¶ Participation Guidelines
¶ What You Can Make
When it comes to what kind of game you can make, we’re ultimately looking for games that have a broad range of general adult appeal. If you are to go diving into weirder, more specific kinks then do please mention this in the submission thread and tag appropriately. The games themselves should be simple for people to download, play, and comment on. With that in mind...
¶ What can I make my game in?
You must produce a digital computer game, that runs on Windows - or web browsers supported by Windows. You can support additional platforms (such as Mac or mobile) if you like, but a Windows / browser build is necessary.
While it is not fully necessary, it is recommended to host the game on a site like itch.io for ease of access.
You can make your game in whatever engine, programming language, or software you like. Some recommend engines such as Unity, Unreal Engine, Game Maker, Godot, Construct, and PICO-8.
You may also use engines designed for specific genres such as RPG Maker, Twine, Ren'Py etc
- You can not require the user to purchase additional software in order to play your game (so no Super Mario Maker 2 levels or Dreams (PS4) creations).
- You can not require the user print things out (so no board or card games).
- You can not require the user to have hardware beyond a keyboard and mouse (so no VR games, webcam games, and no controller-only games).
Where file compression is required, you can compress your game as a ZIP, RAR, or 7Zip file (ZIP is preferred).
¶ Can I make..?
We try not to put limitations on what people can make, as long as it fits the eligibility discussed above.
Just note that many players and our judges will be alone so local multiplayer experiences will be a tough sell. Also specific kinks outside of general feederism might make your entry a tougher sell.
While we are lenient on inflammatory topics as long as they are contributive towards the game experience, your game must not contain content involving minors. This could see your game being disqualified from the contest.
For any fan games, homages, or parodies of games that are derivative of other works by members within this community, do please seek permission beforehand and credit them accordingly.
Games that are written purposefully for emulation are permitted, provided that the game entry is also bundled with the necessary emulator along with any setup instructions. If people cannot play your game, it risks being disqualified!
¶ What You Can Use
This game jam is about making a game during a two-week period. This is a race to make a game, and everyone starts running when the jam begins! As such, we expect you to make the vast majority of the game during this time.
However, as the jam is primarily about flexing your design chops, we don’t expect you to make everything in the time slot (unless you really want to!) So...
¶ Can I use pre-existing code?
Yes! You can use pre-existing code, libraries, and functions. And make use of generic code for things like menus or inputs.
But we ask that you don’t write code specifically for this gain jam, ahead of time. You shouldn't start designing or developing your jam game before the theme is announced.
You can also create things like a blank Unity project, a Github page, or your itch.io profile in advance to save time.
¶ Can I use pre-existing art and / or audio?
Yes! You can use whatever art and audio you have the legal right to use. We'd recommend making your own stuff (especially your own art) but it's up to you.
That means you can use pre-existing sprites, textures, fonts, models, shaders, animations, sound effects, and music - including public domain assets, assets you have purchased, assets you have made yourself, or assets that are (legally-acceptable) derivative works of existing media.
You should credit all external art and audio in your game description.
(Links are provided at the bottom of this guide for those needing public domain content!)
¶ Can I use generative AI to create code, art, or music for me?
While using generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney and others while making your game is unsporting, we realistically cannot stop or prevent people from using these tools. While we won't say that the code, art, music, written text, etc must be made by a human, do note that with AI being the hot-button issue that it is, do use such tools with caution to prevent backlash from the community when it comes to judging your entry.
The moderators cannot advise you individually on what code or assets you can use, including the use of AI, so if in doubt, be cautious and make your own stuff! Please use your best judgement.
Weight Gaming ultimately takes a neutral stance when it comes to the usage of AI. Use it to your discetion!
¶ Help! I missed the deadline!
The jam ends at 12:00 noon PST (UTC -7). We may add a grace period for late submissions, last minute bug fixes, and any site problems that arise. But after that, submissions will be closed - with no opportunity to upload or change your game.
Once the Jam ends, the moderators or staff cannot help you get your game uploaded or changed during this time.
If updates are made to bugfix the game, you must make it clear that this version is a "Non-Jam" entry, ideally raised in a separate project thread on the forum, away from the Gain Jam board. Remember that it isn't the end of the world if your game is incomplete. What matters more is the potential of the idea behind it and the concepts demonstrated therein!
If we experience any issues with the site that prevents people from posting their submissions, we will most likely extend the deadline. More details will be posted on Discord as the need arises.
¶ Help! I need art and audio! (HANDY LINKS INSIDE)
Here are some places where you can find art, fonts, music, and sound effects for your games.
Many of the assets are eligible for use in the jam but check the license before using and provide credit in your game’s description!
Art
- OpenGameArt (2D + 3D)
- Kenney (2D + 3D)
- Game-Icons (2D)
- Textures.com (Textures)
- Poliigon (Textures)
- Poly.pizza (3D)
- Mixamo (Animations)
Fonts
- Fontsource (Fonts)
- Font Squirrel (Fonts)
- Google Fonts (Fonts)
Audio
- Incompetech - Royalty Free Music (Music)
- Free Music Archive (Music)
- Freesound (SFX)
- OpenGameArt (Music + SFX)
- Kenney (Music + SFX)
- Soniss (SFX)
Tools
- BitFontMaker2 (Fonts)
- Photopea (Art)
- sfxr (SFX)
- Chiptone (SFX)
- Bosca Ceoil (Music)
- BeepBox (Music)
- Lospec (Palettes)
- Easy Releasy (itch.io page designer)
- Tiny Tools (More!)