time into the first feature of your game with polished graphics, nice sounds, etc. It happens too often that you have to change the idea of your game and throwing parts of it away. If you had then spent 5 hours into creating the best possible inventory system you can … this would be waste of time.

5. Have a timeline

48h is not much time. If you think about it then you will see that 48h are nearly no time. It is not only the character that has to run around. Think about points like Inventory System, Animations, Game Logic, Game States, Restart Level, Score Counter, Menu System, Interactions, Game Over / Win States, etc.

A good tip is to have a playable prototype done by the end of the first day. On the second day, you have time to do all the bug fixing, polishing, etc.

6. Work healthy

Get enough sleep and eat healthy food while you are in a game jam. People tend to not sleep from Saturday to Sunday or eating only fast food. In my opinion, this is the biggest failure you can do. Stay healthy and plan enough breaks over the day. Take a short 10mins walk outside. You will be surprised what these 10mins are giving to you. It is a game jam and should be fun.

7. Have a web version

This is not a must have but people underestimating the power of a web version. If you have only an installable downloadable version of your game people are sometimes not willed to play your game. They have to download it, extract it from a zip / rar file and then install it. People are afraid of getting a virus on their pc etc. If possible try to have a web version ready. You will see that you will get tons of additional comments/ratings when people need only one click to play your game.

8. One Minute Rule

Don’t forget that people are rating after the Ludum Dare tons of games. Normally more than 2000+ games are created over one weekend. Get sure that a person who is playing your game is able to understand your game in under one minute. If you are lucky the person will play your game maybe 2 or 3 minutes.

If people are not able to understand your game in the first minute they tend to not play it. The tip here is to explain your game mechanics and the game controls well directly at the beginning.

9. Rate games

Rating games after the Ludum Dare is an important point. Playing and rating a lot of games in the first 48h after the jam can be a good idea. Don't speedrun ratings. Take your time. It is also normal if you have rated a game that this person is also rating your game. Try to give constructive neutral feedback.

10. Listen

Listen to the feedback. The Ludum Dare community is a nice one. You have hobby game developers here and people who are doing this every day at work. Listen to the feedback people are writing as a comment under your game. Maybe plan to create a second version of your game after the Ludum Dare implementing all the feedback you got. This can help you a lot in jumping your skills forward.