SHACKNEWS GAME JAMMER LAMMIES

Plagiarism has consequences. The community caught one plagiarist in the winner's circle during the 2024 jam, but it turns out there was a second one.

Original:
wolderado.itch.io/rush-station

Winner's game:
quarkshot.itch.io/train-packer

So what are the consequences? I can't claw back what I paid, although I do encourage you to boo that man. No, I've paid out over $15,000 in prize money during these jams and I just can't see myself putting out prize money going forward with the plagiarism issue over on itch.io until I can find a way to make it less of an issue in these jams. If I run another jam without a solution, I'll just be providing Mercury as prizes.

Why have I been putting money into these in the first place? Just over 20 years ago, I started coming to Shacknews. I was actually told not to come here by a former mod and former Ritual co-worker, but I came here anyway. Shacknews became my community of choice. I met some amazing friends here, had support when I lost my wife, and it was a place where I felt I earned my place in the community. I put my money where my mouth was to try to support and build this community, and I'll continue to do so...just in different ways.

This place may resemble Detroit after the recent exodus, but I'm planning to stick around and help rebuild this as a community that I want to be a part of.