Submissions open from 2026-06-29 11:00:00 to 2026-07-02 11:00:00
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Fake Update Jam

Welcome to Fake Update Jam — a game jam where the game does not start like a normal game. It starts like an update, launcher, broken installer, corrupted patch, fake loading screen, or system message.

The theme:

The game is updating… but something is wrong.

Your task is to create a game where an update, patch, download, launcher, installer, or broken system becomes part of the gameplay.

The update should not just be decoration. It should affect how the player thinks, plays, wins, loses, or understands the story.

What is this jam about?

Most games hide loading screens, updates, patches, installers, and launchers. In this jam, we do the opposite.

The fake update can be the whole game. The progress bar can lie. The patch notes can change the rules. The launcher can hide secrets. The version number can become part of the story. The files can be corrupted, missing, alive, or dangerous.

Make the player ask:
“Wait… is this still the game?”

Theme Ideas

  • A fake update screen where the progress bar becomes an enemy.
  • A launcher that looks normal, but every button opens a secret part of the game.
  • A corrupted patch that changes the rules every minute.
  • A fake installer where choosing the wrong file changes the ending.
  • A broken loading screen that is actually playable.
  • A game that pretends to download content, but the downloaded files are levels.
  • A system repair tool where the player fixes bugs by solving puzzles.
  • A fake antivirus scan that finds strange creatures inside the game files.
  • A version history where every old version reveals part of the story.
  • A game that updates itself into a different genre.
  • A patch note list where every line becomes real inside the game.
  • A fake error message that starts talking to the player.
  • An update that reaches 99% and refuses to finish until the player discovers why.

Important

You do not need to make a real updater.

Your game only needs to feel like an update, launcher, patch, installer, repair screen, download screen, corrupted build, system window, or broken game version.

You can fake everything: fake files, fake progress bars, fake errors, fake patch notes, fake system warnings, fake version numbers, fake buttons, fake folders, fake glitches.

Rules

  • Your game must follow the theme in a clear way.
  • Your game should be made during the jam period.
  • Solo developers and teams are allowed.
  • Any game engine is allowed.
  • 2D, 3D, text games, browser games, and experimental games are allowed.
  • Windows, Linux, Mac, Web, and Android builds are allowed.
  • Premade assets are allowed, but the main game should be created for this jam.
  • AI tools are allowed, but the submitted game should not be made entirely by AI.
  • No stolen content.
  • No hateful, illegal, or harmful content.
  • Small games are welcome. A clever idea is better than a huge unfinished project.

What can you make?

Horror

A normal update slowly becomes disturbing. The player sees strange patch notes, corrupted files, fake errors, broken UI, hidden messages, or a system that seems to know too much.

Comedy

A stupid update breaks everything. Every patch makes the game worse. The player must survive bad design, useless features, fake bugs, and ridiculous patch notes.

Puzzle

The player solves puzzles by changing settings, moving files, selecting update options, reading patch notes, or finding hidden buttons inside the launcher.

Action

The update system creates enemies, upgrades weapons, deletes platforms, changes gravity, or spawns chaos every time a new version is installed.

Story

Every update reveals more about what happened before. The player explores old builds, deleted content, corrupted saves, developer messages, or lost versions of the game.

Voting Criteria

Creativity

How original, unexpected, and memorable is the idea?

Theme Use

How well does the game use the fake update, patch, launcher, installer, or broken system concept?

Gameplay

Is the game fun, interesting, satisfying, or clever to play?

Atmosphere

Does the game create a strong mood? It can be scary, funny, mysterious, chaotic, strange, or stylish.

Presentation

How good are the visuals, UI, sound, polish, and overall feeling of the game?

Tips for Participants

  • Start small. A fake update screen with one strong mechanic can be enough.
  • Make the UI part of the gameplay.
  • Use fake buttons, fake settings, fake files, and fake patch notes creatively.
  • Let the player discover that the update is not normal.
  • Try to surprise the player at least once.
  • Do not waste all your time on a huge project. Finish something playable.
  • A broken-looking game is fine, but make sure it is broken on purpose.

Game Ideas

  1. Version 1.0 — Every time the game updates, the world becomes more dangerous.
  2. 99% Forever — The update is stuck at 99%, and the player must go inside the system to finish it.
  3. Patch Notes — Every patch note changes the game rules in real time.
  4. Fake Launcher — The launcher has buttons, settings, files, and secrets that form the whole game.
  5. Corrupted Build — The player explores old broken versions of the same game.
  6. Installer.exe — Installing the game is the game.
  7. Update Failed — The player must fix missing files before the game deletes itself.
  8. Hotfix Horror — A small bug fix accidentally releases something terrifying.

Submission Requirements

  • Upload a playable build or browser version.
  • Add screenshots if possible.
  • Write a short description explaining how your game uses the theme.
  • Mention your controls clearly.
  • If your game has flashing lights, loud sounds, or horror content, add a warning.

Final Words

Fake Update Jam is about turning boring technical things into gameplay. Updates, launchers, installers, errors, patches, loading screens, and corrupted files are usually ignored. Here, they become the main event.

Make something weird. Make something clever. Make something that feels like the game is changing while the player is watching.

Good luck — and don’t trust the update.

My Unity Asset Store Assets

Need tools or ready-made systems for your jam game?

You can check out my assets on the Unity Asset Store. They can help you save time, prototype faster, and focus more on making your horror game scary and playable.

Using my assets is completely optional. You can join the jam with any engine, any tools, and any workflow.

Check my Unity Asset Store assets