Jam Title: The Unconventional Grand Prix: A Game Design Race

Start your engines, developers! This isn't your average lap around the track. The Unconventional Grand Prix is a game jam focused on redefining what a "racing game" can be. We're looking for innovation, creativity, and fun beyond just being the fastest car on a paved circuit.

Whether it's snails racing over a fresh salad, thoughts racing through a mind, or two janitors racing to clean a hallway before the boss arrives—if there's a goal, a competitor (AI or player), and a finish line, you're in the right place! The goal is to explore the core concept of a "race" in video games.

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The Official Rulebook

1. The Golden Rule

All games must be created within the jam timeframe. You can use pre-made code snippets, public domain assets, or libraries you are familiar with, but you cannot start with a full pre-built racing game template and simply "add to it." The goal is to create something new during the jam!

2. The Core Constraints (Your Mandatory Checkpoints)

Your game must include the following three elements:

*   A) The Rival: There must be at least one other entity to race against. This can be:

    *   Another player (local/online multiplayer).

    *   An AI-controlled opponent (a "ghost," a CPU racer, etc.).

    *   A ticking clock that you must beat (a "time trial").

*   B) The Course: There must be a defined path or space where the race occurs. This doesn't have to be a literal track! It could be a series of checkpoints in an open world, a path through a network of neurons, or a linear hallway.

*   C) The Finish: There must be a clear, definable end to the race and a way to determine a "winner" (even if that winner is just "you beat the clock!").

3. The Innovation Lap (Optional but Encouraged Themes)

To fuel your creativity, here are three optional themes. You can use one, all, or none! Using a theme might score you bonus points in the judging.

*  A)  Theme 1: Unconventional Vehicles.

*  B) Theme 2: Backwards Goal.  The objective is not to be first. Maybe you need to be last, or you need to arrive at the same time as your opponent.

*  C) Theme 3: Shifting Gears. The rules of the race change partway through. The track reverses, gravity flips, or you switch vehicles with your opponent.

4. Submission Guidelines

*   Your game must be playable in a web browser (via HTML5/WebGL) for ease of judging.

*   If your game is a native build (e.g., for Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, etc), please provide clear instructions.

*   You must provide a game jam page on itch.io for your project and submit it to this jam.

*   Your submission must include:

    *   A) A playable build.

    *   B) At least one screenshot.

    *   C) Basic controls listed.

    *   D) Credits for any non-original assets (sound, art, music) used.

5. The Judging Criteria (How to Win the Podium)

After the submission deadline, participants will rate each other's games. Please rate as many games as you can!

We will be judging on the following criteria (1-5 stars each):

*   A) Innovation & Creativity: How uniquely does the game interpret the "racing" genre? Does it surprise and delight us?

*   B) Fun & Game Feel: Is the game enjoyable to play? Does it feel good to control? Is there a satisfying sense of speed, progression, or competition?

*   C) Adherence to Theme: How well did the game use the jam's core constraints and/or optional themes? (Note: This is weighted, so a game that perfectly executes the core constraints will do well here, even without the optional themes).

*   D) Presentation & Polish: How do the visuals, audio, and overall aesthetic contribute to the experience? This isn't about high-fidelity graphics, but a cohesive and polished style.

*   E) Overall Enjoyment: The simple, gut-feeling score. How much did you personally enjoy your time with the game?

6. Code of Conduct

*   Be excellent to each other. 

*   This is a friendly, inclusive jam focused on creativity and learning. 

*   Harassment, hate speech, or submitting offensive content will result in disqualification and removal from the jam.

*   Respect the intellectual property of others. Only use assets you have the right/permission to use.

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Ready, Set, Go!

The green flag is about to drop. Gather your team, brainstorm your wildest racing ideas, and get ready to create something amazing. Remember, the goal is to learn, have fun, and expand the definition of a race.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

*   Q: Can I work in a team?

    *   A: Absolutely! Solo devs and teams of all sizes are welcome.

*   Q: What engine can I use?

    *   A: Any! Unity, Godot, Unreal, Pico-8, GDevelop, Construct, or even code from scratch.

*   Q: My game is more of a "runner" than a "racer." Is that okay?

    *   A: If it has the core elements of a rival, a course, and a finish line, then yes! The line between a runner and a racer is very thin.

*   Q: Can I submit a game I started before the jam?

    *   A: No. The spirit of the jam is to create something new. You can still use parts of a previous game.

*   Q: Can I use AI to code?

    *   A: No. Unless you use it in very tiny amounts and give a note that you used AI.

*   Q: What colour scheme should I use?

    *   A: Any. As long as the enemy, track, score and yourself are visible. 

*   Q: Do I have to include screenshots/videos of how my game looks?

    *   A: Yes, you have to include at least one screenshot and/or one gameplay video.

Now, rev your creative engines and may the best concept win.