🎮 What is a GameJam? 🎮

A Game Jam is a short event where teams work together to create a small game or game prototype. Most Jams have a theme that your game must abide by.  Game Jams are a great way to learn by doing, test ideas, and build on your skills. 

Theme

Like the basic 2D geometric shape. Think love triangles, three-faction politics, triangle-based mechanics and visuals, or anything with three sides (trifectas). Feel free to think outside the box and interpret the theme anyway you like.

Rules

• You must follow the Itch.io TOS.
• No teams of more than 5 people.
• Your submission must include a Game Design Document. You can find a GDD template by Unity here.
• Your submission must run in the browser.
• You may use AI-generated content. However, you must disclose its usage.
• No Pornographic Content or Nudity.
• If your game contains any sensitive material (e.g., gore, suicide, e.g), make sure to include a warning about it on your game submission page.
• A good starting point for free assets is the FreeGameAssets website:  Free Game Assets.
• Your game MUST be free to play. NO Payments.
  

Submission

Game Design Document

• This is a planning document that details what your game will be.
• This is a required part of your submission and a best practice, so don't forget it!
• You may submit your GDD as a Google Drive file or a downloadable PDF.

Prototype

• This is a very limited working copy of your game.
• Focus on playability over anything else.
• If it doesn't run, it can't be fun.
• Your Prototype MUST run in the browser. Upload here on itch.io.
• The reason this is required is for ease of judging and the reduction of malware.

FAQ:

I am not a Belmont University student. Can I join?: Yes, anyone is allowed to join, participate in the Jam, and submit their games.

If I'm in a team, do all members have to submit the game? No, only one person should submit it. You can add your team members to the game page. 

Can I submit a game I already made? No, you can only submit games made in the given timeframe. We don't check, but the goal is to build your skills and learn new things.

Can I use premade assets? Yes, as long as you have permission. Make sure you know the licensing limits for anything you use. 

Can I use AI (artificial intelligence)? Yes, AI is a great tool that can help developers, and you should definitely try to take advantage of it. Just make sure to disclose its usage.

What's a theme? A theme is something all the games in the Jam must follow.  However, you are open (and encouraged) to interpret it as you want. The theme will be announced the day before the Jam starts to give you some extra time to think of a game that fits the theme.

Does my game have to follow the theme? Yes. It's fun! Adherence to the theme is also a voting criterion.

Is there a prize for winning? No. "The real prize is the friend we make along the way"... or something like that :)

Do I have to use a specific Game Engine? No, you are allowed to use any game engine or library of your choice. However, remember that you need to make a web-based build for it to be included in the voting. Therefore, engines like Unity, Unreal, and Godot work. But there are many others.

Thanks:

To  Jessica Soesanto for the game jam theme banner art. Find her work on Instagram at @jessicas.mp4