"Great games are not born from ideas alone, but from the passion and perseverance to turn those ideas into reality. Don’t wait for inspiration to strike—start creating. Learn the tools, master the craft, and embrace the challenges. No one starts as a master; even the simplest ideas can become extraordinary when nurtured with dedication and hard work. The journey of creation is where the magic happens."

~Shigeru Miyamotgo

Theme

BOARD GAMES

Prizes 1st Prize - $50 

2nd Prize - $25

3rd Prize - $5

Quick Links

Discord

Details

• CAHSI Game Studio's Game Jam is a game making marathon with the objective of making a short game in a limited time!
• Who can enter? Anyone who is eager to learn and create their first video game.
• What is the theme? The theme will be announced when the jam officially begins!
• What can I make my game in? Anything, provided you can upload a file that runs on Windows or browsers, and doesn't require any additional hardware or software. 
• What assets can I use? The game should be developed during the jam, but you may use pre-existing code and can use whatever art and audio assets you have the legal right to use.
• Who will judge the games? Games will be judged by staff. All of the results will be revealed when this process is over. 
• How large can  teams be? We want all participants to hone their skills as indie game developers, hence we're limiting the teams to only ONE person. 
• Is there a Discord I can join? Yes!  click here

Rules

Allowed :

• Only ONE person per team.
• The reuse of code, previously made assets,  sounds, ect, as long as the core game is developed during the jam period.
  Don't reinvent the wheel, folks :p
• Use of any Game Engine ( Godot, Unity,Unreal, GameMaker, Pygame, etc..)

Useful (optional):

• Web or Windows Build: While not mandatory, providing a web build (or at least a Windows build) will make it easier for others to play and rate your game. The more accessible your game, the more feedback you’ll get!
  
• Follow the theme of the jam, it's what we're here for :p
• Functionality: Make sure your game works when submitted. A broken game is no fun for anyone.
  

Important (mandatory)

• Original Work: Your game must be created during the jam period. Submitting pre-made games is not allowed. Let’s keep it fresh and fair for everyone!
  
• Timely Submission: No late submissions will be accepted. Keep an eye on the itch.io countdown—it’s the most accurate timer.
  
• Content Guidelines: Avoid discriminatory, offensive, or NSFW content. Let’s keep the jam inclusive and respectful for all participants.
  
• One Submission per Participant: Only one game submission is allowed per person. Make it count!
  

Voting

1. Technical - Does the game work? Does the game show off the engine? Does it do anything particularly impressive? Is it feature rich?
2. Artistic - Is it pretty? Are the sound and visuals effective and fitting? Is the style coherent to the gameplay? Are the text boxes legible?
3. Design - Does the game teach you how to play it? Do the mechanics make sense?
4. Gameplay - Is it fun? Does the difficulty scale? Are there accessibility options? Have I played the same game before or is it innovative?
5. Theme - Does the game fit the theme? Is it surface level or is the theme at the core of the game?

Golden Rules of Rapid Game Development

1. Keep. It. Stupid. Simple.

Focus on a core concept. The simpler your idea, the easier it is to implement, test, and polish. Complexity can come later—start small and build up.

2. Play to your strengths. 

Since you’re working solo, focus on what you’re good at. If you’re an artist, lean into visuals. If you’re a coder, focus on mechanics. Don’t stress about mastering everything at once.

3.  Scope for the Timeframe

Be realistic about what you can achieve in the jam’s timeframe. If the jam is 48 hours, don’t plan a massive RPG—aim for a small, polished experience. It’s better to have a complete mini-game than an unfinished epic.

4. Iterate, Don’t Overthink

Don’t spend too much time planning or brainstorming. Start building as soon as you have a basic idea. You can always tweak and improve as you go. Action beats overthinking every time.

5. Choose your foundations wisely

Use tools and engines you’re familiar with, unless you don't have a lot of experience with any of them which leaves you with new engines to explore throughout the competition!

6.Fail Fast, Learn Faster

If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to scrap it and try something else. The faster you identify what doesn’t work, the more time you’ll have to focus on what does.

7. Early Play Testing

Test your game as early as possible. If you can, get feedback from friends or other participants. Fresh eyes can spot issues you might miss.

8. Version Control. Use it. 

Use version control (e.g., Git) to save your progress. It’s a lifesaver when things go wrong, especially close to the deadline.

9. Eat and Sleep 

Nobody likes a sleep/food deprived (or even sick!) zombie introducing more bugs than features. A shower might also help but is optional depending on circumstances.

10. Celebrate Small Wins

Game development can be overwhelming, especially when working solo. Celebrate small milestones, like getting a character to move or finishing a level. It’ll keep you motivated and remind you of your progress.

11. Don't Neglect Audio

Sound effects and music can elevate your game significantly, even if they’re simple. Use free or pre-made assets if you’re not a sound designer. A little audio goes a long way in making your game feel complete.

12. Be Kind to Yourself

Game development is hard, and working solo can be isolating. If things don’t go as planned, don’t beat yourself up. Every mistake is a learning opportunity, and every jam makes you a better developer.

13. Focus on the Core Loop

Focus on making the core gameplay loop fun and engaging first. Everything else—graphics, sound, extra features—is secondary. If the core loop isn’t fun, the rest won’t matter.

14. Have Fun!

Remember, this is a Game Jam, not a life-or-death situation. Enjoy the process, meet new people, and take pride in what you create. The goal is to learn, grow, and have a good time.

All rights to the games created during the jam belong to the respective developers. CAHSI Game Studios does not claim ownership of any submitted games. You’re free to do whatever you want with your creation after the jam!