Created in one month during the GitHub game jam, Museum Servivit stood out for its graphic style and ironic tones.
Today, we’re diving into a unique video game whose development unfolded in a less conventional way. We’re talking about Museum Servivit, developed by STARDICE Games in collaboration with PROX Games, Kevin Toninelli, irafunesta, Michele Buonocunto, Forgotten Dawn, MTGMisaki, m3t4lp0w3r, Lorenzo Racca, leoventuroso, and Caterina Stella.
The game came to life in just one month during the Game Off 2024, an annual game jam organized by GitHub that ran from November 1 to December 1, 2024. With the theme “SECRETS,” it secured first place in the “Graphics” category.
The GitHub Game Off 2024
The GitHub Game Off 2024 is an annual game jam organized by GitHub, a platform for collaborative software development based on Git, a distributed version control system. Developers primarily use it to host and manage the source code of software projects, allowing them to collaborate, track changes, and coordinate work efficiently.
In this game jam, the organizers invite developers of all levels to create a game inspired by a specific theme. The 2024 edition, held in November, had the theme “Secrets“. Participants could use any programming language, engine, or library, and even AI tools to generate code or assets.
To make the challenge even more interesting, optional “wildcards” were available, such as a palette with only four colors, a cheat mode, or mechanics designed for speedrunning. Judges evaluated games based on gameplay, graphics, audio, innovation, and theme interpretation, and they announced the winners in January 2025. Among the favorites, alongside Museum Servivit, was Trail of Secrets, a platformer with multiple endings.
The Game Off is an excellent opportunity to experiment, learn, and share projects with the GitHub open-source community, collaborating with other creatives and testing one’s skills in a stimulating environment with defined deadlines.
Development and Collaboration
The creation of Museum Servivit is the result of collaboration among several talented developers and artists. The STARDICE Games team led the project, with significant contributions from PROX Games, Kevin Toninelli, irafunesta, Michele Buonocunto, Forgotten Dawn, MTGMisaki, m3t4lp0w3r, Lorenzo Racca, leoventuroso, and Caterina Stella.
Here are the members of the STARDICE team:
Game Design: Michele Buonocunto, Kevin Toninelli
Programming: Simone Guidi, Samanta Mancini, Leonardo Venturoso
Art Direction: Samuele Prosser
Art: Caterina Stella, Lorenzo Racca
Music and Sound Design: Claudio Monteleone, Antongiulio Giardino
The team created all game assets, including graphics, music, and design, from scratch during the game jam, showing their commitment and creativity.
Story and Setting
Let’s take a closer look at Museum Servivit, where players follow the story of Angelo, a lively elderly man who has just started his new job as a night guard at the Museum Servivit.
What seems to be a quiet night shift quickly turns into a mysterious adventure.
The player’s task is to help Angelo follow the Curator’s instructions and take care of the museum during his night shift. However, as the night progresses, dark secrets hidden within the museum’s walls start to surface, and Angelo finds himself caught up in puzzles that will challenge his wit and determination.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Museum Servivit combines elements of adventure and puzzle-solving. Players control Angelo, exploring the museum’s various rooms, interacting with different artifacts, and solving puzzles to uncover hidden secrets.
The developers used the Godot engine to create the game, featuring hand-drawn graphics that build a captivating and immersive atmosphere. The original soundtrack, composed by Forgotten Dawn, further enriches the experience.
Reception and Feedback
Despite its short duration, Museum Servivit received positive feedback from the community. Many players appreciated the artistic style and the humorous tone that gives personality to the museum and its characters.
Some feedback highlights that, even though it is a minimalistic experience, the game stands out for its visual quality and evocative atmosphere, qualities that earned it first place in the Game Off 2024’s graphics category.
Conclusion
Museum Servivit perfectly exemplifies what developers can achieve in one month of intensive development within a game jam. Although a short and minimalist title, its attention to graphic detail and immersive atmosphere make it a small gem in the indie scene.
Thanks to its participation in GitHub’s Game Off 2024, the game had the chance to gain recognition and demonstrate how creativity and commitment can lead to engaging gaming experiences, even within tight deadlines.
For those interested in trying it, Museum Servivit is available for free on Itch.io, with the source code accessible on GitHub, perfectly aligned with the open-source spirit of the competition.
