What Is This Jam?
This jam is about making video games with trains! Participants will get 4 days to create and submit a game that MUST involve a train (it doesn't need to look like one though 😉). The jam starts Friday 1/10/25 and ends Monday 1/14/25 at 5:00pm EST. Join our Discord to form teams, ask questions, and get updates about the jam!
From the train levels in action games, to realistic train conducting simulators, the usage of trains in videogames has a high potential for inventive game design.
Inspiration
Action
In action games, having a train as the setting doesn't necessarily add that much in terms of gameplay mechanics (unless you're able to jump off it), but it does a lot in guiding level design and boosting the feeling of action via moving backgrounds. The GIF below is a 3D example of this:
Game Name: Ion Fury
Here's a 2D example of an action train level:
Game Name: Iconoclasts
Simulator
This may not be everyone's favorite genre for train games, but people can appreciate the immersion and accuracy. This typically involves carrying passengers and cargo from place to place while navigating the rail system.
Game Name: Train Simulator Classic 2024
Strategy
Most train strategy games involve placing rails in the right places. This is usually a top-down format where the trains are represented in a more cartoony way.
Game Name: Station To Station
Game Name: Unrailed 2
Rating
The Jam will be rated with the following criteria:
- Connects to Theme
- Visuals / Audio
- Gameplay
- Polish
Voting will last for 4 days after the deadline on Saturday 1/18/25.
Rules
- Do not start developing before the jam officially starts!
- You can use 3rd party assets like models, art, sounds, scripts, and music.
- No sexually explicit content, however graphic violence (e.g. blood) is allowed.
- Teams of any size are allowed.
Resources
Free 3D Train Models:
Free (Simple) 3D Modeling Software:
Free 2D Art Software: