Every April, Uncrank’d celebrates all things Pulp and this year is no different. With #PlaydatePrime kicking off a year‑long celebration of Playdate games, Uncrank'd is launching a month‑plus‑two‑day game jam dedicated to creating fun, friendly, low‑pressure Playdate games or apps in Pulp. 

  This jam is all about vibes over victory. No voting. No rankings. No stress. Just a community showing off what Pulp can do.

The theme: Chill

Chill is a very broad theme. The goal is simple: make something that makes people smile. No hard bosses, no deaths, game overs, no pressure. Just a cozy, chill experience.

Your game could be about:

• Penguin racing game.
• Building a snowman.
• A dating sim.
• An interactive lullaby or storybook.
• Or anything else that helps you relax after a stressful day or to wind down at night just before going to bed.

Let your creativity go wild, as long as the end result is chill.

Join the Uncrank'd Zine Discord to hang out with other participants, ask questions, and share progress.

Rules (the chill kind)

• Your game must be made in Pulp.
• Must be a brand‑new game.
• Teams of up to 5 people are welcome.
• AI‑generated assets are not allowed. We’re celebrating handmade creativity. This game jam is a great opportunity to collaborate with others. Read more about it in the FAQ below.
• This jam is open to all dev levels from first‑timers to veterans.
• No NSFW or discriminatory content. Keep it cozy, friendly, and accessible for all ages.
• Credit any pre‑made visual assets, libraries, or code you use.
• Since it's a chill jam, a small grace period (24–48 hours) after the deadline will be allowed. Send me a DM on Discord.

Most important: have fun and make something that makes you smile!

 Frequently Asked Questions - Stay tuned for more questions. 

Q: What's with the last minute game jam?
A: Check out the February 18th Quick News Update on Substack for the reason.

Q: Do I need a Playdate to join the jam?
A: No, you can download the Playdate Simulator and play games there or test directly in Pulp.  SquidGod's video explains how to setup on Windows, Mac and Linux.
If you're new to Pulp, check out SquidGod's video or here

Q: Can I submit more than one game?
A: If you feel that you can submit more than one game, go for it, but make sure that it's a new game that you made during the game jam period.

Q: Can I use AI tools to help with coding or problem‑solving in Pulp?
A: You’re welcome to use AI for learning, brainstorming, or troubleshooting, like asking for explanations, debugging help, or for general help. That’s no different from searching the Playdate dev forums or asking a dev a question.

However, all code, writing, music, and art in your final game/app should be created by you or your team not generated by AI. The jam is about celebrating your creativity and the accessibility of Pulp. If you’re not sure whether something crosses the line, send me a DM. The goal is to keep things chill, fair, and fun for everyone.

Q: Are there prizes?
A: A digital copy of Issue 11 will be emailed to you. If most of the games can't fit in issue 11, they'll be posted in The Folio. The link will be posted on the Uncrank'd Substack. 

Q: Can I make an app instead of a game?
A: Absolutely, as long as it's made in Pulp and fits the chill theme.

Q: Can I share my source code?
A: Yes, you can but it's not required.

Q: Can I share my devlog somewhere?
A:  Having a devlog is great for people to see the progress of your game. Post a link in the community forum from your Itch page or from the dev forums. If you ever want to have your devlog posted in Uncrank’d or The Folio, let me know.

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