A week-long game jam focused on crafting games with strong, engaging stories, featuring over USD $500 in prizes, with more than half awarded as cash prizes. Build your narrative-driven game from scratch with your team and showcase your storytelling skills.
- Work must be created during the jam week.
- Teams can consist of 1 to 4 people.
- You must use the Unity engine to build your game.
- Preferably to a WebGL target but not required (PC build accepted).
- Disclose any AI tools or AI content you use.
- Use only assets with clear sharing licenses.
- Content must be appropriate for a PG-13 audience — no explicit or hateful material.
- Follow itch.io’s Terms of Service and community rules.
- Submissions must be on time; late entries won’t be accepted.
Story First! Play the Tale.
Your game must have a strong story or narrative as its core. Let the narrative drive your gameplay, visuals, and audio. Your storytelling should be the heart of the player experience. Any genre is allowed, as long as the story drives the experience.
A central element of your story will be unveiled at the start of the jam and must be incorporated.
Entries will be judged on:
- Story / Narrative
- Fun
- Visuals
- Audio
- First place
- USD $250,
- 1x Ethereal Hoodie ($69.95 USD value),
- 1x Ethereal T-shirt ($29.95 USD value).
- Second place
- USD $100,
- 1x Ethereal T-shirt ($29.95 USD value).
- Third place
- 1x Ethereal T-shirt ($29.95 USD value).
This jam is currently self-funded.
We welcome sponsorships to support larger prizes, events, and promotions. If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring, please get in touch via our Discord server.
Sponsoring Ethereal Jam is a great opportunity to connect with passionate indie developers and storytellers. Join us in making this jam even more exciting!
- Q: Can I use my own assets made before the jam?
- A: No. All content must be created during the jam timeframe unless you disclose properly licensed third-party assets.
- Q: Can I use AI tools or assets to help with content creation?
- A: Yes, but you must clearly mention exactly which AI tools or AI-generated assets you used in your submission.
- Q: Are there any guidelines for using AI-generated content?
- A: Yes. If you use AI, please use AI-generated content that, to the best of your ability, respect copyright and ethical standards. Avoid using content known for nonchalantly using copyrighted material without permission.
- Q: Are there grounds on which I could be disqualified?
- A: Yes. If your submission doesn’t follow the rules, judges have the final say and may disqualify entries at their discretion.
- Q: Can participants report others for misconduct during the jam?
- A: We encourage focusing on your own work and respecting others. All concerns will be handled internally and fairly by the organizers.
- Q: Can I use a different game engine?
- A: This jam requires a specific engine, but we may consider allowing other engines in future events.
- Q: Why do you require using this specific game engine?
- A: We require Unity to ensure consistency and simplify judging. It provides a common platform that makes reviewing entries fair and straightforward.
- Q: Is this jam affiliated with or sponsored by Unity?
- A: No. While some staff may have connections to Unity, this jam is fully independent and not sponsored or affiliated with Unity in any way.
- Q: When will prizes be delivered?
- A: Prizes will be delivered within 180 days after the jam ends. Please be patient as we ensure proper procedures. Since 2012, we've paid out thousands of dollars in prizes, fulfilling every prize from every event we've hosted.
Ethereal is a Gaming Community founded in 2012. We serve as a catalyst for uniting gaming circles through online/offline gaming events, jams and tournaments. With a focus on inclusivity and community-building, Ethereal cultivates an environment where gamers can connect, compete, and forge lasting friendships, fostering a shared enthusiasm in gaming. More on our website at https://www.ethereal.network.
