Asylum - IGDA x ENTRY LVL Pride Game Jam 2026

Asylum - IGDA x ENTRY LVL Pride Game Jam 2026  is a 2 month game jam created by the IGDA LGBTQ+ Special Interest Group (SIG) and ENTRY LVL, in collaboration with the IGDA Women in Gaming + SIG and AAPI in Gaming.

Drawing on the UNHRC's definition, 'asylum' is a word used to describe an individual's need to leave a situation that poses serious harm to them (bodily or otherwise) in search of safety. Oftentimes, the first step in seeking asylum is to leave home which involves leaving behind everything and everyone you know in a  grueling effort to reach safety. Striking examples of games that cover these topics are Papers Please, This War of Mine and Bury Me, My Love, although we encourage you to bring your own interpretation(s) to the theme.

For more information, see UNHRC What is Asylum? and UNHRC Understanding Refugees Journeys in Videogames.

Rules

1. Developers may create any kind of game for this jam and may use any engine they desire. This includes interactive fiction, visual novels, TTRPGs, etc. As long as your submission is a game, it is allowed.
2. Your game can be based on original content. 
3. Games may be worked on either solo or in teams.
4. Tag your submissions appropriately. If your game contains themes such as substance abuse, violence, sexual themes, etc., please use the appropriate content warnings both on your game's itch.io page and within the game itself (such as in a splash screen).
5. Absolutely no bigotry allowed. Any games that encourage or glorify topics such as racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, etc. will be disqualified.
   1. We understand that homophobia and transphobia are sometimes tied to family or life events. If these are necessary to tell your story, please add the proper content warnings.  If homophobia or transphobia are used to berate or otherwise harm the LGBTQ+ community, your submission will be removed.
6. No use of AI-generated assets is allowed, including text, images, audio, code, etc. If your submission contains any AI-generated content, it will be removed from the jam.
   1. If you do not know how to make certain assets, you may use pre-made assets from the storefront of your choosing. Remember to credit creators for any and all assets that you use in your final project.
   2. Do not use copyrighted images, audio, etc. in your entries if you do not have the permission of the creator. Do not claim assets you did not create as your own.
7. If you choose to include sexual content in your game, please mark your project as for adults only.
   1. You can do this by using the tags 'nsfw', 'erotic', or 'adult' without having to use the metadata tab.
8. You may start working on your entry before the jam starts. Do not submit previously-published games for this jam.
   1. Submitting your entry for multiple jams that are happening in the same time frame as  our 2026 Pride Jam is allowed.
   2. Using pre-made code, UI elements, or other assets is allowed. We do hope that most of your content for this jam is new. Show off the new skills you learned!
9. Submitting demos is allowed. However, we do ask that all submissions are "complete" and include no game-breaking bugs or issues.
10. Developers do not need to be members of the IGDA to submit an entry.
11. You may monetize your game. 
12. The jam hosts have the jurisdiction to disqualify any jam entries they feel are harmful or otherwise go against the rules to ensure safe conduct and play for both developers and players.

FAQ

Q: I would love to work on this game with others, but I do not know how to find contributors!

A: Developers may join the IGDA LGBTQ+ SIG Discord or the ENTRY LVL Discord to find fellow participants! You do not need to be a paid member of either group to join. Servers are 18+ only.

Q: I did not get to finish my game during the jam period, am I allowed to update the game after the jam period is over?

A: Yes! We would recommend uploading a separate project. Indicate which one is the jam version and which one is the complete version.

Q: Is this jam ranked?

A: Yes. This jam will be judged by judges from the IGDA LGBTQ+ SIG, IGDA WIG+ SIG and ENTRY LVL. Judging will be based on two categories, Overall Presentation and  Commitment to Theme.

Q: Will there be prizes?

A: Yes. Winners of the jam will be awarded with Steam vouchers, IGDA Membership vouchers and trophies, distributed according to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place (NOTE: IGDA Memberships are for only for those 18+).

Q: Does my game need to feature marginalisedcharacters or relationships to be eligible? Do I have to identify under the banner of a marginalised identity to participate?

A: You do not need to include marginalised characters or relationships. The focus of this jam is to highlight the work of marginalised developers and their allies. As such, you do not need to identify yourself as being of a marginalised identity, but it is recommended to use this opportunity to collaborate with developers who do