FAQ & OFFICIAL RULES

FAQ

  • The game jam is open to anyone 18+. We welcome participants of all kinds and strongly encourage underrepresented creators to participate.* No previous game development experience is required.

    *Although gamers span the globe and represent an incredibly broad range of identities, recent research on who is currently working in the gaming industry suggests that people who identify as cisgender men make up 61% of the gaming workforce, and 75% of the gaming workforce identifies as white. We know that there are future developers of all identities seeking to enrich the world of video games, and we are excited to share this opportunity!

  • Register by clicking “Join Jam” on our itch.io page, as well as registering with our Typeform!

  • Out of the finalist pool, there will be one grand prize winner selected to receive a $10,000 USD cash prize, which will be paid in two installments, $5,000 at the awards’ ceremony and $5,000 during fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025). If the winner is invited to participate in a Cinereach workshop, the second payment will occur after the completion by the winner of the workshop process.

    All finalists will be invited to attend the Hollywood Climate Summit Closing Night party

    If you're a finalist, whether you choose to attend or not, we would love to showcase your game, with your permission, during the Hollywood Climate Summit 2024, including during the Closing Night party.

  • Yes. Please follow the instructions on the submissions page.

  • Team up with friends/colleagues, or meet new folks in our Discord server! We have a channel called #looking-for-team, where you can connect with other folks looking to make a team. You can use this template:

    Name:

    Timezone:

    Skills:

    Topics you’re interested in:

    Working style:

    Availability (how many hours a week can you commit?):

  • Eligibility Criteria:

    • To participate in the game jam, your project must be made during the jam. (Monday April 29, 2024 - Friday May 17, 2024). Any game’s development that began prior to the starting date is not permitted.

    • The game must have either a Windows or Mac build. Analogue games like Tabletop RPGs can not be accepted at this time.

    • Game development tools like plug-ins/asset packs may be used, so long as credit is properly given to the creators within the game or the itch.io page.

    • Any and all game engines are fair game.

    • There is no minimum or maximum team size; participants are free to work alone or with others.

Official Rules

Please fill out an entry form by May 17, 2024. If you're making a game with a team, make sure every team member submits a form separately. You will not be eligible for the finalist pool if you don't submit an agreement.

Theme of Jam

Climate Futures

Jam Rules

The submission window opens Monday, April 29, 2024. Submissions are due no later than 11:59 pm ET on Friday, May 17, 2024. Please refrain from making games centered around violence, blood, abuse, or topics that can be negatively triggering. In participating in this jam, you commit to creating a functional and polished demo that can serve as a pitch for competing within the prize pool. 

Legal

Anything you make during or for Just Play is your property. Cinereach and Anima claim no rights or ownership over your game prototype submission. Cinereach will provide a first look to certain finalists to be considered for its workshop programs and potential further development financing (see “what do finalists receive” below). 

If you are chosen as a finalist, you agree that your game prototype, with credit to you, will be displayed by Cinereach during the Hollywood Climate Summit currently scheduled for June 24, 2024 - June 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, including but not limited at the Closing Night Party,  and grant Cinereach a limited royalty-free license to do so during the Hollywood Climate Summit 2024 and in press releases honoring the finalists, the Just Play website, the Cinereach website and other press and promotional materials in connection with Just Play game jams.

Who can participate?

Anyone 18 and older can participate in the jam. 

What platform can I use to make my game/experience?

We are accepting submissions across multiple platforms (PC/console, mobile, XR). 

To qualify for the finalist pool, you must port your game to Android or Windows. You may also choose to port for Mac. We will not accept analogue games, games created in proprietary platforms or games that require an emulator to run.

Eligibility Criteria

  • For PC/console/mobile prototypes, your Submission must be uploaded to Itch.io by the submission deadline. By submitting, you agree to be bound by Itch.io’s Terms of Service.

  • You may only submit your own work. By submitting your prototype project, you are representing and warranting that you (and your team, if applicable) have not plagiarized, forged or copied anyone else’s work and that no generative AI was used by you or your team in the creation of your project. Any violation of this representation will be grounds for automatic disqualification, upon the discovery of such violation, and the rescinding of any award or prize.  

  • The assets contained in your Submission must belong to you or be used under an appropriate license, which you agree to provide to the Organizers upon request.

  • Your Submission must include the name and title of each person on your team.

  • You may not impersonate another person or submit anything on another person’s behalf without their written permission, which you agree to provide to the Organizers upon request.

  • You may only submit one Submission to the Jam.

What assets can I use? 

Any assets that you have made, purchased, or downloaded with proper licensing are permitted. Assets developed or derived from generative AI technologies are prohibited.

Who will judge the games? 

The judging panel will be comprised of professional game developers, narrative change experts, and other creatives working across various media. Judges will play games and select finalists between May 18, 2024 and May 28, 2024. Finalists will be publicly announced and notified via email on or around May 29, 2024. 

What will the games be judged on?

Judges will be asked to evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:

  1. Narrative storytelling

  2. Creativity and artfulness,

  3. Entertainment value, and

  4. Incorporation of the climate themes and integration of the Cinereach workshop toolkit principles.

What do finalists receive?

Your prototypes will be displayed at the Closing Night Party of the Hollywood Climate Summit currently scheduled to take place the evening of June 28, 2024. In addition, Cinereach may potentially offer certain finalists the opportunity to participate in virtual workshops to further develop their prototype some time during fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025). Workshop participants would be provided an honorarium for their time. Based on alignment with Cinereach’s mission and goals and on the results of those workshops, at Cinereach’s sole election, finalists may potentially be eligible  to be considered for further development financing from Cinereach, subject to further terms to be negotiated between the parties in good faith.

What does the grand prize winner receive?

Out of the finalist pool, there will be one grand prize winner selected to receive a $10,000 USD cash prize, which will be paid in two installments: $5,000 at the awards’ ceremony and $5,000 during fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025). If the winner is invited to participate in a Cinereach workshop, the second payment will occur after the completion by the winner of the workshop process. 

Is there a Discord I can join? 

Yes! Please join here. A channel for the game jam will be open for you to use on April 22, 2024. You'll be able to talk to other jammers to brainstorm, form teams, and receive feedback  or help.

Use #[JustPlayGameJam] on socials to share your progress!