JAM INTRODUCTION
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The Monarch Institute for Game Design and Development, in conjunction with ODU's English Department and Creative Writing program, is pleased to announce Shadows of the Imagination, a competitive, story-based game jam held in conjunction with the Fall 2025 Literary Festival.
Participants have roughly two weeks, from Monday, September 22, 2025 to Monday, October 6, 2025, to design games that are beyond belief. Submissions should be story-based and embody the theme of the game jam, which will be released on Monday, September 22, 2025. Participants can work individually or in teams and can submit board games, card games, and video games. The finished games will be featured during the Shadows of the Imagination showcase, which will be held in ODU's Game Design and Development Lab (MH 2116) on Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 6:00 - 9:00pm. Visitors to the showcase will have a chance to play the games.
Still looking for a team? Want to stay up to date on any information related to the jam? Want to share ideas and progress with other teams working on the jam? Please join our discord server! https://discord.gg/vEDQ3sDkkB
Does this peak your imagination? Click the join button above (itch.io account required)!
THEME
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The theme for the jam is.... REFLECTION
Seeing oneself in the still waters of a lake, light that bounces from mirrors to create a mind-boggling puzzle, a cunning character stuck in contemplation. How will you interpret this theme?
RULES
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1. All participants must be current ODU students or ODU alumni.
2. Jam participants may work alone or in a team of any size.
- Students may only participate on one team that submits a game for the jam.
3. Participants may submit a digital game using any game engine, or a tabletop game.
- Tabletop game submissions must include pictures of the completed game as well as a design document including game details and rules.
4. All submissions must relate to the theme: REFLECTION
5. The use of premade assets and audio is allowed as long as they are free, paid assets are not allowed. Any assets used need to be sourced properly.
6. The use of generative AI tools in any capacity is not allowed for this game jam. We want to see what you're capable of making, not ChatGPT!
7. All video game submissions must be IBM compatible and can be no larger than 1GB (the Itch.io limit).
8. All game submissions must be narrative-driven.
9. Do not violate ODU's honor code or student policy.
10. All submissions must be submitted to the jam page by the Oct 6th 8:00:00 PM deadline.
VOTING CATEGORIES
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NARRATIVE
- How effective is the game at telling a compelling story?
AESTHETIC
- How well do the visual and audio elements contribute to the game's style and appeal?
FUNCTION
- Is the gameplay experience smooth?
- Does the game contain any game-breaking errors or unfinished elements?
FUN FACTOR
- How fun is the game?
THEME
- Does the game relate to the theme in a meaningful way?
- Does the game interpret the theme in a creative or clever way?
SHOWCASE EVENT
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On October 9th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm we will hold a showcase event at Monarch Hall 2116. This event will serve as an opportunity for you to show off your game to peers and faculty. If you wish to show your game at the event please watch for upcoming emails containing more information.
PRIZES
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Shadows of the Imagination is a competitive game jam. Participants can win prizes based on how well their games perform in the voting categories, we will have a panel of judges present to determine the winners at the Showcase event on October 9th, 2025.
ODU GAME JAM ARCHIVE
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All previous ODU Game Jam's can be found here!
https://itch.io/jam/odu-serious-games-fall24
https://itch.io/jam/odu-serious-games-spring25
MORE INFORMATION
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Covert Art for Literary Festival:
Sarah R. Glaser, 2025, Isle of Dreams, Watercolor on paper, 22 x 30 inches
For more information please email along019@odu.edu or reach out to @pokerface126_11986 on Discord.