Welcome to Hypothesis Lab!
A recurring experiment in creativity. You build the games, you judge the results, and we analyze the data to uncover what our collective choices say about how we play, design, and think.
So what exactly is Hypothesis Lab?
Hypothesis Lab is a recurring jam in which game devs create games, vote on the games, and then we take the data from the jam to bring you an analysis of what your games and voting habits say about you. Think of it as a social experiment. The goal is not only to create better games by understanding what "sells," but also to understand external factors like how our biases and lived experiences help shape the games we create.
The schedule for this month's jam, January, goes as follows:
📢 Jam Launch & Theme Reveal: January 1st, 2026 | 3 PM Eastern Standard Time (US)
🛠️ Jam End: January 8th, 2026 | 3 PM Eastern Standard Time (US)
🗳️ Community Voting: January 8th, 2026 | 3 PM Eastern Standard Time (US) to January 15th, 2026 | 3 PM Eastern Standard Time (US)
📊 Data Analysis & Results Article: January 29th, 2026 | 9 AM Eastern Standard Time (US) (via Amata Talks Games)
The Jam's Theme Is...
Rules
-
You may work solo or in teams.
-
All games must be created within the jam window.
-
Any engine, toolset, or style is allowed.
-
Games must include a short developer note (2–3 sentences) describing how you interpreted the theme.
-
Keep submissions safe, inclusive, and respectful. No hateful or discriminatory content.
-
Optional but encouraged: Tag your game’s genre (e.g., narrative, puzzle, horror, platformer) to contribute more detailed data to the post-jam analysis.
How Voting Works:
After submissions close, the community will have a set voting period to play and rate entries.
Games will be judged based on:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| 🧠 Theme Interpretation | How creatively and meaningfully the game embodies the jam’s theme |
| 🎮 Gameplay Design | How engaging, polished, and enjoyable the core mechanics are |
| 📜 Narrative / Atmosphere | How effectively story, world, or tone enhance the experience |
| ✨ Creativity & Originality | How unique or unexpected the concept and execution feel |
Why this jam is different
Most jams end after the submission date, but this jam takes it a step further. We as game devs are inherently creative, but we also need to be inherently curious. Curiosity leads to some of the most industry-defining games ever made, with indie creators often leading the charge on innovation and change within the space. That's why, after the jam, as mentioned before, we will be doing an analysis on various aspects such as which games were submitted, which genres were rated the highest, and what mechanics the top-rated games share, if any at all.
Join the experiment
This is why I'm asking you, as devs and creatives alike, to submit a game. Use this as an opportunity to build your resume, showcase your skills, or simply have fun. The better we understand how games work and how players interact with them, the better the games we create can become. And isn't that what we as creatives strive for in our work? Progress? Improvement? I believe, and if you're reading this far I think you do too, that this jam can help improve our ability to make genre-defining and breathtaking games.
Let’s test that hypothesis, together.