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CPL Game Jam

From Monday, January 22nd to Sunday, January 28th patrons ages 12 – 20 are invited to participate in the Catskill Public Library Game Jam!

What is a game jam?

Game jams are events held worldwide to encourage game making from start to finish! The most popular game jam is organized by Global Game Jam, Inc. The Catskill Public Library is not associated or sponsored by Global Game Jam, Inc, Scratch, or Twine.

Game jams emphasize collaboration and experimentation. The goal is not to come out of the jam with a perfect game! The goal is to create something.

Who can participate?

The 2024 CPL Game Jam is open to anyone ages 12 – 20.

Registration is required. Participants may register by following this link: REGISTER

Important: Participants may enter the raffle as individuals or as teams, but may not enter more than once. If a team decides to enter the raffle, one member must be designated to collect the book prize if they are drawn.

Raffle Drawings

For every completed game participants may submit themselves or their team to enter a prize raffle for one of two game design and coding books.

Please submit completed 2024 CPL Game Jam projects here: 2024 CPL Game Jam Project Submission

Names will be drawn by Wednesday, January 31st. Raffle winners will have three days to confirm their winning. If staff do not receive a confirmation, another name will be drawn.

The prizes for the raffle are:

  • The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell
  • “DK Help Your Kids” series:
    • Coding Games in Python
    • Coding Games in Scratch
    • Coding Projects in Scratch

How does the CPL Game Jam work?

For one week, participants will work individually or in groups to create an online game using the free online software Scratch or Twine. For every completed game, they may submit themselves or their team to enter a prize raffle for one of two game design and coding books.

Participants may also submit their completed games to be hosted on or linked from the Catskill Public Library website. Only games that do not breach the Patron Code of Conduct will be considered for hosting on the Catskill Public Library website.

While both Scratch and Twine require internet access to use, participants do not need to use personal devices. Participants are welcome to use the computers and wifi at the Catskill Public Library and Palenville Branch Library.

Important: We strongly urge users to download their projects to a backup device, such as a flash drive or cloud storage. Library computers automatically delete all history when logged off and will not save game data.

Game creating programs:

What is Scratch?

Scratch is a free software developed by MIT and the non-profit the Scratch Foundation. It is designed to teach coding concepts using a visual interface. Scratch is designed for children but can and has been used by coding beginners of all ages!

To learn more about Scratch, please follow this link: https://scratch.mit.edu/about

Important: To save work in Scratch, users may save their projects to their computers by going to ‘File’ -> ‘Save to your computer’. We strongly urge users to download their projects to a backup device, such as a flash drive or cloud storage. Library computers automatically delete all history when logged off and will not save game data.

What is Twine?

Twine is a free open-source software that allows users to create interactive stories (think ‘choose your own adventure!’). No knowledge of coding is necessary, but games and stories created in Twine can be expanded by use of common coding languages.

To learn more about Twine, please follow this link: https://twinery.org/

Important: To save work in Twine, users may save their projects to their computers using the ‘archive’ function. We strongly urge users to download their projects to a backup device, such as a flash drive or cloud storage. Library computers automatically delete all history when logged off and will not save game data.

Which should I choose?

Both Scratch and Twine-made entries will be accepted for the 2024 game jam. Choosing one or the other depends on personal preference! We suggest participants take time to experiment with both software to see which they like best. There is no penalty for not completing a game, or for switching software during the game jam.

Scratch is specifically designed for beginners interested in coding and visual games (like platformers!).

Twine is a little more complicated to start with and is commonly used for interactive stories.

Connect with the
Catskill Public Library

Hours:
Monday: 9am-5pm
Tuesday: 11am-6:30pm
Wednesday: 11am-6:30pm
Thursday: 11am-6:30pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-2pm
Sunday: CLOSED

Connect with the
Palenville Branch Library

Hours:
Monday: 9am-12pm
Tuesday: 11am-5pm
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 11am-7pm
Friday: 11am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-1pm
Sunday: CLOSED

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