WELCOME GAME MAKERS, STORYTELLERS, ARTISTS, VISIONARIES, AND PUNKS!

Welcome to Day Zero Games: SOLARPUNK JAM, hosted by Trevor Noah's Day Zero Productions and Anima Interactive, and sponsored by Cinereach.  This jam invites game developers worldwide to create projects that explore the Solarpunk movement—a DIY, countercultural approach to a more sustainable future.

Day Zero Games is an initiative to connect with and support the global indie game development community. Our inaugural Solarpunk theme reflects that Day Zero itself is a reference to Cape Town, South Africa’s water crisis. The team believes that solving environmental crises will take not just warnings, but world builders brave and imaginative enough to see a better future for us all.  

Creator(s) of a winning project will receive a $10,000 USD grand prize, and select finalists may be approached by Day Zero Productions and/or Cinereach to explore further development of their projects. Please see official terms and conditions for details.

We believe games can be powerful tools to address crucial issues, and we invite you to offer your unique voice! With Day Zero Games: SOLARPUNK JAM, we invite you to envision a world where sustainable solutions, renewable energy, and ecological balance drive human progress. 

"Solarpunk" is a response to the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, offering a hopeful narrative that reimagines how we live, build, and interact with our planet. By incorporating this theme, this game jam encourages developers to craft experiences that explore green technology, community-driven solutions, and innovative ways to create harmony between nature and technology!

Submissions can be varied in technique, subject matter, and approach, but most importantly they must be impossible to ignore. 

EARTH DAY APR 22, 2025 - MAY 10, 2025 - SUBMISSIONS OPEN

MAY 12 - 23, 2025 - JURORS WILL EVALUATE SUBMISSIONS

MAY 30, 2025 - FINALISTS & GRAND PRIZE WINNER ANNOUNCED

SUBMISSION WINDOW

The submission window opens at 12:00am PDT on April 22, 2025. Submissions are due no later than 11:59 pm PDT on May 10, 2025. 

LEGAL

Anything you make during or for Day Zero Games: SOLARPUNK JAM is your property. Day Zero, Cinereach and Anima claim no rights or ownership over your game prototype submission. Day Zero Productions and Cinereach may offer one or more participants an opportunity to develop their project further with one or both of the company’s involvement as negotiated at that time. If this route is pursued, Day Zero Productions is in first position to attach to a project with Cinereach retaining optionality to join. Cinereach also retains optionality to work with creators on any project Day Zero does not engage with. Creators have final say as to whether or not they pursue further development with either company. 

If you are chosen as a finalist, you agree that your game prototype, with credit to you, will be displayed in press releases honoring the finalists and other promotional materials in connection with Day Zero Games. Select projects may be invited to showcase at an in-person or online activation in the future.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Anyone 18 and older can participate in the jam. No previous game development experience is required.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All prototype submissions must be uploaded to Itch.io by the submission deadline. By submitting, you agree to be bound by Itch.io’s Terms of Service and the jam's official Terms and Conditions.

Every individual person on the team must submit the official registration form.

Each submission must meet the following requirements:

• The submission must be the original work of the participant or participant’s team created during the jam period. 
• No generative artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies may be used in the creation of your Submission, including game assets or code. 
• All assets used in the submission must belong to you or be used under an appropriate license. You agree to provide proof of licensing to the organizers upon request.
• Submissions must include the full name and role of each team member.
• Participants may only submit one (1) submission to the jam.
• Participants may not impersonate another person or submit anything on another person’s behalf without their written permission, which you agree to provide to the organizers upon request.
• Participants must refrain from submitting games centered around violence, blood, abuse, or topics that can be negatively triggering.

Failure to comply with these eligibility criteria, or any misrepresentation, will result in immediate disqualification and may result in the forfeiture of any prizes or awards granted.

WHAT PLATFORM CAN I USE TO MAKE MY GAME/EXPERIENCE?

We are accepting submissions across multiple platforms (PC/console, mobile, XR, and web). 

To qualify for the finalist pool, you must port your game to Windows, Android, or Mac. Web-based games are also eligible as long as they can be played reliably in a browser without the need for an emulator or proprietary plugin. We  cannot accept analogue games, games created in proprietary platforms or games that require an emulator to run. 

WHAT ASSETS CAN I USE? 

Any assets that you have made, purchased, or downloaded with proper licensing are permitted. Assets developed or derived from generative AI technologies are prohibited.

WHO WILL JUDGE THE GAMES? 

The jury panel will be composed of professional game developers, narrative change experts, and other creatives working across various media. Jurors will play games and select finalists between May 12-23, 2025. Finalists will be publicly announced and notified via email on May 30, 2025.

WHAT WILL THE GAMES BE JUDGED ON?

Jurors will be asked to evaluate submissions based on the following criteria: 

1) Compelling mechanics and core game loop 

2) Creativity and artfulness

3) Entertainment value 

4) Incorporation of the climate themes and integration of the Cinereach workshop toolkit principles. The Toolkit is available here. Join our Discord server for updates.

WHAT DOES THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER RECEIVE?

Out of the finalist pool, there will be one grand prize winner selected to receive a $10,000 USD cash prize. If the winning submission is made by a team of participants, the prize will be awarded to the designated team representative or a representative designated by the team, and it will be the sole responsibility of the team to allocate the prize among its members.

HOW DO I JOIN?

Register by clicking “Join Jam” on our itch.io page. All participants must submit an official registration form to qualify for the finalist pool and grand prize.

ARE YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

Yes! Please follow us on BlueSky and X. Tag us and use #SolarpunkJam on socials to share your progress!

IS THERE A DISCORD I CAN JOIN?

Yes! Please join our Discord server. You'll be able to meet other jammers to brainstorm, form teams, and receive feedback or help.

HOW DO I FIND A TEAM?

Team up with friends/colleagues, or meet new collaborators in our Discord server! We have a channel called #looking-for-team, where you can connect with other participants looking to form or join a team.