Opportunity brief
Overview
Design, Build, and Deploy Your Game in a 2-Week Surprise Theme Game Jam!
About the Event:
Step up to the challenge in Game Dev, Synergy '26's premier 2-week online game development competition!
Participants will design, build, and deploy an original game centered around a surprise theme revealed at kickoff. Whether you are a solo developer or an ambitious squad, this jam tests your game design skills, programming prowess, artistic creativity, and ability to execute under a deadline.
Engine Restrictions & Scope:
- Approved Game Engines: All games must be built exclusively using Unity or Godot.
- Surprise Theme: The game must incorporate the official theme revealed at the start of the jam. Submissions failing to align with the theme will face score penalties.
Submission Requirements:
Submissions must be provided via a public Google Drive link (with view/download access enabled) containing:
- Playable Build: Complete executable file (Windows, Linux, or Web build).
- Gameplay Demo Video: A 2–3 minute video showcasing core mechanics, controls, and gameplay loop.
- Source Code / Project Files: Full project directory for technical verification and code quality assessment.
Rules & Regulations:
- Team Size: Compete individually or in teams of up to 4 members.
- Timeline: The competition runs online for exactly two weeks starting from the official theme announcement.
- Engine Compliance: Only Unity or Godot projects will be accepted.
- Originality: All submitted games must be built during the official 2-week competition window.
- Decisions: Evaluations conducted by the judging panel are final.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Theme Adherence: How cleverly and centrally the surprise theme is integrated into mechanics or narrative.
- Creativity & Originality: Novelty of concepts, visual style, and core game loop.
- Gameplay Mechanics: Responsiveness, control feel, fun factor, and level design.
- Art & Audio: Aesthetic cohesion, visual polish, sound design, and music.
- Code Quality: Project structure, execution stability, and software hygiene.