Theme: Collateral Damage / Every Action Has an Equal and Opposite Reaction

In this jam, we're moving beyond just landing the perfect shot or the flashiest combo. The core of your game must be about the consequences of the action. The destruction, the knock-on effects, and the unintended outcomes—these are what will make your game stand out.

Interpret the theme broadly:

*   Literal: A bullet that penetrates multiple enemies, a grenade that changes the battlefield, a punch that sends an opponent flying into a destructible environment.

*   Mechanical: A special move that damages the user, a ricochet that is more powerful than a direct hit, a "rage" meter that powers you up but leaves you vulnerable.

*   Narrative: A story where the violence has a tangible cost, a moral choice system where fighting isn't always the best answer, a character who grows weaker with each kill.

*   Figurative: A metaphor of how things will progress by an active action (eg, shooting) or by a passive action (eg, watching and listening).

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Official Rules & Guidelines

1.  Jam Duration: The jam will run for 1 month, 10 days, from Saturday, 20 November, 12:00 AM GMT to Wednesday, 31 December, 12:00 AM GMT.

2.  Eligibility: Anyone may participate, from solo developers to teams. All experience levels are welcome!

3.  Project Creation:

    *   Your game must start after the jam begins. You cannot use pre-existing code or project files for your core gameplay.

    *   You MAY use code snippets, open-source libraries, and assets (eg, art, sound, music) that you have the legal right to use, provided they were created before the jam. Please credit all external resources.

    *   You MAY use placeholder assets from the public domain or Creative Commons sources.

4.  Theme Adherence: Your game must incorporate the theme/s "Collateral Damage" and/or "Every Action Has an Equal and Opposite Reaction" in a meaningful way. It should be a core mechanic, not just a superficial element.

5.  Game Content:

    *   Games must be appropriate for a general audience. While fighting/shooting is the genre, excessive gore, hate speech, or explicit content is prohibited. If they are censored, they are allowed.

    *   Respect all participants. Harassment of any kind will result in immediate disqualification.

6.  Submission Requirements:

    *   Submit a playable build for at least one of the following: Windows, Mac, Linux, or a WebGL/HTML (preferred) build.

    *   Include a brief description of your game and how it interprets the theme.

    *   Provide any necessary controls/instructions.

    *   Upload your submission before the deadline.

7.  Judging & Ratings: After the submission period, there will be a 1-month

rating period. Games will be rated by participants and judges on the following criteria:

    *   Theme: How well and creatively the "Collateral Damage" and/or "Every Action Has an Equal and Opposite Reaction" theme is used.

    *   Gameplay: How fun, engaging, and polished the core mechanics are.

    *   Originality: How unique and creative the concept is.

    *   Presentation: The quality and cohesion of audio, visuals, and overall style.

8.  Code of Conduct: Be excellent to each other. Offer constructive feedback and support your fellow jammers. The goal is to learn, create, and have fun!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What kind of games are allowed?

A: Any genre that fits the fighting/shooting theme! This includes (but isn't limited to): 2D/3D fighters, top-down shooters, FPS, tactical shooters, beat 'em ups, bullet hell, or even a puzzle game where the "fighting" is abstract. As long as "Collateral Damage" and/or "Every Action Has an Equal and Opposite Reaction" is a core part of the design.

Q: Can I work in a team?

A: Absolutely! There is no maximum team size.

Q: What if I can't finish my game?

A: That's okay! The "jam" nature of unfinished but creative projects is part of the charm. Submit what you have! A flawed, ambitious game is often more impressive than a simple, perfect one. It still has to have functionality even if the graphics/sound/etc do not work.

Q: What engines/frameworks can I use?

A: Any! Unity, Unreal, Godot, GameMaker, Pico-8, Ren'Py, custom engines—it's all fair game.

Q: I'm an artist/musician, not a programmer. Can I still join?

A: Yes! We highly encourage multidisciplinary teams. Use the jam's forum to find teammates.

Q: How strict is the "no pre-made code" rule?

A: We operate on the honour system. You can use your own standard boilerplate code (e.g., a player movement script you always use), but you cannot bring in a half-finished fighting game and just add a "collateral damage" mechanic. The core concept and implementation should be jam-time work.

Q: My game doesn't have direct combat. Is that okay?

A: Possibly! If your game is about the "collateral damage" of a larger conflict (e.g., a strategy game where you manage civilians in a warzone, or a narrative game about the aftermath of a fight), it could fit. If you're unsure, ask on the community forum!

Q: Where do I submit my game and find more info?

A: All submissions, communication, and updates will be hosted on the official jam page: https://itch.freezing.top/jam/fighting-shooter-jam. 

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Good luck, have fun, and remember: It's not just about the hit; it's about what happens after.