TAFE NSW Game Jam 2026

Turn a bold idea into a playable game in just a few days. Work with a team, build under pressure, and create something you're proud of.

This jam is open to enrolled TAFE NSW students. So join the course below to become an Enrolled TAFE NSW Student.

How to register

This jam is open to NSW residents only. To participate, you need to complete three steps:

1. Enrol in the course — this jam runs alongside a fully subsidised TAFE NSW course. Enrol in the Games Jam course before registering.
2. Complete the registration form — once enrolled, link your itch.io account to your enrolment record. Complete the registration form.

Participants who have not enrolled in the course will be removed from the jam.

A Microsoft Teams channel will be set up for updates and FAQs. The link will be shared with enrolled participants.

What is a game jam?

A game jam is a fast-paced event where developers create a playable game within a limited time. You can work solo or as part of a team of up to 5 members.

Coders, artists, designers, writers, and musicians are all welcome.

Theme

The Wake

How to participate

1. Form your team — up to 5 developers per team.
2. Register — enrol in the course and complete the registration form (see above).
3. Stay tuned — watch your email and this page for the theme announcement and any additional guidelines.
4. Build — create your game during the jam period.
5. Submit — upload your project to your itch.io account page first, then submit it to this jam before the deadline. Compressed submissions must be under 1GB - see info below if project is larger than 1GB compressed.
6. Celebrate — take pride in what you've built alongside your team.

Need to upload a large project? Use the Butler command-line uploader, or try a GUI alternative: gui-butler by Sean or Blendo Itch Uploader.

Judging

Games are assessed across 5 categories. Four are judged by an industry panel; one is voted on by participants. Theme implementation is considered as part of the three panel-judged creative categories.

• Theme implementation — how strongly the theme shapes the experience.
• Best gameplay — sponsored by Atlux. Fun and engaging mechanics.
• Best graphics — sponsored by Wacom. Visual quality and artistic direction.
• Best audio — sound design and music quality.
• People's choice — participants vote for their favourite game.

Official rules

Read the official rules document before you register.

Sponsors

Thank you to the industry partners supporting the 2026 TAFE NSW Game Jam.

By entering the TAFE NSW Game Jam 2026, participants grant sponsors of the event the right to use submitted games and related materials (including recordings, screenshots, and gameplay footage) for internal purposes, such as internal presentations and showcasing. Any use beyond this, including but not limited to external advertising, commercial use, or public-facing promotion, requires the sponsor to contact the participant directly to obtain separate consent prior to such use. 

TAFE NSW  |  RTO 90003  |  CRICOS 00591E  |  HEP PRV12049