Apocalypse Jam is about the end of the world in all its forms.
Entries can be about the collapse of society and nature, sudden disasters, or post-cataclysmic survival scenarios. Your apocalypse can be literal or figurative, a historical doomsday, a pessimistic future, or something completely off-the-wall.
Running about 6 months after Earth Day, Apocalypse Jam is meant to be a fun and cathartic break from worrying about the world's problems. The vibe is "c’est la vie", an end of the world party. This jam itself isn't focused on awareness and solutions but also isn't actively rooting for death and destruction. Instead, it's using the concept of "apocalypse" as a jumping off point for creativity and as a form of mental relief.
Themes will be announced later in the year.
This is Apocalypse Jam's third year!
Apocalypse Jam 2023's results: https://itch.io/jam/apocalypse-jam-2023/results
Apocalypse Jam 2022's results: https://itch.io/jam/apocalypse-jam-2022/results
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Schedule
- Kickoff: Saturday, October 5th at 9am PT / 12 Noon ET
- Submission Deadline / Voting Begins: Saturday, October 19 at 9pm PT / 12 Midnight ET
- Voting Ends: Sunday, October 27 at 9pm PT / 12 Midnight ET
- Results and Awards Announced: Sunday, November 3rd at 9am PT / 12 Noon ET
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Themes
The main theme every year is Apocalypse: the collapse of society and nature, sudden disasters, post-cataclysmic survival scenarios, literal or figurative apocalypse, a historical doomsday, a pessimistic future, or some completely off-the-wall interpretation.
Additional themes for 2024 will be announced later this year.
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Participation
Jammers are encouraged to incorporate the main theme: Apocalypse, and at least one of the subthemes. Inclusion can be literal, symbolic, or just using a theme as a jumping off point. However, if you have a great idea that only reflects one of the themes that's completely fine.
Join the Apocalypse Jam Discord to chat with other jammers, show off your progress, and share other apocalyptic games. (will be added at a later date)
Any kinds of games are accepted so long as you can submit via itch.io.
Jammers may use pre-existing assets to make their games.
To be eligible for the awards, games must be assembled during the duration of the jam, however brainstorming can begin beforehand. Cross-jam submissions are allowed if their timeframe is within the run of this jam.
Due to our theme, games with heavy content are expected (though not required). Please make sure to include a content warning when submitting.
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Submitting
Submissions are due Saturday, October 19 at 9pm PT / 12 Midnight ET.
You are strongly encouraged to double-check your materials and submit early. Once the submission deadline has been reached there will be a two hour grace period for technical issues with the submission process but that is it. Any later submissions can be shared, but are not eligible for the award categories.
If you have a game you've previously made that really fits the theme you are invited to share it, but it will not be eligible for awards.
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Voting and Awards
Submitters and Contributors may vote from the end of the jam until Sunday, October 27 at 9pm PT / 12 Midnight ET.
How you interpret the voting categories are up to you. You will vote on game elements (audio, visual, mechanics, etc), use of the themes, and Best Overall submission.
Submitters and Contributors will vote on the best overall entry, which will receive the Submitter's Choice award.
Judges will make the final decisions on the winners for Best Overall, best use of Apocalypse, and best use of each of the subthemes.
If anyone is not participating but would like to help us judge the games please reach out to apocalypsegamejam@gmail.com
Awards will be posted and announced Sunday, November 3rd at 9am PT / 12 Noon ET
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Prizes
- The Best Overall and the Submitter's Choice teams will each receive a 100% off discount code to submit to IndieCade 2025!
- All award winners will receive jam-branded patches, a 20% off discount code to submit to IndieCade 2025, and be featured in an IndieCade post about the winners!
Please reach out if you want to contribute something else as a prize!
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Contributors
IndieCade Festival is happening November 8th thought 15th with a two week Steam sale, the Festival Awards, post-mortems, show-and-tells, and the Night Games, and in-person in Downtown LA. Learn more and stay tuned here: https://www.indiecade.com/
IndieCade is involved in a number of game jams including Climate Jam, the tongue-in-cheek inspiration for our jam here. If you enjoy jamming and want something a little more hopeful, check it out and join next year!
IndieCade is providing a free submission for IndieCade 2025 for each of the two top winning games as well as a 20% off discount for the other winning game teams! They will also do a social post on the winning games.
Special Thanks!
- Ronnell D. Porter for the jam logo
- Dekiru for building our Discord server
- Climate Jam for inspiring this event
- IndieCade and Stephanie Barish for their support and encouragement