Submissions open from 2026-07-01 17:00:00 to 2026-08-10 06:59:59
Submissions due in
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The Sprint 3 intro session will be held on Wednesday, July 15th, at 10am PDT on Zoom.
Convert to your local time zone HERE. Zoom meeting room link HERE.
Session will be recorded.

Go HERE for information about the first sprint of the jam: Ideation!
Go HERE for information about the second sprint of the jam: Pre-Production!
Go HERE for information about the third sprint of the jam: Full Production! 

OVERVIEW
Climate Jam is an annual six-week online game jam where developers from around the world create games that inspire action for our changing planet.

Build a small, polished, releasable game that explores environmental challenges and climate solutions while connecting with a global community!

Learn more on the IndieCade website.

GAME TOPICS & THEMES
We're looking for games that explore climate change and environmental issues through evidence-based solutions and meaningful calls to action.

This year's featured theme is "Plant a Seed!"

Need inspiration? Browse of the past Climate Jam projects to see the wide variety of ideas, genres, and approaches from previous participants.
2025 Submissions
2024 Submissions

JAM STRUCTURE
Climate Jam follows the Greenlight Jam format, guiding participants through four development sprints towards a releasable final project. Each sprint has a challenge with specific deliverables to submit at the end of the sprint.

Participants are encouraged to follow the sprint schedule, submit materials for each challenge, and provide feedback on the other projects as they are developed.

SCHEDULE
All deadlines listed below are in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).

Sprint 1: Ideation
Brainstorm, research, prototype, and define your game's core concept.
 July 1: Jam Kickoff & Sprint 1 Begins (10:00am PDT)
 July 6: Sprint 1 Deadline (11:59pm PDT)
 July 7: Review & Feedback Period

Sprint 2: Pre-Production
Continue prototyping, build a proof of concept, refine your design, and create a production plan.
 July 8: Sprint 2 Begins (10:00am PDT)
 July 13: Sprint 2 Deadline (11:59pm PDT)
 July 14: Review & Feedback Period

Sprint 3: Full Production
Build out your project into a playable game, swap out placeholders with final assets, and playtest, playtest, playtest.
 July 15: Sprint 3 Begins (10:00am PDT)
 July 27: Sprint 3 Deadline (11:59pm PDT)
 July 28: Review & Feedback Period

Sprint 4: Polish, Promotion & Marketing
Debug, tune, and polish your game. Create promo materials and release on itch.io.
 July 29: Sprint 4 Begins (10:00am PDT)
 August 10: Final Submission Deadline (11:59pm PDT)
 August 11: Review & Feedback Period / Voting Begins

Community Voting
 August 17: Voting Closes (11:59pm PDT)
 TBA: Voting Results Announced

SUBMISSION RULES
Create your game during the jam (July 1–August 11, 2026).

We strongly recommend that you follow the sprint schedule and submit materials for sprints 1-3, which each have their own itch.io page.

itch.io pages:

You will submit your final project to the main Climate Jam itch.io page (this page).

Note: AI-assisted content is permitted but must be disclosed. We encourage participants to use AI thoughtfully and consider its environmental impact.

CLIMATE SOLUTIONS RUBRIC
The best "Climate Solutions" games will:

  • Be grounded in real scientific evidence.
  • Highlight positive climate solutions.
  • Be engaging, immersive, and interactive.
  • Make thoughtful use of game design and technology.
  • Have a clear target audience.
  • Include a solution-focused call to action.
  • Foster community, collaboration, and social connection.

COMMUNITY & RESOURCES
We use Discord for our online jam community hub.

  1. (if you are new to the server) Join IndieCade’s Discord server: https://www.indiecade.com/discord
  2. (if you are new to the server) Click the green checkmark in the #code-of-conduct channel to acknowledge the rules and access the general server channels.
  3. Enter in the following command code in the #lounge channel to receive the "Climate Jammer” role: !climate

Guides, talks, sample projects, and other resources will be shared throughout the the jam.

We've schedule a day between each sprint for teams to focus on reviewing each other's submissions and providing feedback. 

CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ANTHOLOGY
Selected Climate Jam projects may be invited to join the Climate Solutions Anthology, a collection of standout games that IndieCade plans to release on Steam.

Invited games will be evaluated on quality, creativity, and alignment with the Climate Solutions Rubric. Games must be playable in English, and teams must own or have permission to use all included assets.

GET INVOLVED
Interested in mentoring, judging, or contributing to Climate Jam? Sign up through the Mentor / Contributor form or contact us at jams@indiecade.com.

SPONSORS & PARTNERS
IndieCade Horizons
Seattle Indies
EarthGames 
Global Game Jam
Games for Change

Interested in partnering with Climate Jam? Contact us at jams@indiecade.com


SUPPORT INDIECADE
IndieCade exists to support the independent development community and to shine a light on diverse and expansive work from around the world. Memberships provide the crucial support to make this mission possible. Learn more and become a member.

If you would like to help support IndieCade directly, please consider donating. As a volunteer-based entity every contribution makes a huge difference for our being able to support and highlight game creators. Donate today.

If you would like to become and IndieCade Sponsor or Academic Partner, please provide your information and we'll contact you as soon as possible.