Animation Game Jam: A makeshift video game

What is it about?

The premise of the workshop is that not every video game should be a technically demanding 3D endeavor, and that the best digital works arise from a creative process that takes place in the physical world.

In the first part of the workshop, we will reflect on the history of first video games, 8-bit aesthetics and the concept of “sprites”, the animated elements that make the building blocks of 2D video games. This is the principle on which games such as Super Mario or Sonic the Hedgehog are functioning. Today, sprites can be made on the basis of any picture and animation: from photos and stop-trick techniques, to wooden crayons and animations drawn by hand. Each participant will choose his own animation technique and sprite method, which will then be digitized and converted into computer formats.

In the second part of the workshop, we will connect these sprites with code, using the P5 Play technology. This will be the most basic programing in Java script. The focus will not be on the code, but on the interactivity and the reaction to events. The final work will be a common game platform in the form of a simple website, which will integrate individual drawings, sprites, animations and software elements from all of the participants.

Participation in the workshop is free of charge, anyone interested can apply via the online form at http://bit.ly/2DecbCz . The deadline for applications is January 16^th at midnight. The workshop will begin on Friday, January 19^th (6PM-8PM), and continue during two Saturdays (January 20^th +27^th, from 10AM to 6PM).

Who is it for?

The workshop does not require any predispositions or skills. It is desirable for the students to be curious and to love making things. It is also desirable that the group of participants will feature individuals with diverse knowledge, skills and interests, such as design, architecture, film, drawing, programming, photography, UI / UX …

What's in it for me?

In the workshop etitled Animation Game Jam, which will be held on January 19^th, 20^th and 27^th, Uroš Krčadinac will teach you how to transform your manual and analogue visual creations – drawings, sketches, photography and animation – into a simple 2D video game for the web.