This is a good question. I feel it's more like a part of framework in the same way engines are. I too thought of setting up a template project for myself which includes simple menu and pause functions. It's something that takes up less than half an hour to make, but with 3 hour deadline it's a lot.
In the end, as quoted above, it's the other participants who decide ie. rate the game according to info provided.
I'm not participating on this particular weekend but also plan to join future jams semi-regularly :)