Beaver Gam Jam

Hi GameDev community,

I’m reaching out for advice as we’re looking to organise a game jam that blends creativity with conservation! I work for Cornwall Wildlife Trust, a local wildlife charity in the UK, and we want to engage younger and more diverse audiences, as well as promote the incredible benefits of wild beavers as eco-engineers.

The Vision

The game jam would focus on creating games that highlight the role of beavers in restoring ecosystems, such as reducing flooding, improving biodiversity, and creating habitats. By using the gaming medium, we aim to spark conversations about reintroducing wild beavers and their importance in our landscapes.

What We Need Help With

We’re new to the game development space, so we’d love your advice on:

  1. How to Create a Game Jam
    • What are the first steps?
    • What platforms/tools (e.g., itch.io) are best for hosting a national game jam?
    • Should it be themed or open-ended, and how much guidance should we provide participants?
  2. Who to Speak To
    • Are there key organisations, communities, or influencers in the gaming world we should connect with?
    • How do we attract developers, artists, and students who might be interested?
  3. Promotion and Outreach
    • What’s the best way to reach the gaming community and ensure good participation?
    • How do we make this engaging for people who may not already know about wildlife conservation?
  4. Logistics and Timing
    • How long does it typically take to organise a game jam?
    • Is there an ideal duration for the event (e.g., 48 hours, a week)?
    • What are common pitfalls to avoid?
  5. Other Considerations
    • What makes a game jam successful and memorable?
    • Are there specific prizes or incentives that tend to resonate with participants?

Why We’re Doing This

We’re passionate about wildlife conservation and want to use the power of games to reach new audiences, inspire creativity, and raise awareness about the need to reintroduce wild beavers. While we’re based in Cornwall, we hope this game jam can have national reach, drawing participants from across the UK (and maybe beyond!).

If you’ve hosted, participated in, or know about game jams, we’d love to hear your experiences and any advice you can share. Feel free to drop links, resources, or just general thoughts.

Thanks in advance for your help!