Team-Up Guide
1. How can I find teammates?
- Join our Discord server and share your info in the team-up channel—this helps others get to know you quickly. If you spot someone you’d like to work with, don’t hesitate to reach out!
- Outside of official channels, many participants also find teammates by posting on game dev platforms—feel free to try whichever works best for you!
2. Is there a team size limit?
- Yes. Each team can have up to 5 members. We recommend having at least one programmer and one artist.
- If you plan to participate in multiple teams, please make sure all teams are aware and have agreed in advance.
3. How do I join thatgamejam?
- No pre-registration is required.
- Simply create your game based on the theme, then upload it through the itch.io thatgamejam page following the instructions—once submitted, you’re officially in!
- Each game should be submitted only once, using a single itch.io account (your personal one or a new team account).
- Please make sure to list all team members correctly. After submissions close, team member info cannot be edited.
Creation & Development Rules
1. Can I use my own theme instead of the official one?
- Each thatgamejam has its own unique theme. Games unrelated to the theme will have a hard time standing out during judging.
2. Are AI tools allowed?
- Yes, but you must clearly disclose it during submission and describe how the AI was used.Failure to disclose AI usage will result in disqualification.
- Please note: thatgamecompany will not provide any legal protection or support in the event of copyright disputes arising from AI-generated content.
3. Can I use music, images, or writing from other works?
- You may use materials you own the rights to.
- If you do not own the rights, please use content under public domain or open-source licenses.
- Games created during this jam remain owned by the team or individual creators. However, by participating, you grant thatgamecompany permission to use your work for jam-related showcases (exhibitions, play sessions, website display, etc.).
4. Can I use external assets or plugins to help with development?
- Yes. You may use public-domain or open-source assets as long as you credit them with: “This game includes authorized open-source materials.”
- You may also use any publicly available tools, libraries, or plugins (free or paid).
- However, the core content of the game must be created during the jam. Prefabricated full levels, systems, or gameplay that simply require importing are not allowed.
5. Can I outsource development work?
- No. All work must be completed by the team members themselves. Outsourcing is not permitted.
Submission Guide
1. When can I start to submit?
You may submit anytime after the jam officially begins (December 20). Once your game is ready, feel free to upload it right away.
2. What if I miss the deadline?
Once the deadline passes, the submission portal automatically closes. If you still wish to share your work, you can upload it to itch.io and send us the link. But it will not be entered into judging.
3. Can I submit multiple games?
Yes! You may submit more than one game and may also join multiple teams. ⚠️ Make sure all involved teams have agreed if you are joining more than one team.
4. Why can’t I modify the download link after submitting?
To ensure fairness, no new builds may be uploaded once submissions close and the review period begins. After the jam, you’re welcome to continue updating your game.
5. Can I keep improving my game after submission?
- Before the deadline, you may upload as many versions as you like—the final version submitted before the cutoff will be counted.
- If you miss the deadline, the system will lock uploads automatically.
- Updating, replacing, or deleting the game during the voting period will invalidate the entry.
6. Can I resubmit a game from a previous thatgamejam?
No. Each thatgamejam has its own independent theme and we encourage everyone to create something new for each jam.
7. Can I use download links from other cloud services instead of itch.io?
Unfortunately no. All games must be submitted through the itch.io jam page to be considered.
Other FAQs
1. Can I submit my jam game to other competitions afterward?
Absolutely! We strongly encourage creators to share their work widely and explore more opportunities.