There is a new game battle coming to the capital region that is sure to be a win-win for everyone involved.
The inaugural MADJAM 2015 is a game development jam that champions individuals to form teams and create a game in 48 hours.
Produced by MADSOFT Games, this competition focuses on bringing together the local gaming community to explore elements of creativity, collaboration and experimentation.
MADSOFT is an Edmonton-based video development company that focuses on building bigger and better browser-based gaming experiences.
The MADJAM battle of the best takes place Jan. 23 to 25 at Startup Edmonton in the Mercer Building.
MADSOFT co-founder Andrew-David Jahchan, humorously dubbed the battleship commander, was inspired to start the event after moving here and finding a scarcity of gamer events.
“There were few meet-ups. We want to create an environment where start-up companies can help other small studios and students can establish themselves,” says Jahchan.
MADJAM encourages hobbyists as well as emerging and professional game developers to get involved.
“This is open to visual artists, animators, developers, designers, composers, writers and voice actors and anyone else who is interested.”
Participants are asked to register as individuals at www.madjam.ca. A system similar to speed dating is set up where developers meet potential colleagues and form teams.
“If you are used to working with the same team, you’re not learning anything new. If you want to work in gaming, you will need to work with different people and this is a good way to experience that.”
Jahchan also noted that picking the right team members makes a big difference in the quality of work produced.
“Teamwork is critical when you are under pressure. You also get some of your most creative ideas at that time.”
MADSOFT was formed after Jahchan met Jose Jimenez (executive producer) on an online forum in 2008. Jahchan was ensconced in Montreal, Jimenez in New York.
Working via telecommunications, they purchased a limited liability company in New Jersey and a year later they were working on client projects. By 2010, the game development company was shifting direction to creating only in-house projects.
“What we do is entirely creative and doing client work restricted our creativity and we did not want that to represent what MADSOFT does.”
The following year in 2011, the company moved its head office to Montreal. Jimenez had a growing young family and Jahchan was put in charge of projects and team management.
While the move northward proved easier to manage the company, external forces were changing the landscape.
“There was more competition in Montreal. There were many triple A companies such as Warner Brothers, Eidos Games and Ubi,” explains Jahchan.
In addition, the political climate was becoming restrictive.
“We were getting bigger and bigger. There were new laws coming in saying we had to develop projects in French and we had to communicate in French. At work, we all communicate in English. It was getting tough and we left.”
In February 2013, the company moved west to Edmonton.
“We picked Edmonton because it has so much potential. There was only one triple A company, Bioware, but there were many start-up groups. There’s a lot of game development but none that’s established. All have room to grow and we thought we can inject ourselves into it.”
MADSOFT hopes to launch its first big project this year. Project: Velyria is a science fiction game with fantasy elements about beings that escape from a dying planet in search of new home.
“It’s a browser-based, multi-layer game that can have thousands playing at the same time. If you’re capable of using Facebook, you can play the game.”
For the next week, the MADJAM gaming event will be his main focus. At the moment, 49 participants are registered. Jahchan hopes 60 to 100 potential developers sign up.
While competitors are holed up at Startup Edmonton, they will be provided with cots and food. For the curious, the competition will be live-streamed on the Internet.
Professionals from Bioware and Edmonton Digital Arts will judge the games. The top three teams will win a series of prizes.
Jahchan has also booked three more MADJAMS this year – GDX Super Jam in April, the Unity Game Jam in July and Edmonton Extra Life Jam in Oct.
At all events, prizes will be awarded to the three top teams. Individual developers will also receive points. The person with the highest number of points at the end of the year is scheduled to receive some hefty swag.
Registrants are accepted up to Jan. 23. Startup Edmonton is located at 10359 – 104 St.
