Game Jam Tip #1: Set a Goal for Yourself

What do you want to get out of this game jam?

Before the event, define your goal to motivate you through the jam. It can be anything:

·        Walk away with a project you can show off in your portfolio

·        Pick one skill to learn/improve

·        Meet awesome people and build your network

·        Try something you’ve never done before and see what happens

Having a clear purpose sets the right mindset and helps you focus. But keep it simple: your only true goal is to have a short, playable demo ready in 48 hours. Learning, experimenting, and your personal experience are part of the process, but finishing something (no matter how small) is the target.

Game Jam Tip #2: Learn from Others’ Mistakes

Your own mistakes are valuable, but learning from others’ is faster. One of the best ways to learn is to observe and talk to other jammers during the event. Ask how they’re approaching the theme, watch their workflow, and see how they solve problems.

Just go and look for the post-mortem dev updates after game jams. These are the mines of knowledge and conclusions after finishing projects.

(And hey, when this jam is over, we really hope that you share your own thoughts and reflections with the rest of the community so the next wave of jammers can grow too. kk? ;))

Game Jams thrive from the community!

Game Jam Tip #3: Make a Game You Can Actually Finish Scope Small — Don’t Overbuild

Create a game that you really can finish

Let’s keep it real: you won’t be able to develop a multiplayer FPS game. On your own. In 24h. Try to look for something that is actually doable by you in a very limited amount of time

Aim small. A complete, simple game speaks louder than hundreds of unfinished ones.

Game Jam Tip #4: Keep It Simple (Seriously)

Don’t overcomplicate things.

 Your game doesn’t need an advanced crafting system paired with a complex character progression. It also doesn’t have to provide hours of playtime. The best projects stand out because they’re fun and creative with the theme, and actually playable.

Develop something short, around one cool mechanic. Focus on one cool mechanic that players can pick up instantly. Don’t underestimate how much creativity elevates a simple idea — even minimal assets can make your game feel alive.

(Remember that you can work around your idea after the game jam and polish the hell out of it. Later.)

 Game Jam Tip #5: Brainstorm Early

Yes, there will be a theme. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t think of a type of game you would like to make.

Brainstorm genres or plots you’d like to try before the jam, so you don’t start from a blank page. When the theme is revealed (usually just a word or phrase), adapt your ideas to it. The theme is meant to inspire creativity, not restrict you. Your early brainstorming will save time, but remember: production defines the final product.

Stuck? How to get ideas for a game jam? 

Use idea generators. These are great and can help you kickstart some crazy, creative thoughts. You never know what you can come up with.

Game Jam Tip #6: Prep Your Tools in Advance

You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches if you set up your tools before the jam starts.

Do you want to create a 2D sprite platformer game? You need some software for that, my friend.

You need an engine (like the Unity Game Engine or Construct 2)+ some kind of graphics software.

Here’s your pre-jam checklist:

• ✅ Install everything you’ll need
• ✅ Update your software (seriously, don’t leave this)
• ✅ Check for required plugins and update those too
• ✅ Make sure your operating system is fully updated (the last thing you want is Windows Update hijacking your jam)
• ✅ Test your setup—run the engine, import assets, and confirm it all works smoothly

 Being prepared means you can dive straight into creating.

 Game Jam Tip #7 –If You’re in a Team, Use Version Control

Set up a repo 

If you want to keep your experience fuckup-proof, it’s good to set up a repository on GitHub.

Even if something breaks or overwrites, you can roll back safely. Commit and push often.  Saves you some time if something goes wrong. Your nerves will thank you.

Commit and push your changes regularly, though.

 Game Jam Tip #8: Hack It Together

Your code doesn’t need to be nice and tidy. This isn’t the time for perfect code or pixel-perfect polish. Cut corners where you can. Remember that you’re working on a tight schedule.

The jam is about making something that works, not about making something flawless.

Right now, there’s only one goal: it has to work.

You can polish later, during the jam, working > perfect.

Game Jam Tip #9: Build a Prototype ASAP

You need a working version of your core mechanic early.

Why? Because bugs and surprises will happen and having a baseline ready gives you space to test, fix, and polish.

Game Jam Tip #10: Playtest, Playtest, Playtest

Playtesting isn’t just useful; it’s one of the best parts of the jam, it’s fun and insightful. Other jammers will see flaws you don’t, and you’ll learn by trying their games too.

Ask friends, teammates, or other jammers to try your game.

• Are the controls intuitive?
• Is the goal clear?
• Is it actually fun?

Ask for feedback and offer them playtests too!

 Game Jam Tip #11: Finish Early 

Aim to stop development at least 1 hour before the deadline.

Wrapping up early = peace of mind.

If you can, finish even earlier. Uploading builds and writing descriptions can take longer than you expect, and submission platforms may lag. Better to hand in a solid game early than panic at the last minute.

Game Jam Tip #12: Have Fun

And I guess the most important tip of all. 

Remember that this whole experience should give you some joy. Game jams are about creativity, learning, community, and most importantly, being fun. So enjoy the chaos, meet new people, learn something new, and create something awesome. The mix of socializing, learning, and creating makes the experience unforgettable.