Welcome to the Games Made in Utah Winter Game Jam 2024! This is a great opportunity for game developers across Utah to showcase their skills, learn new techniques, collaborate, and most importantly, have fun! Whether you're a seasoned developer or a first-time participant, this event is all about creativity and community.

Theme

The theme for Winter Game Jam 2024 is:

 "The Ice King’s Challenge".

Get creative! You can interpret the theme however you like, as long as it is present somewhere in your final game.

The game jam runs from DEC 6th to Dec 30th, with participants having 24 Days to develop a fully functional game based on a specific theme revealed at the start of the jam. Teams can be formed ahead of time, or you can choose to join a team once the jam starts!

Event Format

• Start Date: DEC 6th
• End Date: Dec 30th
• Duration: 8 days to create your game!
• Platform: [PC/Mobile/Web, etc.] BUT MAKE SURE ITS PLAYABLE IN HTML on the browser also
• Submission Format: Submit your game to itch.io MUST BE HTML playable.
• Game Engine: Feel free to use any game engine or technology you're comfortable with (Unreal Engine, Unity, Godot, etc.).

Rules

1. Team Size: You can work solo or form a team of up to 3 participants. Teams can be formed before the jam or you can team up during the event.
2. Game Type: Your game should be playable in 60 minutes. It must fit the theme.
3. Assets: You can use pre-made assets (audio, graphics, etc.) or create your own. If you use third-party assets, make sure to follow their licensing requirements and give proper attribution.
4. Original Work: All game content (including code, art, sound, etc.) should be original or properly attributed. No use of copyrighted materials unless they are open-source or fall under fair use.
5. Game Submission: You will submit your final game via SUBMISSION BUTTON on itch.io. The submission should include the game file and any instructions on how to run it AND BE HTML NO DOWNLOADS .
6. Judging Criteria: Games will be judged on:
   • Creativity and Interpretation of the Theme
   • Gameplay and Mechanics
   • Visuals and Art Style
   • Sound and Music
   • Overall Fun Factor
   • Is it playable on HTML browser 
7. Collaboration: We encourage collaboration and team building! You can communicate and collaborate using [Slack/Discord/other tools]. Feel free to ask for help, give feedback, or share progress.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the top games, including:

• HONORABLE MENTION ON WEBSITE: gamesmadeinutah.org
  

Code of Conduct

• Be respectful and inclusive. This is a collaborative and supportive environment.
• Maintain a positive attitude, especially in online discussions.
• Don’t plagiarize! All game assets must be either your own or properly licensed.

Important Dates

• Kickoff Event: DEC 6TH 11pm
• Jam Begins: DEC 6TH 11pm
• Submission Deadline: DEC 30TH 11:59pm
• Judging Period: Dec 30Th to Jan 4th
• Awards Ceremony: check www.gamesmadeinutah.org on Jan 4th 2024 FOR THE WINNER!

How to Participate

1. Register: Sign up for the event on itch.io.
2. Join a Team: If you don’t have a team its ok to go solo.
3. Start Creating: When the jam begins, start working on your game! Stay tuned to the official channels for updates.
4. Submit Your Game: Make sure to submit your game before the deadline to be eligible for judging.

We can't wait to see the incredible games you create at the Games Made in Utah Winter Game Jam 2024!