Theme: Reversed Reality / Elemental Anomalies *

*You can only choose one theme

Reversed Reality:

• For this Jam, participants are challenged to build their quizzes around the concept of inversion, contradiction, and topsy-turvy logic. The Reversed Reality theme should be a core inspiration, not just a cosmetic skin. We encourage quizzes where wrong answers are right, where players compete to be the least knowledgeable, or where the questions themselves subvert expectations. Imagine a history quiz where the only correct answers are deliberate anachronisms, a science quiz where physics operates backwards, or a trivia game where players earn points by creatively justifying incorrect answers. This theme is a direct call to embrace the Backwards Goal and Unconventional Questions criteria, fostering Rivalry through chaotic and unpredictable gameplay, while the Presentation & Polish can be used to build a wonderfully bizarre and immersive upside-down world for players to enjoy. 

Elemental Anomalies:

• For this jam, creators will design quizzes centred around the world of science, but with a twist. The theme, Elemental Anomalies, challenges participants to explore the unusual, fascinating, and downright bizarre aspects of the scientific world. In addition to straightforward questions about periodic table trends/planetary order/etc, we also want quizzes that focus on scientific blunders, paradoxical concepts, unusual occurrences in nature, or the strangest applications of physics. Imagine a quiz where players identify real creatures by their most unsettling scientific name, compete to be the first to spot the fatal flaw in a fictional experiment, Rivalry, or answer questions where the most obvious answer is deliberately wrong, Backwards Goal. This theme directly fuels Originality and Unconventional Questions by demanding a look beyond textbook science, encouraging a Game Style that is as educational as it is entertaining, all while testing the Presentation & Polish of a quiz that can make the strange and complex feel intuitive and fun.

To ensure a smooth and fair event, the Quiz Jam will follow a clear timeline and set of participation rules. The jam will run from a specified start date to a defined end date for submissions, followed by a separate period for rating and voting. The event is open to all itch.io account holders, and participants must start their projects after the jam officially begins; no pre-existing submissions are allowed. To maintain fairness, each individual can only be involved in a maximum of two entries, such as one solo project and one as part of a team.

All submissions must be original, browser-playable quizzes, built using HTML or JavaScript to guarantee easy access for all voters. It is crucial that you have the rights to all assets used, including any visuals, audio, or code libraries, and you must provide proper accreditation within your project files. Plagiarism of any kind will result in disqualification. Teams are welcome and can be of any size.

The judging will be based on a comprehensive set of criteria rated on a 5-star scale. Voters will evaluate entries on their originality, the quality of their questions, their adherence to the theme, their presentation & polish, their overall enjoyment, their rivalry (optional, will be given 3 if not in the quiz), their unconventional questions, their backwards goal, their game style, and the project's potential for further development. The final ranking will be determined by the average scores across these categories. To promote a fair voting environment, the rating system will be configured to prioritise evaluations from fellow submitters or a dedicated panel of judges.

To further ensure integrity and thorough judging, the "Rating Queue" feature will be activated. This requires each participant to rate a random set of entries before being allowed to rate others, which helps ensure that every quiz, not just the most popular ones, receives a fair number of reviews. This system is designed to create a more balanced and community-driven evaluation process, giving all creators an equal opportunity to have their work seen and judged on its merits.

Finally, by participating, you agree to the full rules posted on the jam's community page. Winners are solely responsible for any taxes associated with their prizes. The jam is free to enter, with no purchase necessary, making it a legal contest open to all. The host's role is to facilitate the event, and they are not responsible for distributing prizes among team members. We wish all participants the best of luck and look forward to seeing your creative and engaging quizzes!

Entries will be judged on a comprehensive set of criteria designed to reward both classic quiz design and innovative creativity. Originality will assess the unique concept and freshness of your quiz, while Question Type will evaluate its clarity, cleverness, and depth. Adherence to the Theme is crucial for maintaining the jam's focus, and Presentation & Polish will cover the visual and audio quality. Furthermore, we'll be looking for that intangible Overall Enjoyment factor, the sheer fun of the experience. Special attention will be given to elements that introduce Rivalry between players, the use of Unconventional Questions that break from trivial norms, and unique twists like a Backwards Goal where the objective is inverted. Finally, the distinct Game Style and mechanics that set your submission apart will be a key factor in the final ranking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Jam Info

Q: What is this Quiz Jam?

A: It's a game jam focused on creating fun, innovative, and browser-playable quizzes! The goal is to build a quiz that fits one of two exciting themes: Reversed Reality or Elemental Anomalies.

Q: When does the jam start and end?

A: Please check the main jam page for the exact dates! The timeline is divided into a Submission Period (to create and submit your game) and a separate Rating & Voting Period**.

Q: Is it free to enter?

A: Yes! The jam is completely free to enter. No purchase is necessary.

Theme & Concept

Q: Do I have to use both themes?

A: No! You must choose only one of the two themes (Reversed Reality or Elemental Anomalies) to build your quiz around.

Q: What does "Reversed Reality" mean for my submission?

A: This theme is all about inversion and contradiction. Think backwards logic, where wrong answers are right, players compete to be the least knowledgeable, or questions themselves subvert expectations. It's a direct call to embrace the Backwards Goal and Unconventional Questions judging criteria.

Q: What does "Elemental Anomalies" mean for my submission?

A: This theme focuses on the weird, wonderful, and bizarre side of science. Avoid straightforward textbook questions. Instead, focus on scientific blunders, paradoxical concepts, strange natural occurrences, or the most unsettling scientific facts. The goal is to make science education fun and unexpected.

Q: Does the theme just have to be a thought, or does it need to affect gameplay?

A: The theme should be a core inspiration, not just a cosmetic skin. It should influence your quiz's mechanics, goals, and the nature of the questions themselves.

Submission Rules

Q: How many entries can I be part of?

A: You can be involved in a maximum of five entries. 

Q: Are teams allowed?

A: Yes! Teams are welcome and can be of any size.

Q: Do I have to finish the whole of my submission?

A: As long as it runs in the HTML format, no, you do not have to.

Q: What technology can I use to build my quiz?

A: Your submission must be a playable quiz, built using the HTML script. This ensures all voters can easily access and play it.

Q: What are the rules for using assets (art, sound, code)?

A: You must have the rights to all assets used in your project. This includes any visuals, audio, or code libraries. All third-party assets must be properly credited within your project files. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.

Judging & Criteria

Q: How will my quiz be judged?

A: Entries will be rated on a 5-star scale across several criteria:

*   Originality: How unique and fresh is your concept?

*   Question Type: The clarity, cleverness, and depth of your questions.

*   Adherence to Theme: How well does your quiz embody your chosen theme?

*   Presentation & Polish: The quality of visuals, audio, and overall user experience.

*   Overall Enjoyment: How fun and engaging is the quiz to play?

*   Rivalry (Optional): Does your quiz create competition between players? (If not included, it will receive a default 3-star score.)

*   Unconventional Questions: Do your questions break from trivial norms?

*   Backwards Goal: Does your quiz have an inverted objective?

*   Game Style: The distinct mechanics that set your quiz apart.

Q: Who gets to vote?

A: The rating system is configured to prioritise evaluations from fellow submitters, a dedicated panel of judges and the public to ensure a fair process.

Q: What is the "Rating Queue" feature?

A: To ensure every quiz gets a fair number of reviews, the Rating Queue requires each participant to rate a random set of entries before they can rate others. This helps prevent only the most popular quizzes from being judged and gives all creators an equal opportunity.

Prizes & Legal

Q: Who is responsible for distributing prizes to team members?

A: The host is only responsible for awarding the prize (the ability to boast about winning this) to the submitted project. It is the team's sole responsibility to distribute any prizes among its members.

Q: What about taxes on prizes?

A: Winners are solely responsible for any taxes associated with their prizes.

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Good luck, and have fun creating!