Geekfest 2025 Game Jam – Retro Geek Edition

Launches Thursday 29 May | Closes 11:59pm Thursday 26 June 2025

The annual Geekfest Game Jam is back with a fresh new flavour, and this year’s theme is Retro Geek! Whether you’re a seasoned dev or just starting out, this 28-day challenge is your chance to flex those creative game-making muscles and show us your love for all things old-school geek.

Think pixel art, CRT fuzz, floppy disks, vintage gaming, 80s/90s pop culture, dial-up internet, VHS tape glitches, whatever Retro Geek means to you!

After the jam closes, a panel of local legends will play your games and award prizes from a prize pool of $1,000 for outstanding entries, including one for a standout creator under 18. 

Winners will be announced at Geekfest Top End Saturday 25 July 2025, where the games will also be playable by the public at The Array's Indie Games Arena!

• You have 28 days to build your game – work at your own pace!
• Use any game engine or framework you like.
• Work solo or in a team (we recommend teams of no more than 4).
• New to jams? Perfect! This is all about learning and having a go.
• Need help? Join the NT Game Designers Discord to ask questions, find teammates, or share progress.

1. Keep it Clean No NSFW, offensive or discriminatory content. This is an all-ages, inclusive jam.
2. NT-Only for Prizes You must be based in the Northern Territory and submit your entry via the official form to be eligible for prizes.
3. New Work Only No resubmissions of previous NT game jam entries. Let’s see something fresh!
4. Theme Integration Your game must include the words “Retro Geek” visibly in the game (title screen, credits, dialogue, etc.). This helps us verify entries and reduce spam.
5. Ages 10+ Participants must be at least 10 years old to take part.

Can I use premade assets? Yes, as long as you have the right licence and credit appropriately.

Can I use AI tools? Sure — but the final result should show human creativity too.

Do I need to code from scratch? Nope! Use tools, engines, or frameworks that work for you.

Can I work in a team? Absolutely. Just be sure everyone is credited and only one team member submits.

Judges will consider:

• Innovation – Did you try something unique?
• Gameplay – Is it fun? Smooth? Engaging?
• Design – How well do the art, audio, and visuals work together?
• Theme Use – Did you capture the Retro Geek spirit?

This event is proudly supported by: