International Game Month (IGM) is an initiative to promote the value of games and gaming in libraries. IGM first started as National Games Day in US libraries in 2007 and has since expanded to encompass the whole month of November and include libraries around the world. 

For the15th anniversary of the original National Games Day we are launching the 1st International Game Month Games Jam. During the IGM Games Jam we are asking participants to create games connected to one or both of the following themes:

"The connections we make through reading"

"Happy Anniversary"

Further information for participants

How do I take part?

You just need to design a game connected to the IGM Games Jam themes in during the month of November. If you wish to share your games, you should upload them here on itch.io. Instructions for this can be found in the embedded video below.

What type of games can I make?

You can make any type of games from video games, board games, card games, roleplaying games, LARPs, megagames, alternative reality games…   we really don't mind as long as they are connected to our themes.

Who can take part?

The IGM Game Jam is open to anyone around the world. You can take part as an individual or as a group.

If you want to share your game on itch.io you will need to be 18 or older (or get a parent or guardian to share the game for you).

Do I need to go to a library to take part?

IGM is about promoting games in libraries and we’d love you to visit your library, but it isn’t a requirement of the jam. We do recommend you contact your local library anyway and let them know about IGM and the game jam; you never know how they might be able to help you with your design.

Can I charge for my game?

The games you submit to the jam remain your property and if you wish to charge for them, you can. However we would encourage you to consider sharing your games freely, especially with the libraries taking part in International Games Month.

Further information for libraries

What is a games jam?

A game jam is an event where participants try to make a game within a set time period.

How do we take part?

Libraries can take part in a variety of ways from running events to supporting games designers, or even creating games yourselves. Here are some suggestions of things you can do

• Run games design sessions
• Contact local games designers and host a networking event https://www.gamedevmap.com/
• Share assets that designers can use free of charge
• Advertise the jam

What does a games jam have to do with a library?

The games jam can be connected to existing library programming and priorities in many ways. Public and School libraries could use the jam alongside coding events, craft sessions or to engage with teens and young people. Academic libraries could use the jam for students designing learning games. No matter the sector the jam is an opportunity to build new connections and attract new audiences to your library.

How can we find out more about games jams?

ALA GameRT are co-sponsoring a webinar with the Indiana State Library for you to learn more about game jams. More details of this event can be found at https://indianastatelibrary.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?eventid=3620

We will also be adding resources to the main International Game Month page 

Do participants need to upload games to Itch?

Participants for your library’s events are not required to upload games to itch.io, but we would love it if they did. If they do upload games here, make sure they are submitted to the game jam. Once the International Games Month is over all the games created and uploaded will be available together on this page.

Do we need an Itch account?

You will only need a library itch.io account if you wish to upload games instead of individual participants. If you plan to do this, please make sure you have permission to do so from the games’ designers.

The International Games Month Games Jam is brought to you by the Games and Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association and the Public and Mobile Library Group of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

International Games Month is run by the Games and Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association in collaboration with the Associazione Italiana Biblioteche, the Australian Library and Information Association, Nordic Game Week and the Public and Mobile Library Group of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.