Ever thought game controllers were too boring? Buttons too predictable or where you expect them to be? Here’s your chance to build your own take on what a controller should be. Build an alternative controller for a game you love or make a game harder with hard to master controls! Write your own game and build a controller to match!

This workshop will help you build a custom game controller with some basic crafting and a tiny dash of electronics.

What you’ll need:

1. A laptop or some kind of portable gaming device which can be controlled with a USB controller
2. If you want to create a controller for an existing game remember to bring the game!
3. If you have big plans for what you want to make you can bring some materials to help your build

What we’ll supply:

1. Parts for a USB game controller. If you don’t want to program it, don’t worry! It’ll behave like a USB controller out of the box
2. Crafting materials (paper, cardboard, pens, glue, etc)
3. Programming and soldering assistance for the more adventurous! We’ll use using Raspberry Pico based devices.

💖 Big thanks

Huge thanks toDIGIT Game Studio for supporting ALT.CTRL.GameCraft.

What is ALT.CTRL.GameCraft?

ALT.CTRL is another way of saying “Alternative Game Controllers” and a fun way to create and build your own custom controllers to play a game. There’s lots of different types of alternative controllers.

GameCraft is an Irish not-for-profit who run “game jams”, a gathering of people under one roof, or even virtually and make a game given a theme. It’s a friendly competition and great way to meet like-minded people from the industry, art, other creative fields, or anyone curious about make games. Games can be digital (e.g. video games) or analogue (e.g. tabletop games, card games).

ALT.CTRL.GameCraft is a combination of all above. We will provide pre-made kits for you to create whimsical and fun game controllers to play an existing game, or for an additional challenge, your own game made on the day.

Examples

• Milk that cow! https://www.gamedeveloper.com/disciplines/alt-ctrl-gdc-showcase-i-milk-that-cow-i-
• https://itch.io/jam/alt-ctrl-at-home

Tickets

Register Interest

FAQ

What is a GameCraft about?

It’s a game jam for people who are interested in game-making to come together under one roof to make games, meet people and generally have fun. GameCraft provides a venue so you can concentrate on making fun games. We also provide food and beverages throughout the day.

Code of Conduct

It is important that you have read the Code of Conduct before registering, people who have not read it will not be eligible for the game jam.

You can read it here: https://www.gamecraft.it/codeofconduct/

But what is a game jam?

A game jam is an event for people to make games based on a theme (announced at the beginning of the jam) within a given period of time. It can be 8 hours or even up to 24 hours.

Do I need to bring anything?

You bring your own tools, laptops, sound equipment, peripherals, software, assets, etc. We do not provide any equipment.

Is it all about digital games?

No, you can make non-digital games like boardgames, card games, RPGs, other types of pervasive games. All you need to do is bring your own craft materials. We don’t provide any on the day.

Am I able for a game jam?

YES! You like games, and having fun. You don’t have to be a programmer, if you can draw, tell stories, make music, and more… come along! We need more designers, crafters and makers!

Is there an age restriction to participate?

Yes, GameCraft events are all adult events (over 18s) unless specified. Normally when you sign up, you have to agree that you are over 18 before completing your registration.

Do I have to be in a team?

Nope, let us know when you check-in at registration on Saturday morning (08:30 till 08:59), and let us know what skills you have, and we can form a group in the morning before we announce the theme.

How many can we have in a team?

As many as you want. :-)

What about ownership of the games/controllers we create?

All games/controllers and content produced during GameCraft events remains the full property of their creators. GameCraft makes no claim to anything participants create. When you take part in GameCraft events you own everything you create.

All trademarks remain property of their respective owners. See https://www.gamecraft.it/privacy.