In the previous Game Jam I worked with close friends, so no need for introductions or team building was necessary. For this game jam, we were all strangers from the Internet, so we carried discussions and meetings prior to the start of the jam.
Once the theme was revealed, we carried out a very similar process than before, exploring what the theme meant, pitching game ideas, and selecting one to work with.
The idea of "protecting the bond", and like before we decided to explore it in mechanics and theme. We came up with a series of mechanics and restrictions that resulted in the idea of controlling two robots with asymetrical gameplay: one shields, one moves. Both robots are connected with a cable and they must survive waves of enemies.
Once we started working, however, disaster struck: one of our developers tested positive for COVID so he had to quit the game jam. We had to reduce the scope of the game and many of the ideas we had were left unfinished. Still, we managed to finish and ended up with a simple yet fun prototype of a bullet hell shooter.