Game jam contest puts your game in front of big-name judges

A novel new take on the "game jam" that takes inspiration from reality shows has attracted a number of respected game industry luminaries to judge the finalists for its cash prize. Mojang's Markus "Notch" Persson (Minecraft), Thatgamecompany co-founder Kellee Santiago (Journey, Flower), Double Fine's Ron Gilbert (The Secret of Monkey Island, the upcoming The Cave), Beamdog's Trent Oster (Neverwinter Nights, Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition), independent developer Jason Rohrer (Passage, Sleep is Death), Playdead's Dino Patti (Limbo) and Minority's Vander Caballero (Papo & Yo) will judge the seven finalist games from a series of 48-hour game jams taking place between now and January 6. Those finalists will then be judged by noted internet critic Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw for a $2,500 prize. For a $25 entry fee, teams of one to four developers can start an impromptu 48-hour jam at any time, and must complete a game before their time is up. In a reality show-like twist, teams will be randomly assigned "variables" that become mandatory elements in their games as soon as the project begins, the inclusion of which is scored heavily by the judges. Entry is open now on the Indie Speed Run site.