Hello, fellow game jammers! I'm a long-time Ludum Dare participant with over 10 years of experience. One of my most recent LD entries has turned into a successful mobile game gaining 100k installs.

Also I'm a Regional Coordinator of Global Game Jam, and a Chair of International Scientific Conference on Game Jams.

I hope I've got your attention :) There is something important I want to tell you.

Ludum Dare and Global Game Jam are very popular events among the Ukrainian game development community. As you know, Ukraine is now defending against a full-scale Russian invasion. Today is the 427th day of the invasion. Many game developers, just like the other citizens of Ukraine, had to move out of their homes, others have joined the army or work as volunteers providing the needed with resources.

If some of us have a luxury to keep making games and even participate in game jams, it is only thanks to the Ukrainian defense forces and the help we are receiving from our friends worldwide. And we keep telling the world of what is going on, as it is important to be aware.

This is what I said to the Global Game Jam at the Theme announcement event in January: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zC6DxiBbgo

This message is still relevant now, as the invasion still goes on.

Therefore I ask you, our game development friends and colleagues, to keep supporting Ukraine, keep talking about Ukrainian noble struggle, or, maybe, you'd like to highlight Ukrainian culture motifs in your Ludum Dare entry?

Also please consider donating to the Ukrainian funds, for example, the Game Dev under Bombs fund, which is run by game development conference organizers: https://globalgamejam.org/news/supporting-global-game-jam-community-and-people-ukraine

Or to the President's initiative UNITED24, where you can select what to support: defense and demining, medical aid or rebuilding of Ukraine: https://u24.gov.ua/

And please read the Global Game Jam's interviews of Ukrainian game developers: https://ggconference.com/en/conference/games-gathering-gamedev-under-bombs/

We really appreciate your help and support! Wishing you successful and peaceful jam!