Schedule

Keynote / Main Jam	13 March / 1pm EST
Rating & Feedback Begins	23 March / 1pm EST
Retro Indie Josh Feedback Stream	28 March / 1pm EST
Rating & Feedback Ends	30 March / 1pm EST
Winners and Ratings	30 March / 2pm EST
Winner(s) Analysis Videos (YouTube)	4 - 10 April

Jam Focus (Required): Retro Platformer

1. For the purposes of this jam, "Retro" refers to games made in the 1900s. 
2. Follow general graphical limitations for consoles such as the NES, Sega Genesis, Super NES, PlayStation, or Nintendo 64, or their contemporaries (or predecessors).
3. While you can produce and submit a genuine ROM/iso for a retro console, it's not a requirement. Use whatever engine and tools you like (as long as it runs on Windows - see the rules below).
4. For the purposes of this jam, "Platformer" refers to a game in which the player character can move (walk and/or run) and jump.
5. Often, the goal is to reach the end of a level or collect a set of items in the level, but these are not hard-required if you come up with a reasonable alternative.
6. Also typical of this era is that 3D platformers play chiefly with a third-person perspective. Despite some platforming in pre-2000 FPS games like Quake and Half-Life, a proper platformer in first-person wasn't really done.

Retro Platformer Series Some classic examples include: Super Mario (NES/SNES/N64) Sonic the Hedgehog (Gen) Castlevania (NES/SNES/PS1) Mega Man (NES/SNES/PS1) Rayman (PS1/N64) Banjo (N64)

Modern "Retro" Platformers Modern takes with a retro vibe include: Super Meat Boy The Messenger Gravity Circuit Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon Shovel Knight Pseudoregalia

Theme (Semi-Optional): [announced when the jam begins]

The theme is optional, but remember Theme/Limitation counts for 1/6th of your Community Choice score. Also, the theme can be a great way to come up with ideas if you're stuck!

More creative interpretations of the theme will generally score higher, but don't go so far that the theme is unrecognizable.

Diversifiers

Diversifiers are optional, but are a great way to help your game stand out. Plus, it's more fun (and more educational) to work with extra limitations.

Please targeting at most one diversifier. The purpose is to diversify entries, not to impress with squeezing them all into one prototype.

The diversifiers are TBD

Judging, Streams, and Videos

You (contributors to any game entered into this jam) determine the Community Choice by voting on games after the jam concludes. Check out the Ratings Guide for how to interpret categories and tips on good star ratings.

The highest overall rated game will be placed in the list of 8 Bits to Infinity jam winners.

Rules

Failure to abide by these rules will result in disqualification (removal from ratings) or removal from the jam, at the organizer's discretion.

Teams & Credit

• You can work solo or in a team of up to 4 members.
  • This total only includes people actively working on your team. For instance, if you include Retro Indie Josh's free-to-use music in the game, he's not part of the team.
• You must credit everything in the game, even if it's CC0 or Public Domain.
  • If you're unable to track down an exact source, just credit where you got the art/music.
  • Credits can be on the game page or in the game. If credits are only in the game, they must be accessible from the start for verification purposes.

Technical

• Your game must be available on the web or as a download that will work on Windows 11.
  • You are encouraged to create additional versions, such as Linux or Mac.
• No limitations on graphics, audio, engine, library, framework, programming language, and other tools.

Content

• Your game must use the jam focus, but the theme is optional.
  • However, note that the theme is a good chunk of your score.
• You may create any general-purpose code (i.e., not game-specific) before the jam begins, such as character controllers, project templates, menu functionality, AI library, etc.
• You may reuse general-purpose assets from past games.
  • We won't force you to draw another chair, but don't reuse a main character or full level art, for instance.
• All work must be human-created. Your entry may not contain any AI-generated content, including but not limited to art, audio, narrative, and code. If you must, use AI as strictly a research and educational tool. (We obviously can't police that.)
• You may not work on any game-specific elements such as design, art, music, or sound until the jam begins.
  • However, pre-jam discussion and brainstorming of general ideas is both allowed and encouraged.
• Any game-critical text must be in English.
  • While we understand and appreciate that our jams are international, this is the primary language for this jam.
• Your game must not contain extreme graphic violence, sexual content, or explicit language requiring an 18+ rating.
  • If you are unsure whether your game crosses this line, it probably does.
• Your game must not contain any hateful content including any violence, threat of violence, or discrimination against other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability, or serious disease.
• We encourage the use of trigger warnings if your game involves material a reasonable person would consider sensitive.

Submitting

• WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU UPLOAD AND SUBMIT EARLY.
  • You must upload all files before the deadline. File uploading will be locked as soon as the jam concludes.
  • You can edit answers to submission questions after submitting, but these will also lock when the deadline passes.
  • However, you can edit your game page (images, text, style) even after the deadline passes. (Just not files.)
• Step 1: Click the Join Jam button at the top of this page.
• Step 2: Make your game.
• Step 3: Create a game project page on itch.io and upload your game files. See this documentation for help.
• Step 4: Submit the game to the jam. After uploading your game, return to this page and click "Submit Your Project" at the top.
  • Be prepared to answer a few questions about your entry when submitting. You must answer all of these questions honestly and completely before the deadline.
  • Submission time is a hard deadline. No late submissions will be accepted.
  • Although you cannot modify files after the deadline has passed, you are still free to edit your game page. But note it is a violation of the rules to link to an updated version created after the deadline, and your entry will be removed.

About Us

8 Bits to Infinity is a game development community dedicated to improving creative and technical skills through rapid iteration and honest, critical feedback. Join us on Discord, check out our website, and take a look at our past jams and challenges.

The man behind 8 Bits to Infinity is Retro Indie Josh: gaming content creator and music producer. Check out his game music (free for you to use in jams and commercial projects!) and YouTube.