itch.io

Ruh-roh!

Go for it! Would be interesting to leave a note about usage (and maybe even the prompts you used) on your entry page.

Ideally you'd share as much as you're able to. If you're using 3rd party assets that you're not permitted to distribute, don't include them. Please consider adding some placeholders in the repo, and a note in the README.

I think you're able to export the game source for sharing with a lot of tools like those. If you can export the projects and share them in a GitHub repository, that would be ideal.

Hi there - I tried to explain a bit more here and give examples. TL;DR - it should be 4 or less hex colors (but you can get creative with ways to give the illusion of more - see example snippet below re: dithering from the thread I just referenced).

I think switching between scenes is totally fine - and in line with the spirit of the jam :)

On black as a color: It could be considered a gray area (color pun intended), but for the jam I'd say count it as a color. It's in line with say the old school CGA color palettes from games of yesteryear:

On shades as different colors: I'd say yes - dark blue and light blue are different colors going by their hex values. But you might consider dithering to make lighter / darker shades. E.g. https://www.retronator.com/post/176876250028/the-many-shades-of-cga-a-dithering-... shows a 4-color CGA palette that looks like more than 4 colors...

Yup - that's fine.

Yes.

Nope - the playable game should be playable or downloadable on itch.io. Just the source code has to be in a GitHub repository.

After the jam ends (and voting's over) you're free to make as many updates as you like. Some folks continue development for month / years after.

That wouldn't really be in the spirit of the jam I'm afraid. (Connectedly, that was the theme of Game Off III - forking an existing game and expanding upon it).

Go for it! Just make sure the other jam's cool with it.

Any and all welcome! Web-based games seem to get more engagement. A lot of folks share web-based and mac + win + linux build. Some folks have shared Commodore 64 and NES games in the past.

Great questions! 

On black as a color: It could be considered a gray area (color pun intended), but for the jam I'd say count it as a color. It's in line with say the old school CGA color palettes from games of yesteryear:

On shades as different colors: I'd say yes - dark blue and light blue are different colors going by their hex values. But you might consider dithering to make lighter / darker shades. E.g. https://www.retronator.com/post/176876250028/the-many-shades-of-cga-a-dithering-... shows a 4-color CGA palette that looks like more than 4 colors...

Absolutely. A few folks actually stream development of their games on Twitch and YouTube. A lots of folks share progress on social with hashtags like #GitHubGameOff and #ScreenshotSaturday.

The source and assets you're able to distribute have to be in a public GitHub repository, but it doesn't need to be "open source". 

You're under no obligation to choose an open source license. And if you don't use any license, the default copyright laws apply, meaning that you retain all rights to your source code and no one may reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from your work. See https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/managing-your-repositorys-settings-and-f...,

Nobody will be judging your code if that helps. Hope this makes it a little easier to consider participating :)

It will likely limit the number of downloads and ratings you receiver, but I'd love to see some Roblox games this year. I recommend you leave detailed instructions on how to install / play on the itch.io page and GitHub README.

Thanks for the ping. Updated!

The only requirement is to share your code in a public GitHub repository. You’re welcome to use any license you like—whether it’s open source or a custom license. Just choose what works best for you or your project.

Hi there! This year, I'm going to implement a 48-hour review period after the deadline on Jan 8th to go through the top entries before announcing the winners on Jan 10th. 

Thank you for the feedback and the suggestion. This year, I'm implementing a 48-hour review period after the deadline on Jan 8th to go through the top entries before announcing the winners on Jan 10th. 

Thanks! Updated (should be https://git-scm.com/doc)

The community-run Discord can be found at https://discord.gg/4hAr7sa.

Hi there! Here are answers to some frequently asked questions. Please let me know if anything's unclear or you have more questions below, and I'll keep this updated.

Participation and Tools

Q: Can I use Unity, Unreal Engine, or other engines?
A: Yes! You can use any game engine you like.

Q: Can we use blueprints in Unreal Engine?
A: Yes.

Q: Can I use pre-made assets or code?
A: Absolutely! Just add proper attribution in your GitHub repository’s README if needed. Keep in mind that the goal is creativity, so avoid submitting old projects with only minor changes.

Q: If I use paid assets, should I include those in the repository?
A: No. Please only share assets you're able to sure. Please consider adding placeholder assets in the repository and a note in the README about what assets where used.

Q: Do I need a team to participate?
A: Nope! You can join solo or with a team of any size.

Q: Can I use no-code tools like Construct 3 or GameMaker?
A: Yes! Just ensure your project can be exported and shared via a GitHub repository.

Q: Can I submit multiple entries or join multiple teams?
A: Go for it!

Q: Is there a maximum team size?
A: Theoretically, no. Too big and you may crash the itch.io and GitHub servers though! J/K

Submission Process

Q: What do I need to submit?
A: You’ll need to:

• Create a GitHub repository for your game’s source code.
• Submit your game on the itch.io Game Off page by December 1, 13:37 PT.

Q: Can I edit my game after submission?
A: You can fix critical bugs, but leave a note explaining the changes. Avoid altering the game during the voting period.

Q: What kinds of licenses are required/accepted for the public GitHub repo?
You're welcome to use whatever kind of license you wish! See this documentation for tips on choosing / applying a license.

Q: Can I sell my game after the jam?
A: Yes, you can sell your game after the jam.

Q: Can I create the GitHub repository before the jam starts?
A: Yes! You can set up your repo and team structure early—just no coding until the jam begins. 

Voting and Judging

Q: What are the judging categories?
A: Games will be rated on:

• Overall
• Gameplay
• Graphics
• Audio
• Innovation
• Theme Interpretation

Nobody's judging your jam code - don't worry! 🙂

Q: When does voting start and end?
A: Voting starts on December 1 at 13:37 PT and ends on January 5, 2025, at 13:37 PT.

Q: Can I vote on any game?
A: Yes! Participants vote on each other’s games, with the option to explore and rate multiple entries.

Rules and Restrictions

Q: Are there content restrictions for my game?
A: While there are no strict content rules, if it's something I wouldn't show my kids or grandparents... then it may be less likely that it'll appear on our blog 😎 Please also see itch.io's note on adult content.

Support and Community

Q: Is there a Discord or social community?
A: Yes, join the https://discord.gg/4hAr7sa for support, teammate searches, and sharing progress.

Q: What’s the official hashtag?
A: Use #GitHubGameOff to share progress and connect with other participants on social media.

Thanks for the suggestion - updated! 👍🏻

Amazing. Thank you leafo!

Hi there,

A user submitted Skal to Game Off and it received a few ratings and reviews. Unfortunately, they accidentally removed the submission from the jam. On adding it back it again, the ratings were recovered but all of the reviews were lost. Is it possible to recover those reviews? If not, please LMK and I can create an issue

Cheers,
  Lee 

Hi there,

I don't have any email in my inbox containing your username or the URL https://meoowe.itch.io/clicky-cat. Can you drop your email address here or try emailing me again?

Nobody's judging the jam code so you're welcome to update the repo. We can always use Git to go back in time if we need to :)

Hi there - yes, I think that's in the spirit in the Game Off. I would recommend leaving a note on the itch.io page mentioning that the Windows build was uploaded after the deadline.

It happens every year. A few folks miss the deadline by a few minutes–or even hours–due to Internet issues, oversleeping, not hearing an alarm clock, alien abduction, etc.

If this sounds like you, please shoot me an email at lee@github.com with (1) "Game Off" somewhere in the subject line, and (2) a link to your game on itch.io; I'll generate and share a link where you can submit.

Note: I'll be MIA from about 2-3:30pm PT so my replies will be a little delayed.

Thanks and good luck!
  Lee

Hi there,

Yes - all contributors will be able to vote on games. Thank you!

The use of AI is allowed ✓

Hi - yes, teams are allowed. There's a Discord server here. I'll update the front page to mention this.

Cheers,
  Lee

Or even better... Just Jumping into JavaScript?

Ha ha ha - updated! 😆 (And thank you)

That is all.

Just a note that I've replied to all emails sent before this timestamp. If you didn't get an email from me, I didn't receive your email.

Cheers,
  Lee

I think that's fine ✓ 

I can confirm that your game was submitted correctly 👨🏻‍⚕️

Cheers,
  Lee

💩 happens.  If you run into any last-minute snags submitting your game just email me (lee@github.com) the URL of your game and I'll generate a link for you to submit it.

Cheers,
  Lee