For any developers that are heading out to GDC in 2017, there’s a unique game jam that’s worth experiencing: Train Jam. Now running for its 4th year, this game jam starts on an Amtrak train in Chicago on February 23rd, 2017, and over ~52 hours, game developers jam out games based on a particular theme as they travel across the country to San Francisco. This coming Train Jam promises to be a bellweather year as organizers Adriel Wallick and John Lindvay have officially teamed up with Amtrak and now have a train all to themselves. I imagine it was quite the sight for a random train traveler to just see a bunch of nerds on laptops making games, but no longer! This does mean that seat options have expanded greatly as they have the entire train that can be reserved. As well, more people will be able to obtain tickets than in previous years where spaces were very limited. Do note that tickets are still sure to go fast when they start selling on November 24th, so interested developers should sign up quickly when ticket sales open up.
Day 2: let's get this party started! Come check out this year's Train Jam games on the 3rd floor of Moscone West! pic.twitter.com/aVoPob41E3
— Train Jam (@IndieTrainJam) March 15, 2016
Games made during Train Jam will once again have a spot at GDC 2017 where attendees can play what these enterprising railriders have created. Do note that Train Jam is just a one-way train ticket from Chicago to San Francisco, so participants are required to find their way to Chicago, back from GDC, get a GDC pass, etc. And this is a train, so unless you get a room with a bed, hope you’re fine with sleeping in a chair. And there aren’t any showers, so yeah, it’s not for agoraphobes and those who demand a daily shower.
Still, pretty much everyone who talks about the experience has been a big fan, and there’s the opportunity for so many more people to check it out for the first time with the entire train being available. Any interested developers should keep their eyes peeled for ticket sales to begin on November 24th at 4:00 PM Central European Time, though qualifying developers can apply for diversity initiatives before then. And if you’re interested in seeing what previous creators have created, the 2016 Train Jam games (including some Android titles) are on itch.io, and the rest are on the Train Jam website.
I think it will be more fun and challenging when you can actually drive to the pit stop and the pit crew start working on your car and then you can play some interactive mini games in there such changing tires or refill the gasoline that can affect the weight of your car
Awful idea. Why to play a mini game in 2 seconds? Why to refill in f1 2016?
Why not talk about the lack of controller support?
I believe it has controller support on the apple tv, but lacks it on the iphone/ipad versions which is a shame and something I hope is fixed in a future update. Even if it did have MFi support I could see myself quite happily playing this while out and about with the touchscreen control as I did eventually get used to it
What about a console or PC version for you?
I already have the PC version for when I am home, I can see myself enjoying this when I am travelling for example
Thank you for this review, very informative and helpful. It certainly sounds like they released a beta with some obvious showstoppers on the bug list (like "oh, it turns out, AI cars should _not_ ram player cars - who knew?"). Saw this promoted in the App Store on the Apple TV, happy now that I decided to wait. Hope they fix the more ridiculous bugs soon.
#gamesisortaregretbuyingbeforereadingtheinevitableTAreview
No mention of the lack of MFI support.
That's also a big negative, considering its been mentioned it has that for Apple TV and their other game F1 superstars had it.
It's confirmed to not have it and I have tested it with several MFI controllers- Steel Series Nimbus, Samsung Mini controlller and the Gamevice (direct lightning connection). Nothing there.
Real Racing 3 that is ancient for gaming (especially mobile) even has FULL MFI controller support.
Bugs, graphics issues can be ironed out... but I don't know why a feature like MFI controller support can't be implemented from the get go considering this a premium game with a history on consoles that will of course use controllers.
This is not a game that can be naturally touchscreen like XCOM and Rome: Total War.
When are they going to bring DiRT Rally to iOS and tvOS?
Rush rally 2, you play that?
I've played 12 races of a season and haven't actually noticed many issues with the Ai??
I have noticed that there is no scaling, as in it plays just the same on my iPhone 6 as it does on my iPad Pro. It's a shame because I know the Pro is capable of much better! Some graphics options would be nice
Will it work in iPad 4
I like the bad ai, makes it more challenging.
I do find the hardness settings a re little easy, even on the hardest difficulty it was easy to qualify first and win the race.
I find the F1 2016 desktop ai pretty,good tbh 🙂