A Message From Gritfish

I announced the Public Domain Jam a month ago as a reaction to the over-use of some themes in the indie game scene, but since then, I've been flooded with nothing but enthusiasm from people over their love of works in the public domain.

One developer has planned to make a game based on Kalevipoeg, an Estonian folk tale with some similarities to America's Paul Bunyan. Another has planned a game based on the story of Lysistrata, where the women of Greece withhold sex from their husbands and lovers to force them to negotiate peace and it all goes hilariously wrong. I can't wait to see what other stories will turn up.

I'm happy to announce that the Public Domain Jam will now be boasting a $1000 prize for the highest rated CC Zero game!

This will be the first game jam on itch.io to support the releasing of games, their source code and assets under the Creative Commons Zero (CC Zero) waiver. This means anyone is free to download, remix and reshare those games.

Nicky Case, creator of indie game "Nothing To Hide" and organiser of the Open Game Art Bundle, has donated the prize to support the creation of games like these, and their release under the Creative Commons Zero waiver.

The Engine Co. have also joined us in supporting open development, and are offering free Loom Turbo subscription (the premium edition of their cross-platform game engine, valued at $500) to the winning entry of every rating category (best art, best sound, best use of theme, etc.), and are giving a free month of Loom Turbo to anyone who wants to use it in the jam.

If you're interested in using Loom SDK for the jam, sign up for a free account HERE, and send an email to ben[DOT]garney[AT]gmail[DOT]com.

Finally, the top 100 games overall will receive a copy of the Kenney donation pack, a bundle of free to use art and sound assets.