Sneak A Peek from Global Game Jam 2014 Semarang

Compared with other regions, Semarang is the latest region which gets approval from Global Game Jam 2014 (GGJ 2014) centre committee to become one of the sites in Indonesia. Moreover the great flood that happens in Semarang several days before the GGJ event day impairs the access to the site. However, this doesn’t reduce the participants who join Global Game Jam 2014 Semarang. Even by the record, Semarang has great amount of participants, 44 participants registered both in centre and regional committee.

During GGJ 2014 event, from 44 participants registered only 39 participants attend the event. However, there are only 37 participants who complete the event series until last day. “There are two participants who retire because they are sick, and one participant is finally jamming alone in the house because of the flood.”, says Wandah WIbawanto, one of Global Game Jam 2014 Semarang’s committees. This event in Semarang is presented differently from GGJ 2014 event in other regions because they don’t stand by for three days two nights fully on the site. “GGJ Semarang’s participants do not stay overnight on site, so we start the event from 9 am and finished on 7.30 pm.”, Wandah continues.

From 39 participants who attend and join the Game Jam, finally grouped six teams, each consists of six participants, plus one participant who develops game alone in the house. From those six teams and one participant, finally creates seven games in the end of Game Jam event. “One team finally is decided to have six members and divided into six teams because there is lack of programmer who attend GGJ Semarang, only six persons, while mostly others are graphics developer (artwork),” Wandah states.

For GGJ 2014 event series besides it is filled with game developing activities together, committee also holds some workshops to help the participants. “Different with GGJ in other regions, Semarang is still junior about game development, moreover in short time. So we try to guide the participants by giving workshop in event opening session (9 am) and closing session (7 pm). This workshop is about game dev, sound for game, developing game for Android and team management.”, explains Wandah.

Wandah himself states that he is satisfied enough with the games created by this Game Jam in Semarang, moreover mostly the participants are still relatively new in game development world. “Although the concept developed is very simple, but I am satisfied seeing participants’ background who has never been involved in developing game”, says Wandah. Wandah also states there is obstacle in internet connection, which makes Semarang absent to do live streaming like done in another region. However, if you are curious with how Game Jam condition in Semarang, you can check it out via short video below.

So, how about the games successfully created by Semarang jammers? Let’s go to next page!

From six teams formed plus one participant who is jamming alone in the house because trapped by flood, finally GGJ 2014 Semarang successfully creates seven games as below.

Alien Skate

One participant trapped in flood and jamming alone in his house is Muhammad Faizin who finally creates this Alien Skate game. Game developed using Adobe Flash with AIR is dedicated for Android platform. This game uses accelerometer and finger swipe to move alien as the main character. Your task is to avoid garbage cans available along the street. You will get point if you succeed, or your game will be over if the alien falls down because it hits trash can. You can try this game in your Android gadget by downloading the file here.

Angkringan

Angrkingan is developed by seven persons, Andik, Sena, Codenization, Abimahan, Lukman Hakim, Umam, and Jasson (who often fills Kuliah Om Jas column in Duniaku). Suitable with its title, Angkringan describes snack stalls which can be found in Central Java and Jogjakarta. Angkringan offers various food and beverages, like intestines sate, coffee, iced tea, etc. this game is a simulation for the traders in Angkringan and teaches how to sell the things well and optimize the profit by selling in Amgkringan. Not only unique, this game also contains education! This game developed for PC and Android can be tried by downloading it here.

Corruptor Hunter

Suitable with its name, game developed by Robert Ardi, Deni Nugroho, Laras Safitri, Bambang and Miki tells a story about a corruptor hunter. Yes, this game invites us to eradicate corruptor, at least through this game. You only need to hit corruptor’s head which appears from the hole to get a score. More score you can get, you can get chance to win award. If you want to save Indonesia from corruptor, you can try this game developed for PC platform by downloading it here.

Flood Rescuer

Several days before GGJ event, Semarang suffers from great flood. That thing may inspire Irfan Firdaus, Muam and Murtiningsih to make this Flood Rescuer. In this simulation game, you play the role as a rescue group member who has to save the victims from flood. More victims you save, more score you get. You can try this game for PC by downloading it here.

Fortune Land

This game is developed by six persons, Jasson, Codesyntizer, Dawam, Iza, Haris, Dheg, and Cwidiant. This game tells a story about a candidate who has to win a campaign by putting the party’s flag as many as possible in the cities. This game can be played with multiplayer, where several people will fight the city to become the winner. If you get dice thrown which makes you put flag in other candidate’s city, the city becomes yours. Player who has the most city amount will be the winner. Game developed by Android can be tried by downloading it here.

Mad Bull Rodeo

Wandah Wibawanto also doesn’t pass the opportunity in this GGJ Semarang 2014 to participate in jamming and create this Mad Bull Rodeo. This game’s purpose is simple enough, you only need to hold on as long as possible riding the bull. To hold on riding the bull, you need to balance the cowboy by moving your Android device because this game uses available accelerometer feature. This game can be tried directly on your gadget by downloading this apk file here.

Rapid Rabbit

This game is developed by Andrew, Eka Aditia, Selvia, Fathoni, Edwin, Aditya Dany, Wahyu, plus Jasson who becomes the composer again. In this game, you have to direct the rabbit to reach the finish line and collect the carrots along the journey. Side scrolling game developed for PC and Android can be played by downloading it here.

Are you curious with jammers’ game creation from other cities? Stay tune on the report in Duniaku.net!