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Australia NSW residents only - Please register by enrolling to this TAFE NSW course - TAFE Statement of Attainment in Games Jam 800-000683-25CHE-010 - Any Location via Virtual Classroom (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu) - Full Time | TAFE NSW

You must also fill out this form TAFE NSW Game Jam 2025 Registration Form – Fill out form as soon as you have enrolled so we can ensure all who are participating are enrolled in the course. If you are not enrolled in the course, you will be removed from this game jam.

Join the MS Team channel here for more updates and FAQ's - General | TAFE NSW 2025 Game Jam | Microsoft Teams

Welcome to the ultimate showdown of creativity and code! This isn’t just a jam; it’s your chance to turn wild ideas into playable reality. Whether you’re here to craft worlds, design epic mechanics, or just have fun, the clock is ticking, and the challenge is on. Build. Play. Break. Repeat. Let’s make something unforgettable!

What is a Game Jam?
A game jam is a fast-paced, collaborative event where participants create a playable game within a limited time frame, usually 24 to 72 hours. It’s all about creativity, experimentation, and having fun while learning new skills. You can work solo or in a team (up to 5 members), and the goal is to turn ideas into games as quickly as possible. No experience? No problem! Game jams welcome everyone, from coders and artists to storytellers and sound designers

Theme

8/12/2025 UPDATE:We’re excited to announce the theme for this year’s TAFE NSW 2025 Game Jam: “One Room.”  

Interpret it however you want and take it in whatever creative direction inspires you. We can’t wait to see what you come up with! 

Prizes/Sponsors

Wacom have sponsored one team prize of each person in the team receiving an Intuos Small each. Wacom Pen Tablets

18 Degrees Film and Entertainment have also sponsored one team prize of a merch bundle for their upcoming game Metropius Signal. Based on their IP Metropius - Sci-fi Dieselpunk TV Series + Game | Metropius

RJ's Printables are supplying trophies for the teams.

Jam Details:

REQUIREMENTS:

Game must incorporate the theme in some way. Better incorporation, higher chance of winning.

Game must have at minimum 5 minutes of gameplay.

Game must be either playable in browser or as a fully packaged .exe

Game must have the TAFE NSW logo showing in a Splash Screen, Or Main Menu (this is provided in the Microsoft Teams Resources).

Game must have the Wacom Logo showing in a splash screen, or main menu (this is provided in the Microsoft Teams resources)

Game must have the 18Degrees logo showing in a splash screen, or main menu (this is provided in the Microsoft Teams resources)

Games must have the RJ's Printables logo showing in a splash screen, or main menu (this is provided in the Microsoft Teams resources)

Games must not exceed a PG rating according to the Australian Classification Board (ACB).

Any form of discrimination will result in instant disqualification.

You also acknowledge that the game you make within this jam is able to be used in campaigns and other social media networks of TAFE NSW.

You CAN!

Use Engine specific templates.

Use pre-existing assets you have created, including models, music, etc.

Use pre-existing code/scripts you have developed.

Use marketplace assets. If you do, you will have to credit your assets

Use Generative AI but you must disclose what tools and where you used it.
- Self-Made assets are favoured by Judges, over-reliance on AI will affect scores.

You CAN'T

Use a game you have been developing before the Game Jam.

Include any NSFW assets, themes, images, music, etc in your submission.

How to Participate

Form Your Team: of up to 5 members. Don't worry if you're from different disciplines — diversity fuels creativity!

Register: Sign up for the Game Jam on this page to officially register your team. Be sure to provide your team's name and member details.

Stay Tuned: Keep an eye on your emails and this page for updates, including the theme announcement and any additional guidelines.

Create, Create, Create: Once the Jam begins, dive headfirst into game development! Whether you're an experienced coder, an aspiring artist, or a storytelling prodigy, there's a place for you in game development.

Submit Your Entry: When the 3 days are up, submit your game before the deadline (10/12/2025 11:59:59PM). Don't forget to include a brief description, screenshots, and any other relevant information about your creation.

>> You need to upload your game to your Itch.io account page before you can submit it to the TAFE NSW 2025 Game Jam page. <<

NOTE: In order to submit your game to Itch.io, your .zip file must be UNDER 1GB. This won't affect most projects, but please be mindful of the size of your game once compressed. If your file is more than 1GB, you may utilize the Butler tool to upload your files to Itch.io. More info on that is here, And check out this GUI version gui-butler by Sean. Also, check out Blendo Itch Uploader, a GUI for uploading projects to Itch.io.

Celebrate: Sit back, relax, and celebrate your hard work! Take pride in what you've accomplished alongside your fellow Teammates.

Judging

There are "5" categories for judging, "4" of those are judged by a panel and one is judged by you. The description next to each category is what will score you 10 points in the judged categories, so aim high. Please note, the theme implementation is considered across the other "3" other categories.

Theme Implementation: The theme is seamlessly integrated into the game, making it essential to the game's identity and experience. Without it, the game wouldn't make sense.

Best Gameplay: The game is exceptionally enjoyable and engaging, with high potential for widespread appeal and downloads.

Best Graphics: Outstanding graphics that are highly detailed, unique, and enhance the game experience significantly.

Best Audio: Exceptional audio quality that greatly enhances the overall game experience and immersion.

People's Choice: This is where you have to vote on each other's games and decide as a group who wins.