YOUR THEME IS LOST AND FORGOTTEN

Welcome to The Carleton College 2026 Game Jam!

This is an event that runs from Friday, May 1st at 6:00 PM to Sunday, May 3th at6:00 PM in Olin 304. We give out a theme, and then you have 48 hours to conceptualize, develop, and complete an entire video game! From there, the judges pick their favourite, and one team is declared a winner!

PROPOSE THEMES HERE:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHdz0UzUEdL13IqeayLcgxVJBtr7p1tCMOd3FZ...

F.A.Q:

Do I need to spend the entire 48 hours? Do I need to be in Olin 304?

No! This is intended to be a fun and low-stress event. If you can't be there in person, the theme will also be revealed on this page at the start of the jam. If you finish early or don't want to work more, or have homework, or if there's any other reason, submit what you have! There's no expectation for you to spend the whole time.

How should I submit my game?

Ideally, provide a browser build, but some games are too big for that-- in that case, an executable that can run on windows (and linux, and mac, if possible! You can build those seperately) is needed.

Should I have some game development experience to participate in this?

None needed! This is a way for us to learn how to make games. If you have experience, all the better! But there's no expectation of skill. Consider going at it in a group! 

Can I use AI-generated materials? (Art, writing, music, code, ETC.)

No. Any use of AI-generated material will result in an immediate disqualification. If you have an edge case you think will differ, ask first.

Can I use credited art or music I did NOT make?

Yes! If the author of the materials has given permission (Through licenses or otherwise), and you CLEARLY MARK that you have not created it yourself. Though you will lose points on presentation, think carefully!

Can I work in a group? Do I need to work in a group?

Totally! Groups are fine, solo is fine, if you think you can wrangle together that many people, go for it.

How will the games be scored?

Scoring will be broken up into four categories:

Theme:

Does your game work around the theme of the jam? How did you incorporate it? Scoring well in this category means putting significant thought into that.

Creativity:

What does your game do differently? How does it stand out from the pack? Scoring well in this category means making something novel and distinct.

Execution:

Is your game fun to play? Is the narrative as serious as you had intended? Does it do what it has set out to do? Games that do well in this category work, start to finish, in a way you intended.

Presentation:

Does your game have flair? Pizzazz? Fancy music? And more importantly than how good your artwork is, does it match well with the game? Games that do well in this category feel intentional and visually / auditorily appealing.