itch.io

☀️ Around ±10 days until the GoedWare Summer Jam 2026! ☀️

Mark your calendars, the jam runs August 1st – August 16th, 2026 and you’re invited to join solo or with a team.
That’s 16 days of creativity, experimentation, collaboration, and fun!

🎮 Join Now: GoedWare Summer Jam 2026 @ itch.io 
📣  Theme: The theme will be revealed at the start of the jam 

Get ready to Create | Learn | Shine ✨

🎮 Around 2 months until the 17th GoedWare Game Jam! 🕹️

Mark your calendars, the jam runs September 18th – September 28th, 2026 and you’re invited to join solo or with a team.
That’s 10 days of creativity, experimentation, collaboration, and fun!

🎮 Join Now: GoedWare Game Jam #17 @ itch.io 
📣  Theme: The theme will be revealed at the start of the jam 

Get ready to Create | Learn | Enjoy 🕹️

PS:
You can also join our GoedWare Summer Jam 2026 here: GoedWare Summer Jam 2026 @ itch.io ☀️
Start: August 1st, 2026 | End: August 16th, 2026

☀️ Around 3 weeks until the GoedWare Summer Jam 2026! ☀️

Mark your calendars, the jam runs August 1st – August 16th, 2026 and you’re invited to join solo or with a team.
That’s 16 days of creativity, experimentation, collaboration, and fun!

🎮 Join Now: GoedWare Summer Jam 2026 @ itch.io 
📣  Theme: The theme will be revealed at the start of the jam 

Get ready to Create | Learn | Shine ✨

In addition to the main prizes sponsored by GoedWare, we also have bonus prizes generously provided by our supporting sponsors. These sponsors help make the jam even more exciting by offering extra rewards for the participants! 

CraftPix.net is an online store and resource specializing in providing high-quality premium and free 2D game assets for game developers, indie studios, and hobbyists.

__________________________________________

Bonus Prizes from Our Supporting Sponsors

In addition to the main prizes sponsored by GoedWare, we also have bonus prizes generously provided by our supporting sponsors. These sponsors help make the jam even more exciting by offering extra rewards for the participants! 

A big thank you to all our supporting sponsors for contributing these additional prizes and helping make this event even better!

Current Supporting Sponsors: 

CraftPix.net is an online store and resource specializing in providing high-quality premium and free 2D game assets for game developers, indie studios, and hobbyists.

CraftPix.net will sponsor the following prizes for the top 3 in the public & jury ranking:

• 1-year Craftpix Membership

🎮  GOEDWARE GAME JAM #17 ✨

Ready to bring your game dev ideas to life?

Join us for the 17th edition of the GoedWare Game Jam, kicking off on September 18th, 2026!

Whether you're a solo developer or jamming with friends in a team, this is your chance to build something fun, original, and share it with a supportive community of fellow game makers.

Tagline: Create | Learn | Enjoy

Over the course of 10 exciting days, you’ll challenge yourself to:

• 🎭 Embrace the Theme – A surprise theme will be announced at the start to spark your creativity.
• 👥 Collaborate & Connect – Join our Discord to meet fellow devs, get feedback, or find a team.
• 🌟 Showcase Your Work – Submit your game and gain recognition through public voting and jury rankings.
• 🚀 Level Up – Use this time to experiment, grow your skills, and try something new.

📅 Save the Dates:

• Jam Duration: September 18th - September 28th, 2026
• Theme Reveal: September 18th, 11:00 AM (CET)

🔗 Join the Challenge: GoedWare Game Jam #17 @ itch.io
🌐 Connect with Us on Discord: GoedWare's Hub

Engage with like-minded creators and share your progress.  Let’s come together to create incredible games, foster new ideas, and celebrate the joy of game development. 

🎮 Dream big, create boldly, and make your mark in GoedWare Game Jam #17! ✨

Please check Prizes & Awards section on the main itch.io page: https://itch.io/jam/goedware-summer-jam-2026 

☀️ GOEDWARE SUMMER JAM 2026 🎮

Catch the summer vibe. Try something new. Finish something small. Share it. 🏖️

Join us for the first GoedWare Summer Jam, kicking off on August 1st, 2026!

This is a three-weekend community jam about trying something new, finishing something small, sharing your game, playing each other’s creations and giving useful feedback.

Whether you're a solo developer or jamming with friends in a team, this is your chance to build something fun, original and summery with a supportive community of fellow game makers.

Tagline: Create | Learn | Shine ✨

Over the course of around 16 calendar days, you’ll get the chance to:

• 🎭 Embrace the Theme: A surprise theme will be announced at the start to spark your creativity.
• 🌴 Try Something New: Experiment with a new idea, mechanic, engine, tool, genre, art style or workflow.
• 🎮 Keep It Small: Focus on making one small, finished game you can proudly share.
• 💬 Play & Give Feedback: Play other submissions, leave useful comments and help fellow developers improve.
• 👥 Connect with the Community: Join our Discord to brainstorm ideas, share progress, ask questions or find a team.

📅 Save the Dates:

• Jam Duration: August 1st to August 16th, 2026
• Theme Reveal: August 1st, 11:00 AM CET 

🔗 Join the Challenge: GoedWare Summer Jam @ itch.io
🌐 Connect with Us on Discord: GoedWare's Hub

This edition is lighter and more relaxed than our regular numbered GoedWare Game Jams. The goal is simple: catch the summer vibe, try something new, finish something small and enjoy making games together.

☀️ Let’s create fun games, try bold ideas and enjoy a creative summer with the GoedWare community!! ✨

Feel free to ask questions about the jam here..!

Use this topic to find team members for the Game Jam or go to our discord channel:  https://discord.gg/PNMKywspdb 

@ Discord there is also a collaboration channel to look for other participants to try to find and form a team.

Post here some handy links to free game development resources for your fellow Game Jam participants.

Some resources to help you started:

• Blender, for 3D  models and can also do 2D and/or sculpting: https://www.blender.org
• Freesound.org: https://freesound.org | License: https://freesound.org/help/faq/#wait-this-is-all-free
• 8bit Sound Generator: https://www.bfxr.net/ | License: You have full rights to all sounds made with bfxr, and are free to use them for any purposes, commercial or otherwise.
• Kenny Assets: https://kenney.nl/assets | License: CC0 1.0 Universal
• Color Scheme Generator: http://colormind.io/
• Color Scheme Designer: https://paletton.com/
• Open Game Art: https://opengameart.org | License: https://opengameart.org/content/faq#q-how-to-credit
• Piskel,  a free online editor for animated sprites & pixel art:  https://www.piskelapp.com/
• Mixamo, animations: https://www.mixamo.com/
• Tree It, free tree creation tool: http://www.evolved-software.com/treeit/treeit 
• WOWIE Asset Pack (by Jonas Tyroller): https://jonas-tyroller.itch.io/wowie-pack
• LabChirp, a powerful and versatile sound effect generator: https://labbed.itch.io/labchirp
• Kay Lousberg free Game Assets: https://kaylousberg.com/game-assets
• ChipTone, a free tool for generating sound effect: https://sfbgames.itch.io/chiptone | License: All sounds created using ChipTone are free to use for any purpose, commercial or otherwise, under the CC0 licence. 
• Beepbox, BeepBox is an online tool for sketching and sharing instrumental music: https://www.beepbox.co
• Material maker, for procedural materials: https://rodzilla.itch.io/material-maker
• Audacity for editing audio: https://www.audacityteam.org
• Game idea generator, for if you're completely stuck on an idea: http://ygd.bafta.org/resources/game-idea-generator
• Ship Mixer, create ships that perfectly fit the shmup style:  https://kenney.itch.io/ship-mixer (License see link)
• Creature Mixer, create characters that perfectly fit the platformer style:  https://kenney.itch.io/creature-mixer (License see link)
• Some amazing free CC0 low poly places/characters/props: https://elbolilloduro.itch.io/
• Texture tool:  https://www.codeandweb.com/texturepacker
• Collection of low poly stuff: https://github.com/Miziziziz/Retro3DGraphicsCollection
• Inkscape: a free and open source vector graphics creation tool. https://inkscape.org/
• LibreSprite: LibreSprite is an open source version of AseSprite. https://libresprite.github.io/#!/
• Pixel Art Sprite Mixer. It has 100 Pixel Art Top-Down Animations, attack anims, weapons, swimming, teleporting, energy charging, jumps and ninja runs + more. Also has over 400 Items/Armors.  I made it to help beginners, indies devs & game jammers. https://kingbell.itch.io/pixel-sprite-mixer
• GDD Wizard is a browser-based tool built for jam teams to plan, organize, and finish stronger. Try it out here: https://studio-erza.itch.io/gdd-wizard
• Procedural music generator: https://pernyblom.github.io/abundant-music/, CC0 licence and https://musical-artifacts.com/ has lots of publicly licensed sound fonts for rendering the midi files that abundant music generates.

Q: What is the theme for this jam?
A: The theme will be announced at the frontpage and on Discord when the jam begins.

Q: Who can vote?
A: In our game jams, voting is restricted to submitters only. This decision was made after some teams in previous jams downvoted all competing entries. Team members are still welcome and encouraged to leave comments of course.

Q: Who can participate?
A: Anyone! All experience levels are welcome, and you can work solo or in a team. We recommend keeping teams to 4 members or fewer.

Q: Can I use any game engine?
A: Yes! You can use any engine or framework, such as Unity, Godot, Unreal, GameMaker, GDevelop, custom engines, or anything else you like. Just make sure your game follows the jam rules and connects to the theme.

Q: Can I submit multiple games?
A: No. For this Summer Jam, each participant or team may submit one entry. Because this jam runs across three weekends, we want participants to focus on making one small, finished game and on playing and giving useful feedback to others.

Q: Are AI tools allowed?
A: You may use AI tools to assist with coding and asset creation (such as art, music, or sound effects). However, the majority of the code must be your own work, and any AI-generated content should be used thoughtfully and ethically. If you use AI-generated assets, make sure they respect copyright rules and do not resemble or replicate existing copyrighted content.

Q: What about music, fonts, and assets?
A: You can use assets, music, sound effects, fonts, plugins, templates, snippets, workflows and tools that you have the legal right to use. This includes assets you already own, such as assets from the Unity Asset Store, Unreal Marketplace, itch.io asset packs or other asset stores. Make sure everything is properly licensed and credited where needed. Avoid infringing on copyrights or trademarks. Assets bought in the stores usually (99.9%) have the correct license to use them in our jam.

Q: Can I edit my game files after submitting?
A: No. Game file edits and uploads are locked after the deadline, so make sure your game files are ready before you submit. You can still update your project page with text, screenshots, images, instructions and extra information.

Q: Does my game have to be a certain format?
A: No. Browser builds are recommended if you want more players and ratings, because many people prefer not to download files during a jam. Downloadable builds are also allowed. If possible, at least make sure a Windows version is available.

Q: Can I submit a game that I already started on?
A: No. Your submitted game should be made during the jam period. You may use existing tools, templates, assets, plugins, snippets, workflows or libraries if you have the right license and credit them where needed, but the actual submitted game should be created during the jam.

Q: What are the rating categories?
A: Games will be rated on Gameplay / Fun / Engagement, Creativity / Experiment, Art Style / Visuals, Audio / Sound Design and Theme. The Bold Experiment Award is linked to the Creativity / Experiment category.

Q: Is there a Devlog Award?
A: No. Devlogs are welcome, but there is no separate Devlog Award for this Summer Jam. You can still add a devlog to your game page if you want to share your process, lessons learned or behind-the-scenes development story.

Q: What is the Easter Egg Challenge?
A: There is no Easter Egg Challenge in this edition. The Summer Jam keeps the format lighter and more focused on experimenting, finishing, sharing and feedback.

Q: How many ratings do I need to be eligible for prizes?
A: Each game currently needs at least 10 ratings to qualify for prizes. Playing, commenting and rating other games will help increase your own game's visibility and chances of receiving ratings. The minimum rating requirement may be adjusted based on the number of participants and submissions.

Q: How does the judging work?
A: Participants rate the submitted games during the rating period. The Community Favorite is the game ranked #1 in the public results. There will also be a Jury Ranking. The jury will choose the Top 3 Jury Winners from the Public Top 15. This keeps the jury selection connected to the community results, while still allowing the jury to reward strong overall games. The Feedback Award is selected manually and is awarded to the participant who gives the most helpful, detailed and constructive feedback on other entries.

Q: Can jury prizes stack with other awards?
A: Yes. Jury ranking prizes can stack with the Community Favorite, Feedback Award or Bold Experiment Award.

Q: Is there a place to connect with other participants?
A: Yes! Join our Discord Server to chat, brainstorm, share progress and connect with the community: https://discord.gg/PNMKywspdb

Q: Can I submit my game to other jams?
A: Yes, you are allowed to submit your game to other jams, but please follow these rules:

• Your game must still connect to the GoedWare Summer Jam theme.
• You cannot start working on your game before the GoedWare Summer Jam officially begins.
• Your submission must follow the rules of this jam.
• If another jam has different rules, make sure you follow their rules as well.

Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Feel free to ask in the jam community section or reach out on Discord, and we will be happy to help!

Bonus Prizes from Our Supporting Sponsors

In addition to the main prizes sponsored by GoedWare, we also have bonus prizes generously provided by our supporting sponsors. These sponsors help make the jam even more exciting by offering extra rewards for the participants! 

A big thank you to all our supporting sponsors for contributing these additional prizes and helping make this event even better!

Current Supporting Sponsors: 

CraftPix.net is an online store and resource specializing in providing high-quality premium and free 2D game assets for game developers, indie studios, and hobbyists.

CraftPix.net will sponsor the following prizes for the top 3 in the public & jury ranking:

• 1-year Craftpix Membership

In addition to the main prizes sponsored by GoedWare, we also have bonus prizes generously provided by our supporting sponsors. These sponsors help make the jam even more exciting by offering extra rewards for the participants! 

CraftPix.net is an online store and resource specializing in providing high-quality premium and free 2D game assets for game developers, indie studios, and hobbyists.

__________________________________________

1.  First add a Game to your itch.io account.
2.  You can add the game content later for submission to the Jam
3.  In the menu you now have a Devlog menu option:
4. Add one or multiple posts to your Devlog
5. Users will see an extra section on your game page: Development log.  They can click it and read your developer logs.

(* Tip by user: To add a New Game it can be needed to upload a zipped index.html file (the file is empty, but it is needed like that to fulfil the requirements mentioned in the corresponding Upload section).

Q: What is the theme for this jam?
A: The theme will be announced at the frontpage and on Discord when the jam begins.

Q: Who can vote?
A: In our game jams, voting is restricted to submitters only. This decision was made after some teams in previous jams downvoted all competing entries. Team members are still welcome and encouraged to leave comments of course.

Q: Who can participate?
A: Anyone! All experience levels are welcome, and you can work solo or in a team (recommended max 4 members).

Q: Can I use any game engine?
A: Yes! You can use any engine or framework, such as Unity, Godot, Unreal, GameMaker, etc. Just ensure your game fits the jam’s rules and theme.

Q: Can I submit multiple games?
A: Yes, if you have the time and energy, you’re welcome to submit more than one game!

Q: Are AI tools allowed?
A: You may use AI tools to assist with coding and asset creation (such as art, music, or sound effects). However, the majority of the code must be your own work, and any AI-generated content should be used thoughtfully and ethically. If you use AI-generated assets, make sure they respect copyright rules and do not resemble or replicate existing copyrighted content.

Q: What about music, fonts, and assets?
A: You can use royalty-free music and audio assets you own, with proper credits and licenses. Make sure all assets adhere to copyright and licensing rules. You may use assets you already own, such as those from the Unity Asset Store or Unreal Marketplace. Ensure that all assets are properly licensed and that you have permission to use them. Avoid infringing on copyrights or trademarks. Assets bought in the stores usually (99.9%) have the correct license to use them in our jam.

Q: Can I edit my game files after submitting?
A: No, submissions are locked after the deadline, so make sure everything is ready before you submit!

Q: Does my game have to be a certain format?
A: No, but remember that not all users have Windows/Mac/Linux devices. Browser-based games are a great idea to maximize accessibility. At least make sure a Windows version is available.

Q: Can I submit a game that I already started on?
A: No, it is required that all participants create their games entirely within the jam period.

Q: What are the rating categories?
A: Games will be rated on Art/Visuals, Gameplay/Fun, Audio/Sound Design and Theme, with a special Feedback jury category for participants who provide thoughtful feedback on others’ games

Q: What is the Special "Devlog" Category?
A: Participants are invited to create a devlog as part of their submission. A devlog offers an excellent opportunity to showcase your game development journey, share insights, and help others learn from your experience. While optional, it’s highly encouraged and adds an extra layer of engagement to your project. Plus, by participating in this challenge, you stand a chance to win an exciting prize!

Q: What is the Easter Egg Challenge?
A: Participants are encouraged to include a creative Easter egg in their game. This can be a joke, a secret power-up, a hidden shortcut, or anything else that surprises and delights players.

Q: How many ratings do I need to be eligible for prizes?
A: Each game needs at least 10 ratings to qualify for prizes. Playing and rating other games will help increase your game’s visibility.

Q: How does the judging work?
A: In addition to community ratings, a jury panel will review games to award their favorite entries.

Q: Is there a place to connect with other participants?
A: Yes! Join our Discord Server to chat, brainstorm, and share ideas with the community.

Q: Can I submit my game to other jams? 
A: Yes, you are allowed to submit your game to other jams! However, please follow these rules:

• Stick to Our Theme: Your game must adhere to the theme provided for this jam.
• No Early Starts: You can’t start working on your game before our jam officially begins, even if another jam allows it. This ensures everyone has the same amount of time to work on their games.

We encourage creativity and participation in multiple jams, but fairness to all participants is key.

Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Feel free to reach out in the Discord, and we’ll be happy to help!

Post here some handy links to free game development resources for your fellow Game Jam participants.

Some resources to help you started:

• Blender, for 3D  models and can also do 2D and/or sculpting: https://www.blender.org
• Freesound.org: https://freesound.org | License: https://freesound.org/help/faq/#wait-this-is-all-free
• 8bit Sound Generator: https://www.bfxr.net/ | License: You have full rights to all sounds made with bfxr, and are free to use them for any purposes, commercial or otherwise.
• Kenny Assets: https://kenney.nl/assets | License: CC0 1.0 Universal
• Color Scheme Generator: http://colormind.io/
• Color Scheme Designer: https://paletton.com/
• Open Game Art: https://opengameart.org | License: https://opengameart.org/content/faq#q-how-to-credit
• Piskel,  a free online editor for animated sprites & pixel art:  https://www.piskelapp.com/
• Mixamo, animations: https://www.mixamo.com/
• Tree It, free tree creation tool: http://www.evolved-software.com/treeit/treeit 
• WOWIE Asset Pack (by Jonas Tyroller): https://jonas-tyroller.itch.io/wowie-pack
• LabChirp, a powerful and versatile sound effect generator: https://labbed.itch.io/labchirp
• Kay Lousberg free Game Assets: https://kaylousberg.com/game-assets
• ChipTone, a free tool for generating sound effect: https://sfbgames.itch.io/chiptone | License: All sounds created using ChipTone are free to use for any purpose, commercial or otherwise, under the CC0 licence. 
• Beepbox, BeepBox is an online tool for sketching and sharing instrumental music: https://www.beepbox.co
• Material maker, for procedural materials: https://rodzilla.itch.io/material-maker
• Audacity for editing audio: https://www.audacityteam.org
• Game idea generator, for if you're completely stuck on an idea: http://ygd.bafta.org/resources/game-idea-generator
• Ship Mixer, create ships that perfectly fit the shmup style:  https://kenney.itch.io/ship-mixer (License see link)
• Creature Mixer, create characters that perfectly fit the platformer style:  https://kenney.itch.io/creature-mixer (License see link)
• Some amazing free CC0 low poly places/characters/props: https://elbolilloduro.itch.io/
• Texture tool:  https://www.codeandweb.com/texturepacker
• Collection of low poly stuff: https://github.com/Miziziziz/Retro3DGraphicsCollection
• Inkscape: a free and open source vector graphics creation tool. https://inkscape.org/
• LibreSprite: LibreSprite is an open source version of AseSprite. https://libresprite.github.io/#!/
• Pixel Art Sprite Mixer. It has 100 Pixel Art Top-Down Animations, attack anims, weapons, swimming, teleporting, energy charging, jumps and ninja runs + more. Also has over 400 Items/Armors.  I made it to help beginners, indies devs & game jammers. https://kingbell.itch.io/pixel-sprite-mixer
• GDD Wizard is a browser-based tool built for jam teams to plan, organize, and finish stronger. Try it out here: https://studio-erza.itch.io/gdd-wizard
• Procedural music generator: https://pernyblom.github.io/abundant-music/, CC0 licence and https://musical-artifacts.com/ has lots of publicly licensed sound fonts for rendering the midi files that abundant music generates.

Use this topic to find team members for the Game Jam or go to our discord channel:  https://discord.gg/PNMKywspdb 

@ Discord there is also a collaboration channel to look for other participants to try to find and form a team.

Feel free to ask questions about the jam here..!

GAME JAM BOSS BATTLE EDITION JURY RESULTS

The Jury Ranking is ready 🙂! Once again it was not easy. So many strong entries this time that picking the top spots came down to the smallest margins. But that is exactly what we want to see, so thank you for that. 🙂

These are the results:

#1 -> Fih VS Players!! Playing as the boss in an online fishing game was a blast, and so were the lines of dialogue. Fitting music and sound effects paired with fun homemade graphics made the package complete. That is why it takes home the $125 Amazon Gift Card. 

#2 -> EVERYTHING! Against your face A unique, original gaming experience that puts your webcam to work, unlike anything else in the jam. Fun to play, full of humor, and backed by a fitting soundtrack. That is why it takes home the $75 Amazon Gift Card. 

#3 -> Good Through Bad & Cosmic Coil 🥉🥉 Tied, ex aequo, by the judges' call. One game brings cool voice acting and a storyline that fits our jam perfectly, topped off with a fun boss fight. The other is slick in its visuals and camera transitions, packed with action as you battle to destroy your own tail. Both earned third place and will split the pot. But because we really wanted to reward them, we raised each prize to $40. That is why they each take home a $40 Amazon Gift Card. 

PEOPLE VOTE SUMMARY

#1 Fih VS Players!! 
#2 MOP THEM ALL! 
#3 EVERYTHING! Against your face

Congratulations again to the winners and to all the participants for their effort 🥳!

🎉 Thank You to All Participants and Feedback Givers! (FEEDBACK AWARD) 🎉

First of all, we want to thank everyone who participated in this game jam and took the time to leave constructive feedback on the submissions. Your feedback is invaluable! Not only to the creators, but also to the spirit of the jam itself. It helps developers grow, improve, and feel encouraged to keep creating!

We are excited to announce the winner of the Feedback Award 🏆, which goes to Acuristic! 🎉

This choice was not based on any scientific calculations or exact scoring. Instead, we selected from a group of participants who, in our opinion, provided thoughtful and constructive feedback. From that group, we randomly selected this name as the award recipient.

In addition, we would like to give honorable mentions to: pacchettino, justsomepikachu, emperorzoldyck, the bit bet and many more. These individuals, and many others, also stood out for their great feedback and contributions to the jam community!

That being said, we want to emphasize that we deeply appreciate everyone who took the time to leave comments and feedback, even if your name is not mentioned here. Your efforts made a big difference to the participants and helped them improve their projects. So whether your name is listed or not: thank you from both the organizers and the participants!

We hope to see you all in the next jam, continuing to share your creativity and support for one another!

PS: We will be contacting the winners by DM and handing out the prizes as soon as possible. Starting tomorrow!

Nice job on your jam entry! 🎮😊

For something made in around 15 to 20 hours, this is a solid little game with a clear idea, a complete game loop and a good small scope.

I liked the 1v1 boss duel concept. The background track also worked well and gave the game a nice atmosphere 🎵, although I think I recognized the music, so just be a little careful with copyright when using existing tracks in future projects. Officially, copyrighted music should only be used if you have permission, a license, or the proper rights to use it.

A few constructive tips for next time: some SFX would help a lot, especially for shooting, hits, shield blocks, damage, and arena danger. Also, because this needs two local players, not everyone in a game jam will have someone nearby to play with. For future jams, you could maybe add a simple single-player mode, AI opponent, or training/test mode so more people can fully try and rate the game. 

As mentioned in another comment too, I did not really notice the knockback while playing. Maybe it was there, but it could be made a bit clearer or stronger. Upgrades could also be really cool to add in a future update or in another version of the game.

The theme is definitely present, although it could perhaps be pushed a little more so the you are the boss battle feeling comes through even stronger. ✅

Overall, I  had  fun to play. Good work. Keep going like this! 🚀💪

For a first game jam not bad at all 💪😊!
Nice job, keep it going like that!

🚨 Newsflash! Minor Deadline Extension 🚨

We've decided to extend the game jam deadline a little bit by an extra 3 hours! This gives you all some additional time for last-minute polish, final touches, and ensures everyone can submit their game without stress or network issues.

Please upload early! We strongly recommend trying to upload your game at least a few hours before the deadline. This will help you avoid any last-minute network problems and give you time to verify that your game is playable for other participants.

⏰ New FINAL Deadline: Monday, May 25th 2026 14:00 (CET) 📅

Important: This extension is absolute and final! 😈 No further extensions will be granted. Submissions after this new deadline will unfortunately not be accepted. After the deadline the game files can not be edited anymore. You can edit your project page (description, screenshots) and you can also edit your submission fields after the deadline. The files will be released for updates after the voting period has ended. (If you delete the game files after the deadline you are in trouble because you can not upload new ones and people can not play your game.)

After the deadline the voting period starts:

Note: In our game jams, voting is restricted to submitters only. This decision was made after some teams in previous jams downvoted all competing entries. Team members are still welcome and encouraged to leave comments of course.

We also have a special Feedback Award + prize: Awarded to the participant who provides the most helpful, constructive, and insightful feedback on others’ games. This category values those who go above and beyond with thoughtful comments, tips, and encouragement to help fellow developers improve their games. This choice is not  based on any scientific calculations or exact scoring. Instead, we select from a group of participants who, in our opinion, provides thoughtful and constructive feedback. From that group, we draw a name as the award recipient.

Make these extra hours count! 💪 

Good luck, and happy jamming! 🎮 🍀 

⚔️ GOEDWARE GAME JAM: BOSS BATTLE EDITION ⚔️

The jam has started and still ±5 dev days left to create a game & battle.

You can still join us for creativity, boss battles, and game dev fun.
250+ devs already signed up!

The theme is: YOU ARE THE BOSS

🔗 Join the Challenge: GoedWare Game Jam Boss Battle Edition @ itch.io 
🌐 Connect with Us on Discord: GoedWare's Hub

Create | Clash | Conquer

⚔️ GOEDWARE GAME JAM: BOSS BATTLE EDITION ⚔️

The jam has started and still ±8 dev days left to create a game & battle.

You can still join us for creativity, boss battles, and game dev fun.
225+ devs already signed up!

The theme is: YOU ARE THE BOSS

🔗 Join the Challenge: GoedWare Game Jam Boss Battle Edition @ itch.io 
🌐 Connect with Us on Discord: GoedWare's Hub

Create | Clash | Conquer

⚔️ GOEDWARE GAME JAM: BOSS BATTLE EDITION ⚔️

The jam starts in Today (May 15th, 2026)!!

There is still time to join us for 10 days of creativity, boss battles, and game dev fun.
200+ devs already signed up!

🔗 Join the Challenge: GoedWare Game Jam Boss Battle Edition @ itch.io 
🌐 Connect with Us on Discord: GoedWare's Hub

Create | Clash | Conquer

Yes, that counts. A tower defense boss that appears every few waves is still a boss, especially if it is clearly stronger, more special, or changes the gameplay compared to regular enemies. So that fits the Boss Battle Edition theme.

And about AI-generated sprites: you can join. Our FAQ says:

“You may use AI tools to assist with coding and asset creation (such as art, music, or sound effects). However, the majority of the code must be your own work, and any AI-generated content should be used thoughtfully and ethically.”

So using AI-generated sprites is allowed, as long as you use them responsibly and make sure they do not copy, resemble, or replicate existing copyrighted content.

In addition to the main prizes sponsored by GoedWare, we also have bonus prizes generously provided by our supporting sponsors. These sponsors help make the jam even more exciting by offering extra rewards for the participants! 

CraftPix.net is an online store and resource specializing in providing high-quality premium and free 2D game assets for game developers, indie studios, and hobbyists.

__________________________________________

Bonus Prizes from Our Supporting Sponsors

In addition to the main prizes sponsored by GoedWare, we also have bonus prizes generously provided by our supporting sponsors. These sponsors help make the jam even more exciting by offering extra rewards for the participants! 

A big thank you to all our supporting sponsors for contributing these additional prizes and helping make this event even better!

Current Supporting Sponsors: 

CraftPix.net is an online store and resource specializing in providing high-quality premium and free 2D game assets for game developers, indie studios, and hobbyists.

CraftPix.net will sponsor the following prizes for the top 3 in the public & jury ranking:

• 1-year Craftpix Membership

⚔️ GOEDWARE GAME JAM: BOSS BATTLE EDITION ⚔️

The jam starts in ±2 weeks (May 15th)!

There is still time to join us for 10 days of creativity, boss battles, and game dev fun.

🔗 Join the Challenge: GoedWare Game Jam Boss Battle Edition @ itch.io
🌐 Connect with Us on Discord: GoedWare's Hub

Create | Clash | Conquer

You can now vote for the theme on our Discord Server: GoedWare's Hub
Check the #game-jam-theme channel.
You can vote till May 10th 2026.

We’re always open to collaboration and would love to hear from you! If you'd like to support our Game Jam: for example by providing a prize, sponsoring a specific category, or contributing in another creative way, we’d be happy to chat and explore the possibilities.

Sponsorships are a great way to promote your brand, project, or company to a passionate and engaged community of developers, artists, and game lovers.

Simply leave a message below or join our Discord server and send us (GoedWare) a DM. We’ll get back to you quickly to discuss how we can make your contribution part of this special event!

Let’s make something awesome together! 🎮✨

Thanks a lot for playing and for the positive feedback!😊

You’re absolutely right about the text speed. It can definitely appear much faster, and that is something I would improve in a next version. This was a game jam prototype, so some things are still a bit rough around the edges, but feedback like this is really useful.

I’m also very happy to hear that you think the concept is cool. The idea of developing this further has definitely been floating around in my head, but no concrete plans (yet)..🚀

Thanks again for checking it out!

⚔️ GOEDWARE GAME JAM - BOSS BATTLE EDITION ⚔️

Ready to create an unforgettable boss fight?

Join us for the Boss Battle Edition of the GoedWare Game Jam, starting May 15th 2026!
Whether you're a solo developer or jamming with friends in a team, this is your chance to build something intense, creative, and memorable, then share it with a supportive community of fellow game makers.

Tagline: Create | Clash | Conquer

Over the course of 10 days, you'll challenge yourself to:

• Embrace the Theme - A surprise theme will be announced at the start to spark your creativity.
• Build an Epic Boss Battle - Every entry must feature at least one memorable boss encounter at its core.
• Collaborate & Connect - Join our Discord to meet fellow devs, get feedback, or find a team.
• Showcase Your Work - Submit your game and gain recognition through public voting and jury rankings.
• Level Up - Use this time to experiment, grow your skills, and create a boss fight players will remember.

📅 Save the Dates:

• Jam Dates: May 15th - May 25th, 2026
• Theme Reveal: May 15th, 11:00 AM (CET)
• Prizes: Yes, including public and jury prizes

🔗 Join the Challenge: GoedWare Game Jam Boss Battle Edition @ itch.io (250+ already joined)
🌐 Connect with Us on Discord: GoedWare's Hub

Engage with like-minded creators and share your progress. Let’s come together to create incredible boss battles, explore bold ideas, and celebrate the joy of game development.

⚔️Dream big, design boldly, and make your mark in the GoedWare Game Jam - Boss Battle Edition! ✨

Boss Battle Edition

Q: Does my game need to include a boss battle?
A: Yes. Every game submitted to this special edition must include at least one clear boss battle.

Q: What counts as a boss battle?
A: A boss battle should feel like a major encounter that stands out from regular gameplay. It should be more important, memorable, or unique than normal enemies or standard challenges. This can be through mechanics, presentation, difficulty, tension, phases, scale, or the overall role it plays in the game.

Q: Does the boss battle need to be combat-focused?
A: No. A boss battle does not have to be a traditional combat fight. It can also be a puzzle boss, a strategic encounter, a survival sequence, a chase, or another type of major gameplay challenge, as long as it clearly feels like a boss encounter.

Q: Does my boss have to be the final boss?
A: No. Your boss battle can happen at any point in the game. It does not need to be the final encounter, as long as it is clearly present in your submission.

Q: Can I make a game with only one boss fight?
A: Yes! A short game built around one strong and memorable boss encounter is completely fine for this jam.

Q: Can I include more than one boss battle?
A: Yes. You are welcome to include multiple boss battles if you have the time, but one clear and memorable boss fight is enough.

Q: Can the boss be something unusual?
A: Absolutely. Your boss can be a monster, machine, rival, puzzle, strange system, overwhelming force, or something completely original. Creativity is encouraged, as long as it clearly feels like a boss encounter.

Q: Will boss design affect judging?
A: Yes. Since this is a Boss Battle Edition, the boss encounter itself is a central part of the experience and will strongly influence how players judge categories such as Boss Battle, Visuals, Audio, and Theme.

Q: Does my game need to explain how the boss works?
A: Not explicitly, but the boss fight should be readable enough that players can understand what is happening and how to respond. Clear design usually leads to a better experience.

Q: Can my game be very small in scope?
A: Yes. This jam is not about making the biggest game. A short, polished game with one creative boss encounter is often stronger than a larger but unfinished project.

General

Q: What is the theme for this jam?
A: The theme will be announced at the frontpage and on Discord when the jam begins.

Q: Who can vote?
A: In our game jams, voting is restricted to submitters only. This decision was made after some teams in previous jams downvoted all competing entries. Team members are still welcome and encouraged to leave comments of course.

Q: Who can participate?
A: Anyone! All experience levels are welcome, and you can work solo or in a team (recommended max 4 members).

Q: Can I use any game engine?
A: Yes! You can use any engine or framework, such as Unity, Godot, Unreal, GameMaker, etc. Just ensure your game fits the jam’s rules and theme.

Q: Can I submit multiple games?
A: Yes, if you have the time and energy, you’re welcome to submit more than one game!

Q: Are AI tools allowed?
A: You may use AI tools to assist with coding and asset creation (such as art, music, or sound effects). However, the majority of the code must be your own work, and any AI-generated content should be used thoughtfully and ethically. If you use AI-generated assets, make sure they respect copyright rules and do not resemble or replicate existing copyrighted content.

Q: What about music, fonts, and assets?
A: You can use royalty-free music and audio assets you own, with proper credits and licenses. Make sure all assets adhere to copyright and licensing rules. You may use assets you already own, such as those from the Unity Asset Store or Unreal Marketplace. Ensure that all assets are properly licensed and that you have permission to use them. Avoid infringing on copyrights or trademarks. Assets bought in the stores usually (99.9%) have the correct license to use them in our jam.

Q: Can I edit my game files after submitting?
A: No, submissions are locked after the deadline, so make sure everything is ready before you submit!

Q: Does my game have to be a certain format?
A: No, but remember that not all users have Windows/Mac/Linux devices. Browser-based games are a great idea to maximize accessibility. At least make sure a Windows version is available.

Q: Can I submit a game that I already started on?
A: No, it is required that all participants create their games entirely within the jam period.

Q: What are the rating categories?
A: Games will be rated on Art/Visuals, Boss Battle, Audio/Sound Design and Theme, with a special Feedback jury category for participants who provide thoughtful feedback on others’ games

Q: How many ratings do I need to be eligible for prizes?
A: Each game needs at least 10 ratings to qualify for prizes. Playing and rating other games will help increase your game’s visibility.

Q: How does the judging work?
A: In addition to community ratings, a jury panel will review games to award their favorite entries.

Q: Is there a place to connect with other participants?
A: Yes! Join our Discord Server to chat, brainstorm, and share ideas with the community.

Q: Can I submit my game to other jams?  A: Yes, you are allowed to submit your game to other jams! However, please follow these rules:

• Stick to Our Theme: Your game must adhere to the theme provided for this jam.
• No Early Starts: You can’t start working on your game before our jam officially begins, even if another jam allows it. This ensures everyone has the same amount of time to work on their games.

We encourage creativity and participation in multiple jams, but fairness to all participants is key.

Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Feel free to reach out in the Discord, and we’ll be happy to help!

Post here some handy links to free game development resources for your fellow Game Jam participants.

Some resources to help you started:

• Blender, for 3D  models and can also do 2D and/or sculpting: https://www.blender.org
• Freesound.org: https://freesound.org | License: https://freesound.org/help/faq/#wait-this-is-all-free
• 8bit Sound Generator: https://www.bfxr.net/ | License: You have full rights to all sounds made with bfxr, and are free to use them for any purposes, commercial or otherwise.
• Kenny Assets: https://kenney.nl/assets | License: CC0 1.0 Universal
• Color Scheme Generator: http://colormind.io/
• Color Scheme Designer: https://paletton.com/
• Open Game Art: https://opengameart.org | License: https://opengameart.org/content/faq#q-how-to-credit
• Piskel,  a free online editor for animated sprites & pixel art:  https://www.piskelapp.com/
• Mixamo, animations: https://www.mixamo.com/
• Tree It, free tree creation tool: http://www.evolved-software.com/treeit/treeit 
• WOWIE Asset Pack (by Jonas Tyroller): https://jonas-tyroller.itch.io/wowie-pack
• LabChirp, a powerful and versatile sound effect generator: https://labbed.itch.io/labchirp
• Kay Lousberg free Game Assets: https://kaylousberg.com/game-assets
• ChipTone, a free tool for generating sound effect: https://sfbgames.itch.io/chiptone | License: All sounds created using ChipTone are free to use for any purpose, commercial or otherwise, under the CC0 licence. 
• Beepbox, BeepBox is an online tool for sketching and sharing instrumental music: https://www.beepbox.co
• Material maker, for procedural materials: https://rodzilla.itch.io/material-maker
• Audacity for editing audio: https://www.audacityteam.org
• Game idea generator, for if you're completely stuck on an idea: http://ygd.bafta.org/resources/game-idea-generator
• Ship Mixer, create ships that perfectly fit the shmup style:  https://kenney.itch.io/ship-mixer (License see link)
• Creature Mixer, create characters that perfectly fit the platformer style:  https://kenney.itch.io/creature-mixer (License see link)
• Some amazing free CC0 low poly places/characters/props: https://elbolilloduro.itch.io/
• Texture tool:  https://www.codeandweb.com/texturepacker
• Collection of low poly stuff: https://github.com/Miziziziz/Retro3DGraphicsCollection
• Inkscape: a free and open source vector graphics creation tool. https://inkscape.org/
• LibreSprite: LibreSprite is an open source version of AseSprite. https://libresprite.github.io/#!/
• Pixel Art Sprite Mixer. It has 100 Pixel Art Top-Down Animations, attack anims, weapons, swimming, teleporting, energy charging, jumps and ninja runs + more. Also has over 400 Items/Armors.  I made it to help beginners, indies devs & game jammers. https://kingbell.itch.io/pixel-sprite-mixer
• GDD Wizard is a browser-based tool built for jam teams to plan, organize, and finish stronger. Try it out here: https://studio-erza.itch.io/gdd-wizard
• Procedural music generator: https://pernyblom.github.io/abundant-music/, CC0 licence and https://musical-artifacts.com/ has lots of publicly licensed sound fonts for rendering the midi files that abundant music generates.

Use this topic to find team members for the Game Jam or go to our discord channel:  https://discord.gg/PNMKywspdb 

@ Discord there is also a collaboration channel to look for other participants to try to find and form a team.

Feel free to ask questions about the jam here..!

Congratulations!
Please check your email. We have sent you a message about your prize for winning first place in Gameplay. You can also contact us via DM on Discord if you have it.

Please make sure we can all read the devlog link :-)!