Moray Game Jam: No Loading Required
As we take the summer to look back at our favourite moments from the past year, we sat down with Moray Game Jam competitors, Cari and Scott, to find out more about their MGJ experience.
You both have taken part in a few Moray Games Jams now; can you start about telling us how you found out about the jam?
We’re from team No Loading Required. Initially we heard about it through university peers in 2016, and we’ve gone to every jam since. We heard about it coming back after COVID via twitter and Instagram.
The team have won a few times over the years, how did this year’s event compare?
The experience is always excellent, it’s the best game jam in Scotland. The staff are lovely, they look out for everyone by providing snacks and safe places to sleep, and there’s a clear itinerary of the weekend so you can plan your jamming.
It’s great to have the judging and the gaming playground. I wish the playground was a little longer, but I also wish there was a bit of R&R time between judging and that, as sometimes you go in very exhausted from the weekend and with not a lot of time to sort your rooms out for the cleaners.
The audience award is a nice addition, it really helps to diversify the winners and we were super happy for the team who won the board game audience vote as they just looked so proud and happy!
Generally, we find the MGJ to have excellent themes (way better than global game jam!). Personally, we found this year's theme to be the weakest we’ve had, but that is just an opinion! A lot of the other ones were very open to interpretation; “United we stand, divided we fall” and “the first line of a book” were stand-out themes for us. “Up, up and away” felt a bit more restrictive and ended up with a lot of plane and spaceship themed games.
What’s your favourite part of Moray Game Jam?
Our favourite part is just the whole experience of making a game with our friends over a weekend. It’s one of the highlights of our year and we always have a great time. The whole experience of being completely absorbed in creating and making something we’re proud of is the best part.
2025 plans have started what advice would you have for anything thinking of taking part?
We’d recommend to anyone to do it, it's a great experience and one of the nicest communities of jammers and staff.
Moray Game Jam brings together gaming enthusiasts from across the country, industry leaders and educators for 48-hours of creativity, collaboration, and fun. You can learn more by visiting the link below.