❄️ Welcome to The Winter Game Jam 2023 ❄️

💫Hosted by: The UTwente GameGuild💫

The Winter Game Jam 2023 is a game development event, hosted by the UTwente GameGuild. During the event individuals and teams are tasked with creating a game that fits a given theme. All of this happens in just one weekend, to boot!😱

Location: SmartXP (Zilverling Building, University of Twente)

After the event concludes, our experienced gamedevs from the organization play everyone’s submissions on stream, providing live commentary and feedback. We also pick our favorites for each of The Jam’s categories. Additionally, Jammers themselves get to vote for their favorite game, which then gets the prestigious Jammer’s Choice Award for 2023! 🏆

⏱️Jam Timeline⏱️

🤨 FAQ 🤨

Just what the heck is a "Game Jam" anyway?

A Game Jam is a game development event with a start and end date. The idea is that people create an entire video game from scratch during this time period. Most often the games created have to follow a certain theme or other rules and restrictions. Usually after the jam ends, the participants play the games and vote on their favorites. For a concrete example or more information on game jams you can check out how Ludum Dare or The GMTK Jam do things.

When and where will the theme be announced?

The theme for this year's Winter Game Jam will be announced on February 10th 2023, here on our Itch.io page as well as on our Discord server.

Do I have to join physically?

You are welcome to work as best fits you. This means that you can do the jam entirely online. However, if you want to come to a physical space, work alongside your team (or rivals) and interact with the organization, you are welcome to come in person at SmartXP on the dates indicated in the timeline. We highly recommend coming to SmartXP if you have the time as you'll have access to worktables for your groups, TV monitors, a chill corner with couches and games where you can take a break, snacks, and even VR workstations for developing VR games in Unity!

Do I have to go at this alone?

No, not at all! You can work solo or in a team - whichever works best for you. We recommend a team size of 3 to 4 people, but you can have as many as you'd like.

Where can I find people to team up with?

You can always convince some of your friends to join you, but if that is not an option joining our Discord server is the fastest way to get connected to talented gamedevs at the UT.

Where do I submit my game?

You can submit your game here on our Itch.io page. Only one Itch.io account needs to submit, so in case you worked in a team, please have only one team member submit your game.

What if I can't submit on time?

Don't worry, if you cannot make our submission deadline of February 12th, we offer a second chance to do a "late submission" on February 13th instead. If you submit late you will be excluded from the organization's personal rankings, but you will still have a chance at getting The Jammer's Choice award.

What exactly is The Jammer's Choice award?

After The Jam concludes, you will get a time period where you can play and rate other people's submissions. The best ranked games amongst the jammer's will then claim The Jammer's Choice award.

How will the organization pick their favorites?

After The Jam ends, the organization will play all the submissions (excluding late ones) on stream, providing live commentary and feedback. Two days after this stream, we will announce our favorites in all categories.

What are the categories?

There will be different categories for which you can become a favorite both amongst your fellow jammers for The Jammer's Choice and amongst the organization. Think of "most original" or "most technical" or "overall best". The exact categories will be announced at the start of The Jam, alongside the theme.

Can I use third-party assets in my game?

You can! But they need to be listed in your submission, and will be taken into account while judging. Ofcourse you can be extra-proud of a game you made 100% yourself :)

Can I use ChatGPT for my game?

Use of any AI-powered tool such as ChatGPT, Dall-E or MidJourney is totally allowed. Go wild!

📜RULES📜

• Respect each other.
• Don't be an troll.
• Political, controversial, and NSFW topics are banned.
• All phobic, racist, sexist comments, or slang are immediate bans.
• Nicknames, emotes, avatars, status, and general conversation should be SFW.
• Any and all illegal activities committed or promoted is prohibited.
• All these rules also apply to the content of your submission.