Submissions open from 2026-06-14 11:00:00 to 2026-06-15 11:00:00
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Contraband Jam

Welcome to Contraband Jam — a 24-hour game jam about forbidden goods, black markets, suspicious packages, underground deals, and things that were never meant to be found.

Your task is simple: make a small playable game in one day based on the idea of contraband.

Theme

Contraband / Black Market / Forbidden Goods

Make a game about something illegal, restricted, hidden, suspicious, banned, or sold somewhere it probably should not be sold.

The theme can be serious, funny, creepy, chaotic, weird, or completely absurd. It does not have to be realistic. You can make a game about real-world style contraband, fantasy contraband, cursed objects, alien technology, banned snacks, secret tapes, forbidden potions, fake documents, or anything suspicious.

Make the player feel like they discovered something they were not supposed to see.

Game Ideas

Here are some examples you can use for inspiration:

  • A black market shop that sells strange forbidden items.
  • A courier game where every package is suspicious.
  • A border control game where you search bags for contraband.
  • A pawn shop where people bring cursed or stolen-looking objects.
  • A detective game about tracking underground trades.
  • A fantasy smuggling game with illegal magic potions.
  • A sci-fi station where banned technology is being traded.
  • A school game about running an illegal snack business.
  • A warehouse full of forbidden artifacts.
  • A computer terminal with access to a hidden marketplace.

Rules

  • You have 24 hours to make your game.
  • Your game must be connected to the theme of contraband.
  • Any engine is allowed.
  • Solo developers and teams are allowed.
  • The game must be playable.
  • You can use free, paid, or self-made assets if you have the rights to use them.
  • Web builds are recommended, but not required.

Not Allowed

  • No stolen assets.
  • No NSFW content.
  • No real-life instructions for committing crimes.
  • No games made before the jam.
  • No hateful or harmful content.

Allowed Engines

You can use any engine or tool you want, for example:

  • Unity
  • Godot
  • Unreal Engine
  • GameMaker
  • Construct
  • RPG Maker
  • Scratch
  • Twine
  • Ren'Py
  • Or anything else

Judging Criteria

Theme Use

How well does the game use the idea of contraband, black markets, forbidden goods, suspicious packages, or underground deals?

Creativity

Is the idea original, unexpected, strange, funny, creepy, or interesting?

Gameplay

Is the game fun, clear, and enjoyable to play?

Atmosphere

Does the game feel suspicious, secret, underground, tense, mysterious, or stylish?

Submission

Submit a playable game made during the jam. Your game should include at least one element connected to contraband, black markets, illegal goods, suspicious items, restricted objects, secret trading, smuggling, or forbidden deals.

Keep your project small. Focus on one strong idea. A short finished game is better than a big unfinished one.

Final Message

Make it small. Make it suspicious. Make it weird.

Good luck, and welcome to the underground.