THEME

Some paths are chosen. Others reveal themselves only when you’re brave enough to take the first step. Fortune can feel like destiny, chance, or simply the ripple of a decision made with conviction. Boldness might be a shout, or it might be a quiet refusal to turn back.

This year, build experiences shaped by daring choices, unexpected outcomes, and the strange dance between chance and courage. Let the theme guide you, challenge you, or even mislead you — the direction is yours to define.

The theme of GDS Prague Game Jam 2025 is "FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD".

WHAT?

GDS Prague Game Jam  2025 is a traditional 48h hackathon in making games organised by   Gamedev at Charles University in cooperation with the    Game Developers Session.

This year's main partner and sponsor is Warhorse Studios, who will have members present at the jam, so you can stop by and chat with them! 

Anybody can sign up and compete for honor and fun. Game jams are here to bring people of various skills keen on game development together; an opportunity to meet new friends, acquire new skills, try out new ideas, and be creative. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned game developer, this jam   is for you.   Top three teams will get free access to the Game Developer's Session, where the final winner will be announced!

Our game jams are open to anyone willing to create a video game.   We are glad that the atmosphere at our site is friendly and all participants share their experience and help each other to develop a game.  Furthermore, game development lecturers and industry professionals will be available on-site to help you solve your issues during development.

At the end of the jam, all participants will be able to vote for their favourite game from the jam receiving a PEOPLE’S AWARD of GDS Prague Game Jam 2025!

The jam's capacity is limited to 150 participants! We will do our best, but only the first 100 joined on itch.io will be guaranteed a place at the real-life site, make sure all your team members are here!

🕹️ Check Out Last Year’s Games!

Curious about what amazing projects came out of last year’s jam? Take a look at the GDS Prague Game Jam 2024 entries and get inspired for this year’s event!

👉 Explore last year’s games on itch.io

WHERE?

The game jam will be hosted by Gamedev at Charles University    at the    Malá Strana building  on Malostranské náměstí 25, Prague.  We will provide each participant with a comfortable seat for work, internet access, basic kitchen appliances, and some refreshments to enjoy the jam and really focus on the game and collaboration with your friends and colleagues. 

Facilities provided: 

1) Toasters, kettles, pots, dishes and all the elementary kitchen equipment

2) 20 comfortable floating beds (if you take a sleeping bag, it is easy to get some sleep in one of the empty rooms)

3) Showers

4) Working space

WHEN?

All the time-related events are expressed in CET (=Prague time)

Friday 28.11.2025

14:00 - Site is open - We will be glad for any help provided to get things ready

17:30 - Opening speech by organizers

18:00 - JAM THEME announcement

18:00 - JAM STARTS! You have 48 hours to create your game

Saturday 29.11.2025

A full day devoted to game jamming!

12:00 - Screenshot Noon - Send a screenshot of your game to a dedicated Discord channel of this jam

14:00-16:00 - Take a moment and think about the remaining work on your game. Lecturers will regularly cruise the site to help you

Sunday 30.11.2025

12:00 - Screenshot Noon - Send a screenshot of your game to a dedicated Discord channel of this jam

16:00 - Time is running up!

18:00 - Jam ends!

18:00 - Submissions through itch.io are closed (HARD deadline!!!)

18:00 - Voting period starts!

Monday 1.12.2025

23:59 - Deadline for submitting your 1-2min gameplay video to GDS Jam 2025 (add it to your itch.io submission page) and filling out    THIS FORM to be eligible to compete for the prizes.

Wednesday 3.12.2025

21:00  -   Announcement of the top three games, whose teams will get    free access    to Game Developers Conference 2025

Monday 1.12.2025 - Thursday 4.12.2025 

Voting time! All jam submitters + contributors may vote for the The People’s Award of GDS Prague Game Jam 2025

4.12.2025 23:59 - Voting ENDs

Friday 5.12.2025

Game Developers Session - Announcing the best game of GDS Prague Game Jam 2025!

PRIZES?

Nothing can replace the feeling of creating and experimenting with something new. However, we will still like to give some form of feedback and appreciation for your creations.

All participants    will receive a  discount code for the   GDS Prague Conference 2025

Beyond that, there are several prizes available for participants in two categories:

1.   GDS Prague Game Jam 2025 Best Game Award    (as voted by the panel of judges) - top three teams in this category will receive the certificate signed by our jury and Tickets to GDS Prague Conference 2025.  The top team will be announced at the GDS Conference. The main prize will be announced at the opening speech of the jam.

2.   The People’s Award of GDS Prague Game Jam 2025    (as voted by participants) - will be announced and receive a signed certificate from organisers and more. What will be the prize will be announced at the opening speech of the jam.

VOTING?

All participants who will submit a game or who will be contributors to some submission may vote on the games. Note that you will NOT be able to update your submissions during the voting period to ensure fairness! Although, you can still modify your webpage however you want.

There will be 7 categories for ranking the games:

• Overall impression (PRIMARY CATEGORY)
• Theme (is the game related to the theme?)
• Innovation (is gameplay innovative?)
• Fun (is the game fun to play?)
• Controls (game controls are snappy, easy to play with?)
• Visuals (nice looking game?)
• Music & Sounds (nice audio in the game?)

SIGN UP?

Register itch.io account  or   login    if you have one and click the "Join jam" button above (scroll up).

COMMUNITY?

Facebook Event  to share with / invite your friends!

GDS Discord Server - there is a dedicated channel for jammers, just pick the Game Jammer 2025 role! Everybody should join as there will be important announcements!

Instragram - Wanna see some throwback photos from past jams? 📸
Don’t forget to share yours during the event and tag us – we love seeing your creations! 🔥✨

RULES?

Max team size - 4 jammers; join the jam; submit your game in time to itch.io!

The build must run either on Windows 10+ based computer and/or Android 6.0+ mobile device; if you're targeting WebGL, make sure to make it compatible with at least one of the mentioned devices.

By joining the jame you agree that you have read and will respect our   Code of Conduct,   Terms & Conditions  and    Rules.

NOTE THAT AS PART OF THE SUBMISSION, YOU NEED TO FILL OUT    THIS FORM  BEFORE MONDAY 1.12.2025 (23:59 CET) !!!!  

See you soon!