🎮 GameCraft VI — Rules, Guidelines & Submission

Welcome to GameCraft VI, the sixth edition of the game development event at Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic)!

This year's theme is HOLLOW. Interpret it in your own way, experiment with ideas, and create something memorable. Please read the following rules and submission guidelines carefully before participating.

🕳️ Theme: HOLLOW

All submitted games must have a clear and meaningful connection to the theme HOLLOW. Your interpretation is entirely up to you, whether it's a hollow space, an empty feeling, a hidden truth, or something completely unexpected.

Theme relevance will be considered during judging.

📅 Development Period

• All game development must take place during the official jam period.
• Games must be submitted before the official deadline.
• Projects developed before the jam may not be submitted as completed games. Pre-existing tools, libraries, frameworks, and permitted assets may be used, provided the game itself is developed during the jam.

👥 Team Size

Teams must consist of 2–5 members. Solo submissions are not allowed.

🛠️ Tools & Game Engines

You are free to use any game engine, programming language, framework, or development tool. There are no restrictions on your choice of technology, and submissions will be judged independently of the tools used.

🤖 AI-Assisted Content

AI tools are permitted, but the use of AI-generated content may result in score deductions at the judges' discretion.

Please disclose your use of AI tools and identify AI-generated content when submitting your game. Using AI for coding assistance and using AI-generated art, music, or other in-game content may be evaluated differently.

🎨 Originality, Assets & Licensing

Your game should be an original creation developed for this jam.

Third-party assets, code, libraries, and other resources may be used only when their licenses permit their intended use and distribution. Follow all applicable attribution and credit requirements.

Using pirated, unlicensed, or unauthorized assets is strictly prohibited. Games that violate third-party rights may be disqualified and may be subject to removal from itch.io under its policies.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that all third-party materials used in their games are properly licensed.

🕹️ Playability

All submissions must be playable and accessible to the judges.

• A playable Windows build or browser-playable Web version is preferred.
• Include clear controls and basic gameplay instructions.
• Test your game before submitting it to ensure it launches and works as intended.

Unplayable submissions will not be eligible for judging.

📤 How to Submit

To submit your game:

1. Upload your game to itch.io.
2. Create a project page with the information and files listed below.
3. Return to this jam page and click “Submit to GameCraft” before the deadline.

Your itch.io project page must include:

• Game Title & Description: A short introduction to your game and its core idea.
• Playable Build: A working Windows build or browser-playable Web version.
• Screenshots: At least two screenshots showing actual gameplay.
• Controls & Instructions: Explain how to play your game.
• Credits: Credit third-party assets and resources where required by their licenses.

Make sure your project page and uploaded files are accessible to the judges. Any additional submission instructions announced by the organizers must also be followed.

Late, incomplete, or inaccessible submissions may be disqualified.

🏆 Judging Criteria

Games will be evaluated by the judges based on the following criteria:

• Gameplay
• Art & Style
• Creativity & Originality
• Music & Sound Effects
• Technical Performance
• Theme Relevance

The final ranking will be determined by the scores awarded across the judging criteria. Judges' evaluations and the organizers' eligibility decisions will determine the final results.

📜 Content Policy

Games must not contain hateful, discriminatory, or otherwise prohibited content. Plagiarism, unauthorized use of others' work, and infringement of intellectual property rights are not allowed.

Games may be developed in English or Persian.

©️ Intellectual Property

You retain ownership and full rights to your original game and its original content, subject to any applicable third-party licenses and intellectual property rights.

By submitting your game, you grant the organizers permission to showcase and promote it for GameCraft-related purposes, with appropriate credit.

⚖️ Rule Violations

Failure to comply with these rules may result in score deductions, disqualification, or other appropriate action. The organizers reserve the right to resolve eligibility issues and clarify these guidelines when necessary.

Good luck, and have fun creating!

We look forward to seeing your interpretation of HOLLOW at GameCraft VI.