Game Devs + Rapid Prototyping

#ArmedForcesJam

Nov 4th – 7th

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48 Hours to Rapid Prototype Games & Simulations for the Armed Forces

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What is the Armed Forces Jam?

It’s THE collaborative Game Dev Event that
works closely with the Armed Forces held annually in Florida

Armed·Forces·Jam
noun
1. an event in which individuals come together in a physical environment and attempt to rapidly prototype a game (video or otherwise) focused on some element of the challenges faced by the various branches of the Armed Forces in a limited amount of time; She was on the team that made that awesome game I love at the Armed Forces Jam!

This will be the 1st ever Armed Forces Jam, and we’re excited to bring this event to fruition with the amazing resources we have within Orlando & the Central Florida region for our Armed Forces and the Modeling Simulation & Training. We’re going to bring fun challenges to create Armed Forces focused games as well as cutting edge simulations, and a great opportunity to connect with an amazing crop of talent, mentors & leaders from both the Armed Forces, MS&T and Video Game industry. This is your chance to build something extraordinary with talented peers from all over Central Florida. Become part of a team or stay a lone wolf charting a course to fun and excitement.

Everyone is welcome to participate throughout the 48-hour Jam. We’re looking for artists, programmers, game designers, UI & UX designers, sound designers, writers, poets, interpretive dancers, people excited about games, people excited about improving our armed forces, people who like to eat pizza, and people like you. Register today and get ready to jam!

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

The Battlefield is dangerous, This Jam doesn’t have to be

Temperature Check

Attendees will pass through a centralized gate where someone will check your temperature. Have a fever? Sorry you’ll have to work from home!

Wash Hands

We don’t have to be right on top of each other. Lets keep 3 feet / 1M of distance between us where possible

Face Masks

When you’re walking around away from your home base please be courteous and wear a mask. Having your mask off while eating or seated at your desk is ok

Vaccinations

If you’re vaccinated, thank you! If you’re not yet, please wear a mask at all times. We will have them available.

So how does the event go?

Through the chaos of development comes something beautiful

Pitch your idea

Have a great idea, or know someone who does? Everyone is welcome to pitch their game ideas to the group. The best ideas will forge their teams and be on their way to building games over the weekend!

Form Dev Teams

Don’t have an existing game development team? No problem! We will form teams at the event. All skills and skill levels welcome. Also remember to bring your own development equipment.

Build your Game

Developing games in 48 hours is hard, exhausting, and laborious work that is also collaborative, thought provoking, exciting, rewarding, and fun.

Our 48-Hour Mission

Central Florida is brimming with tech talent- you know it, we know it; it’s time to work together and let everyone else know it!

Our goal is to bring together people from various creative and technical fields to develop fun games that generate excitement among the public about space travel & exploration. Our dream is that these same individuals find new ways to work together and form lasting relationships. We hope to put the national spotlight on Central Florida and show off our unique combinations of talent and, even more, that the games we make help promote interest in STEAM education to the generations that will carry these concepts into the future.

Challenge Categories

Below are a few of the categories teams can form around to create solutions for and tackle.

Collaborative Simulation

A local or networked multiplayer experience focused on teamwork towards a training need.

AI / Machine Learning

An automated simulation experience with that dosn’t require external input to facilitate training.

PTSD

An experience addressing trauma symptoms, treatment and recovery for active and retired military.

Gamification in Training

A simulated experience for training that immerses the user through engaging gameplay and UX

Creator Tools

An experience centered around a tools for optimizing the design process of a simulation
(i.e., world building tool and the game can be centered around building the world then moving throughout it)

Cyber for Everyperson

Cyber training for the workforce largely focuses on prevention. This means training that ends up being esoteric and hard to remember practices. Skill decay happens fast because we don’t really understand why we need to keep doing these annoying steps. Put the employee in the seat of the cyber victim or attacker walking them through some of the most common attacks and social engineering tricks used to compromise our security.

Data Interpretation

Create a data visualization experience dynamically populating content based on a data-table filled out before runtime

Are you ready to join in?

Food everyday, Working with awesome talented people, working on something cool like Space Games, lasting connections & opportunities

Register Now!

Event Agenda

Get ready for an action packed 48 Hours but before that are several events throughout the month!

We have a variety of events as part of the Armed Forces Jam festivities.

Our Launch Night / kick-off party on Thursday featuring:
– A night of interesting talks from the Armed Forces & video game industry

Thurs - Nov 4th 6PM - Armed Forces Kick-Off Night (Night of Talks)

Fri - Nov 5th - Concept Pitches + Build your Teams

Sat - Nov 6th - The Grind Continues

Sun - Nov 7th 6pm - Project Wrap Up + Final Showcase

Thurs - Nov 4th 6PM - Armed Forces Kick-Off Night (Night of Talks)

Let’s kick off the weekend with a night of interesting and inspiring talks about the Armed Forces, Simulation & Video Games. If you’re a game developer, use this night as inspiration for your pitch on Friday. If you’re a part of the Armed Force industry use this opportunity to further learn about the interactivity and potential of games. If you’re just a fan or enthusiast of games, military or innovation, just enjoy the night of drinks, food, and amazing company.

Venue – Central Florida Tech Grove

6:00pm – Event begins with mingling and drinks.
7:00pm – Event Intro & Keynote Talks
9:00pm – Enjoy chatting with everyone as the talks end

Fri - Nov 5th - Concept Pitches + Build your Teams

The night you chart a course for fun & excitement. Have an idea? Pitch it. Heard an awesome idea? Join a team.
As is with most jams, remember to bring your own development gear.

Venue – Central Florida Tech Grove

6:30pm – Event begins with mingling, drinks and dinner
7:00pm – Event Intro
7:30pm – Game Pitches begin
9:00pm – Teams Assemble, Ideas Planned and Begin work
11:00pm – Go Home!

Sat - Nov 6th - The Grind Continues

The non-stop game building action remains non-stop, except for the times you have to stop for food and ask for help.

Venue – Central Florida Tech Grove

8:00am – Doors Open, Breakfast/Coffee
12:30pm – Lunch / Status Updates / Call for Help
6:30pm – Dinner
11:00pm- Go Home!

Sun - Nov 7th 6pm - Project Wrap Up + Final Showcase

The hard work hopefully looks like it is forming into something recognizable as fun. Success or failure, hopefully you learned something. Tonight, you will present your team’s game concept for everyone to enjoy!
Venue – Central Florida Tech Grove

8:00am – Doors Open, Breakfast/Coffee
12:00pm – Lunch and Status Updates / Call for Help
4:30pm – Complete Game Projects, Begin Project Uploads
5:30pm – Dinner & Technical Check with presentations over the projector
7:30pm – Team Presentations Begin
9:00pm – Go Home!

This is a highly collaborative event dedicated
to creating fun, exciting & innovative games
to help tackle challenges in the Armed Forces

Organized by The Indienomicon Foundation

For over 8 years our experienced team comprised of local industry leaders are dedicated toward bringing you the greatest collaborative event possible.

‘I had a really great time. The [game jam event] you guys put on continues to be a great way for new people to get into the community and for anyone in the area to meet other local developers. Everyone organizing it helps make it a fun, lighthearted and enjoyable experience.

S.B. Game Jam Attendee

Compelling Games require
a smart mix of combined skills

Helpful Skills

Programming

Are your algorithms Karplus-Strong? Take this opportunity to show everyone the strength of your Programming Kung Fu by creating an epically optimized galactic adventure!

Game Design

Have you got game? In your head? About space? And you just need to get it out, with the support of a strong team? Join one of ours!

Art

Artists wanted: 2D or 3D and must have skills (middling to mad; negotiable) and ability to have fun while creating serious space beauty. Come get your art on!

Music

Great music and sound effects have the capacity to truly transform a game into an experience. Jams aren’t just for programmers- musicians & audio engineers wanted!

UI / UX Design

Is the rest of your team so worried about finishing that they haven’t even considered usability? Did they forget the astronaut needs access to a restroom? Perhaps… It is your time to shine.

Armed Forces Expertise

You certainly couldn’t have an Armed Forces Jam without some bonafide professionals! If you’re a veteran, active duty member of the military, or professional within a defense industry contractor then we need your insights, guidance and support. Join a team or consult with them all!

Motion & Video

Quickly generate excitement for your team’s game with an awesome, funny, inspiring, silly, educational, or all-of-the-above trailer- here’s an example from a previous game jam!

Marketing/ PR/ Promotion

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound? You get the idea- our teams need exposure! If you are a mad social scientist, bring your promotional knowledge to the table. Without advertising, a terrible thing happens- nothing!

Technology

Games can require a lot of interaction & integration with various technologies, PC, Mac, Mobile Phones, Tablets, SDKs, APIs, Plugins, Consoles and kitchen sinks. If you can leap these hurdles in a single bound, then we need you!

Are you an organization within the US Armed Forces or company interested in the Defense Industry?

Be a part of this event. With your help we can discover innovative and sometimes unconventional concepts that can help our Armed Forces, and Orlando is the place to do it!

We’d also love for you to participate in our Innovation & Diversifier Challenges: You provide us a set of goals or initiatives and watch as some of our development teams take them on, building games incorporating the elements in which you are interested. Who knows?
Interested?