Submissions open from 2025-12-26 06:00:01 to 2025-12-29 05:59:59
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Welcome to the GameDev Insiders Tiny Game Jam

Tiny games teach you how to finish. This jam is for solo devs and small teams who want a clear scope, a playable slice, and fast feedback.

We have run GameDev Insiders jams before with multiple entries.

Tiny Game Jam brings that energy back but with a sharper focus on small, finishable games.

What this jam is about

  • Make a tiny game you can finish in a weekend.
  • Keep the scope small so you can polish the core loop.
  • Share work in progress, learn from others, and have fun.

Each edition of Tiny Game Jam has a fresh theme, but the spirit stays the same. Small scope. Big results.

Theme

The theme will be announced in the GameDev Insiders Discord a few minutes before the jam starts.

Join the server here:
GameDev Insiders Discord

We will run a quick poll so you can help shape the theme before it locks in.

Schedule

  • Jam start: December 26, 2025
  • Submission deadline: December 28, 2025
  • Voting period: December 29, 2025 to January 4, 2026

You can join late and still submit, as long as your build is in before the deadline.

Rules

  • Anyone can enter, alone or in a team.
  • Your game should be small and follow the theme.
  • Use any engine or framework you prefer.
  • Free publicly available assets are allowed. If you use one, we encourage you to share the link in jam-general so others can find it too.
  • No NSFW content.
  • You will not be able to change your files after the jam ends, so upload on time.
  • Give proper credit for any third party assets or tools you use.
  • Your game must be playable in a web browser.
  • Your game remains your property. By submitting, you give GameDev Insiders permission to show your game in videos, streams, or posts about the jam.
  • You must join the GameDev Insiders Discord before submitting your game so we know you're part of the community.
  • We only accept submissions made specifically for the Tiny Game Jam.

Disallowed Submissions

These entries will be removed without notice.

  • No resubmissions of the same game to multiple jams.
  • No projects created before the jam window.
  • No empty projects, PDFs, images, or non-game uploads.
  • No spam entries or promotional links.
  • No unsafe or malicious files.
  • Your upload must be a playable game built for this jam.

Voting and criteria

This is a ranked jam. Submitters and contributors vote on each other’s games.

The main criteria are:

  • Fun – Is the core loop enjoyable?
  • Small Scope - Was the game focused on one tiny idea?
  • Slice Polish – Did the slice feel like a finished game?

Keep your game small so you can score high on polish instead of raw size.

Discord and community

During the jam we will hang out in the GameDev Insiders Discord. You can:

  • Share work in progress clips and screenshots.
  • Ask for one clear piece of feedback on your build.
  • See what other tiny teams are building.

Click here to join the GameDev Insiders Discord

Tips for a strong tiny game

  • Pick one core verb and build everything around it.
  • Aim for a player to reach a win or loss in under two minutes.
  • Cut features that do not touch the core verb.
  • Focus on clear feedback, juice, and feel.

Tiny is not a limitation. Tiny is a chance to finish, learn, and try bold ideas without burning out.

See you in the jam.