Game Dev Linz x Cloudflight Jam

We team up with the Cloudflight crew and jam together in person at their offices in Linz. Get to know new faces, join professional software developers in a weekend of game dev, and see what a mixed crew of game devs and software engineers can build together.

Not in Linz? Join remote. Jam from wherever you are, team up online, and submit your game like everyone else.

On-site spots are limited to around 40 people. If jam registrations exceed that, you'll need to message us for a spot in the office - but we don't expect that to happen. So just come by whenever you want.

On-site or remote

On-site: We jam at the Cloudflight offices (Huemerstraße 23, 4020 Linz). Grab a desk next to professional software developers, form your team face to face, and enjoy the office energy. 

The on-site office doors are open:
Friday from 16:00 till 23:00
Saturday and Sunday, 09:00 till 23:00.
No overnighting stay in the office is possible.

Bring your own laptop - we have several spots in the office available:

• 18 desks come with a full setup (screen + power)
• 15 seats are in meeting rooms (own room, no extra screen)
• 12 spots at the stage run on cable-drum power.

Remote: Can't make it in person? No problem. Jam from home, organize your team online, and submit through itch.io like everyone else.

What is a Game Jam?

A Game Jam is a short event where you and others work together to create a small game. Most Jams have some kind of restriction on theme or style to get you thinking about games in a new way. Game Jams are a great way to test ideas, build on your skills, and meet other awesome creative people.

Nobody has to make a grandiose, big, enjoyable, playable, fully functional game. If you got 0 sounds, have to Alt+F4 to quit and paint graphics - it's fine! As long as you can play something - 1 minute of gameplay is totally enough. Just create anything and don't get overwhelmed by expectations that this needs to be perfect.

Theme

The theme and restriction are announced at the start of the jam.

Setup

• Form up into teams (we do not recommend going solo, but you may if you really want to!)
• Come up with a team name and get ready to jam!

Rules

• This is not an exhaustive list. Don't be a dumbass.
• You must follow the Itch.io TOS.
• You must be 18+ to participate.
  
• No teams of more than 5 people.
• If you do need to leave, let your team know in advance.
• Do not attempt to sabotage other teams.
• Be cool to each other.
• If you must use AI-generated content, please mark it as such, but we highly discourage the use of AI - especially for art generation.
• No Pornographic Content or Nudity.
• No Illicit Drug References.
• No Malware! You will be held responsible for uploaded malware.
• You can only use assets you have the commercial licence for. Some asset packs only allow non-commercial use. Make sure you know the licensing limits for anything you use. The intention is for you to build your own stuff and learn from it. Don't overthink this and try to find a way around it, just make things. The game jam is a flex of personal skill, not a personal wallet.

Submission

• Focus on playability over anything else.
• If it doesn't run, it can't be played.
• Upload either a build that runs in the browser or a .zip with your build of the game to download. Projects that run directly in the web-browser are typically played more and preferred since you don't need to download anything.
• You must have an itch page for your game with a short description and how to play. (Bonus points if you post pictures and create a really nice looking page)

Voting Criteria

Be careful when downloading games, as there is a risk of malicious software being submitted! Ideally, run the game in a VM, so your system doesn't get compromised!

Everyone will vote on four major categories for each entry in the Jam. As games are subjective media, these categories are guidelines for you to follow when exploring your game. Use these criteria as loose guidelines to make the best game possible. Don't overthink it.

Playability

• Were systems in your game clunky or polished?
• Focus on playability and make sure your build works.
• This is the most important category and counts for a lot.

Theme Implementation

• Did your game follow the theme?
• Was the theme entirely ignored?
• Did you implement the theme in a clever and interesting way?

Fun

• Did you have an ingenious mechanic in your game?
• Maybe you told a story with a very interesting or unique twist.
• Did your game have a lot of crunch or juice?

Artistic Style

• Everyone has a style that they like or enjoy.
• Style is not bound only to Triple A asset from major studios.
• Pixel Art, Midi Songs, Foley work and more all ooze with artistic style.