Game Jam Rules

Game Jams are creative events designed to help creators build richer, higher quality, and longer lasting worlds. Each event features a structured theme, clear requirements, and rewards for the best submissions. The program supports both new and experienced creators while maintaining fairness, originality, and consistent quality standards.

Below are the official rules for participating in any Highrise Game Jam.

Entry Submissions

• Worlds may be new or updated from an existing project.
• Updated worlds must remove the previous Game Jam tag and apply the current Game Jam tag.
• Updated worlds must include new work aligned with the current theme.
• Submissions must include the official Game Jam tag listed in the announcement. Tags are entered without the # symbol.
• Selling, purchasing, or submitting someone else’s world is strictly prohibited.
• Worlds must follow the two part theme:
  • Visual theme
  • Gameplay mechanic
• Template based, low effort, or incomplete worlds will not be accepted.

Judging and Rewards

• All submissions are locked during the judging period. Editing the world during that week is not allowed.
• Worlds are judged based on:
  • Quality of the world
  • Alignment with theme and mechanic
  • Functionality and performance
  • Depth, design, and overall value
• Main prize structure:
  • First Place: 150,000 Earned Gold
  • Second Place: 75,000 Earned Gold
  • Third Place: 50,000 Earned Gold
• Gold is awarded to the world owner. The owner may divide it among collaborators.
• A participation reward is given to creators who submit functional, high effort, on theme worlds.
• Low effort, off theme, or incomplete entries will not qualify for any rewards.

Event Cadence and Timeline

Game Jams now follow a repeating three month cycle.

One month active Game Jam Two months of downtime

The one month event is divided into:

• Submission period: 3 weeks
• Judging period: 1 week Winners are announced at the end of the judging week. Dates are listed in each Game Jam announcement and on the Game Jam calendar.

Collaboration

• Teams of up to four collaborators may participate.
• Collaboration must involve meaningful contributions to the world.
• The world owner receives the gold and may distribute it to teammates.
• To receive a participation reward, a world must show effort, originality, and adherence to the theme.

Content Requirements

• All content must follow the Highrise Community Guidelines.
• Creators may use assets, scripts, textures, and audio they have the legal rights to use.
• New or updated submissions must include content created specifically for the Game Jam theme.
• Reusing old content without meaningful updates to meet the theme is not allowed.

Updating Existing Worlds

• Existing worlds may be used as long as they are updated for the current Game Jam.

• The updated submission must:

  • Follow the visual theme
  • Include the required gameplay mechanic
  • Remove the old Game Jam tag
  • Apply the new Game Jam tag

• Updated worlds are judged the same as new ones, based on quality and theme accuracy.

Submission Status and Appeals

• Submission status can be tracked through the official entry tracker linked in the announcement.

• Status types include:

  • Under review
  • Approved
  • Rejected with notes

• If you are approved and marked as rewarded but do not receive the reward within 48 hours, contact support on Discord.

• Rejected entries may be updated and resubmitted before judging begins.

• Appeals can be made through Discord under #server-support during the submission period.

Partner Program Eligibility

• Winners and runner ups may receive an invitation to join the Creator Partner Program.
• Acceptance provides access to a private creator channel and direct support from the team.

General Rules

• You must be 13 years or older to participate.
• Cheating, world purchasing, or misleading practices result in disqualification.
• Worlds containing inappropriate or guideline violating content will be removed from the event.
• Purchased submissions lead to permanent exclusion from Game Jams.

Benefits of Participating

1. Improve scripting, world building, UI, and design skills.
2. Explore creativity through structured themes.
3. Collaborate with others and build connections.
4. Receive feedback and visibility.
5. Gain recognition through high placement.
6. Earn gold and exclusive cosmetics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a world I started before the Game Jam? Yes. You may update an existing world, but it must be modified to match the current theme and mechanic and must use the new Game Jam tag.

Can I collaborate with others? Yes. Up to four collaborators are allowed.

How are winners selected? Based on quality, theme accuracy, mechanic use, depth, and design.

Can I update my world after the submission deadline? No. Submissions are locked during judging.

How are rewards distributed? Gold is sent to the world owner. Other rewards are assigned to eligible collaborators.

Are giveaways allowed? Yes. Giveaways do not affect judging.

How often are Game Jams held? Every three months according to the new cycle.

Where can I find event details? On Discord, the Forum, and the official announcement.

What happens if I submit a purchased world? You will be disqualified and may be banned from future events.

Can I use pre existing code or assets? Yes, if you have legal rights. The world must still be updated or created for the current theme.

How do I track my entry? Use the entry tracker linked in each Game Jam announcement.