Theme
Small Worlds, Big Ideas
The Cause Jam is a game jam with purpose—to make a lasting impact on the lives of children. By participating, you'll create games featured in charity bundles, sold to raise funds for supporting children in hospitals.
Games For Love is a nonprofit dedicated to easing suffering, saving lives, and creating sustainable futures for children. Since 2018, we've already positively impacted over 1.25 million children's lives across 3 countries, and we plan to reach 10 million children over the next 5 years. Learn more about us at [gamesforlove.org].
Rules and Guidelines
- Games must be developed with an "E for Everyone" rating in mind, ensuring they are suitable for all ages.
- Avoid any NSFW (Not Safe for Work), offensive, excessively violent, or gory content.
- You may use existing assets, code, and packages as long as you have the necessary rights to use them.
Submission Guidelines
Team Registration
Ensure that all team members have completed the registration form. This is required before moving on to the next steps.
Upload Playable to Itch.io
Upload a playable HTML5 version of your game to the designated Itch.io page. Make sure the game meets the required format and is fully functional.
Share Playable via Google Drive (Important!)
Download the same playable HTML5 version and upload it to a public Google Drive folder. Ensure the sharing settings are set to "Anyone with the link can view" for easy access.
This step is important because the link from this Google Drive folder will be required in Step 4.
Complete the Submission Form
Finish your submission by filling out the submission form on this page. Follow all instructions in the form, and include the Google Drive link from Step 3 to complete your submission.
What Happens After Submission?
After submission, join us for the Cause Jam Celebration Party on October 14th, 2024, from 5 PM to 7 PM PT. Let's celebrate together!
Voting and Rating Criteria
As you participate in Cause Jam, your game will be judged based on four key criteria. Each category plays a significant role in the overall experience of your game, and here's what each of them means in more detail:
Fun
Was it enjoyable to play? Fun refers to how enjoyable and engaging the gameplay is. It's about the player’s experience and how much they feel involved and entertained while playing.
Aesthetic
Were the visuals, audio, etc cohesive and appealing? Aesthetic refers to the visual design, artistic style, and overall beauty of your game. It’s not just about graphics but how everything visually fits together to enhance the player experience.
Thematic
Did it match the theme? Thematic refers to how well your game aligns with the theme of the jam. This is about how creatively and effectively you incorporated the jam's given theme into the core of your game.
Sound/Music
How amazing is your sound? Sound/Music focuses on the audio elements of your game—this includes sound effects, background music, and how audio is used to enhance the overall experience.
Cause Jam FAQ
General Information about Cause Jam
What is Cause Jam?
Cause Jam is a game development event hosted by Games for Love, where participants come together to create games that support our mission of helping kids. All games must follow the jam's theme and are rated based on Fun, Aesthetic, Thematic alignment, and Sound/Music. Participants will also receive valuable mentorship from industry pros!
How do I join Cause Jam?
To join, click on the "Join" button at the top right of this page. Then, click on the registration link in the "How to Join" section of this page. After that, click the Discord link in the same section to access our Discord server, where you'll be assigned a role and gain access to the Cause Jam channels.
What is the theme for the current Cause Jam?
The theme is announced at the start of the jam. Be sure to check the announcement channels on Discord or visit our official jam page on Itch.io for updates.
Can I work solo or do I need a team?
You can participate either solo or in a team! If you don't have a team, check the "Team Formation" channel on our Discord server to find like-minded participants. Collaboration is encouraged but not required.
Do I need prior game development experience to join Cause Jam?
No prior experience is necessary! Cause Jam is open to developers of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. If you're new, this is a great opportunity to learn, collaborate, and grow with a supportive community.
Game Development and Submission
What tools or engines can I use to develop my game?
We recommend using Unity for game development, specifically Unity 2022 LTS for optimal WebGL performance. You are free to use any tools you are comfortable with, but please ensure that your game is playable in a web browser (HTML5 format).
What are the submission requirements?
Each team must submit a playable HTML5 version of their game to the designated
Itch.io page. Additionally, participants are required to upload another
version of their game to a public Google Drive. Finally, complete the
submission process by filling out the submission form.
Each submission should include:
- A list of team members
- Screenshots
How are games rated?
Each category will have a score based on community voting.
Games are rated based on four main categories:
- Fun: Enjoyability and player engagement.
- Aesthetic: Visual design and overall look.
- Thematic: How well the game aligns with the given theme.
- Sound/Music: Quality and integration of audio elements.
What if I don’t finish my game on time?
Don’t worry! Even if your game isn’t 100% finished, you can still submit what you have. Game jams are about learning, improving, and sharing your progress. Your submission will still be counted as long as it meets the basic requirements.
How long do I have to develop the game?
The jam runs for a set duration. Typically, you’ll have 4 weeks to develop and submit your game. Be sure to keep track of deadlines through our Discord and Itch.io page.
Support and Additional Help
I’m stuck or need help, who do I reach out to?
If you have any questions or issues, you can head to the "Help Desk" channel on Discord, and one of our support staff will assist you. You can also reach out to your team mentor if you're looking for guidance or advice.
Where do I track my volunteer hours?
After each play session or game development meeting, make sure to track your volunteer hours through the time-tracking form provided to you via email. If you have any issues, contact support on our Discord.
How can I promote my game after the jam?
We encourage you to share your game on social media, on your Itch.io page, and in our Discord community. Feel free to post screenshots, gameplay clips, and development updates!
Important Dates
To see the full timeline, visit here!
Helping Kids For Life ®
Organized by Games For Love