Game Jam Rules

Game jams are meant to be fun, push your limits, enhance your experience, and provide opportunities to collaborate and compete with others. Below are the rules that must be followed when participating in a game jam:

Entry Submissions:

• When submitting an entry, the world must be created after the game jam announcement. Any world created before the announcement will be rejected.
• Entries must be submitted with the unique game jam tag. This can be checked in Studio upon upload, and the tag can be found in the announcement.
• When adding tags, do not include the "#" symbol, as it gets filtered out.
• You may not submit a world that does not belong to you, was made by someone else, or was purchased.
• Purchasing or selling worlds related to the game jam is prohibited and will result in penalties.
• When participating, all entries must adhere to the game jam theme.
• Unmodified worlds or basic templates with minimal effort will be rejected. Simply adding a few assets to a world does not qualify as a valid entry.

Entries and Rewards:

• For each game jam, you can track your entry status through the sheet provided in the announcement:
  • Under Review: Your world is still being reviewed.
  • Approved: Your entry has been approved, and rewards will be sent to you shortly.
  • Rejected: Your entry has been rejected, and the reason will be mentioned in the notes. (You can appeal on Discord.)
• If your world was approved and the "rewarded" status is set to true but you have not received your rewards, please head to Discord and open a support ticket under #server-support.
• Rewards are sent within 48 hours after approval. Please be patient as we verify users and distribute rewards.
• If your entry was rejected for submitting a purchased world, you are ineligible to submit a new entry.

Deadlines:

• After the submission deadline, you may not submit a new entry.
• If your world was rejected, you can still make changes and resubmit it until the winner announcement day.
• You may update or modify your world before the announcement day.
• Goals will still count even after the submission deadline.
• If your world was rejected and you did not appeal before the deadline, your entry will no longer be approved.
• If you have an existing support ticket and the game jam ends, you still have a chance to appeal.

Collaboration:

• Collaborations are reviewed after the submission deadline.
• You may collaborate with only one player, and the collaboration must be submitted through the form.
• You must specify each player's contributions in detail.
• Minimal effort does not count as collaboration. This includes actions such as uploading a world for someone, finding assets, or adding MP3 files or images. Collaboration must be genuine.
• Collaborator rewards may be delayed as we review the collaboration.

Goals:

• If the game jam includes a goal, it will have a deadline. After the deadline, goal tracking will stop.
• Only entries with the official game jam tag are eligible for goal rewards.
• Goal rewards will be sent on the last day of the goal deadline.
• If your entry was rejected, you are ineligible to participate in the goals unless you submit a new entry or successfully appeal for another review.

Categories and Winners:

• Each game jam will have the following categories:
  • Best Overall Experience: Scores top marks in all categories listed below.
  • Best Scripting: A world built with scripting, free of bugs, and providing a smooth experience.
  • Best Interactive Elements: Awarded to worlds with the most interactive features, including UI elements.
  • Best Creative Design: Recognizes either original art or a well-designed world, whether using paid assets or handmade elements.
  • The fifth category is dynamic and will be based on the game jam theme, as specified in the announcement.
• Winners will be announced at the end of the game jam.
• Rewards will be sent afterward once they are fully prepared.
• A creator cannot win in two categories with the same world, but multiple worlds from the same creator can win in different categories.

General Rules:

• You must be 13 or older to participate in a game jam.
• Worlds must follow the Highrise Community Guidelines.
• You may use pre-existing code, art, and audio assets you have legal rights to use, but worlds made before the announcement cannot be reused.
• You may not
  • Use any form of cheating or hacking to gain an advantage in the game jam.
  • Use any form of inappropriate content in your world.
  • Use any form of harassment or bullying in your world.
  • Use any form of scamming or misleading information in your world.
  • Use any form of copyrighted content without permission.
  • Use any form of offensive content in your world.

Rules are subject to change based on the game jam. Be sure to review the official rules and guidelines for the game jam you are participating in.

Benefits of Participating in a Game Jam

Participating in a game jam offers several benefits for game developers, including:

1. Skill Development: Game jams provide an opportunity to practice and improve your game development skills, such as programming, game design, and project management.
2. Creativity: The constraints of a game jam theme can inspire creative solutions and innovative game designs.
3. Networking: Game jams are a great way to connect with other developers, share ideas, and collaborate on projects.
4. Feedback: Participating in a game jam allows you to receive feedback on your work from other developers and players, helping you improve your skills and grow as a developer.
5. Recognition: Winning a game jam can provide recognition for your work and help you build a portfolio of completed projects.
6. Prizes: Many game jams offer prizes and rewards for the top entries, providing an incentive to participate and do your best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit a world that I created before the game jam announcement?

No, all entries must be created after the game jam announcement. Worlds created before the announcement will be rejected.

Can I collaborate with other players on my entry?

Yes, you can collaborate with one other player on your entry. Be sure to specify each player's contributions when submitting your entry.

How are winners selected for the game jam?

Winners are selected based on the judging criteria outlined in the game jam announcement. Each entry is evaluated based on its overall experience, scripting, interactive elements, creative design, and adherence to the theme.

Can I update my world after the submission deadline?

Yes, you can update your world after the submission deadline until the winner announcement day. Be sure to make any necessary changes before the deadline.

How are rewards distributed to winners?

Rewards are sent to winners within 48 hours after the winner announcement. If you have not received your rewards after this time, please contact support for assistance.

Can I giveaway in-world gold/items during the game jam?

Yes, giveaways and tipping in worlds are allowed during the game jam. Since game jams are no longer judged based on engagement, you are free to interact with players in your world.

Can I participate in the game jam as a solo developer?

Yes, solo developers are welcome to participate in the game jam. You can work on your entry individually or collaborate with other developers to create a world.

Are there any restrictions on the content I can include in my world?

Yes, all entries must adhere to the Highrise Community Guidelines. This includes restrictions on inappropriate content, harassment, bullying, scamming, misleading information, and copyrighted content without permission.

How often are game jams held in Highrise?

Game Jam Challenges are typically held on a monthly basis in Highrise. Be sure to check the Highrise Forum and Discord server for announcements about upcoming game jams.

Where can I find more information about the current game jam?

You can find more information about the current game jam on the Highrise Forum and Discord server. Be sure to check the announcement for details on the theme, rules, and deadlines.

How can I appeal a rejected entry?

If your entry was rejected and you believe it was done in error, you can appeal the decision on Discord. Be sure to provide any relevant information or evidence to support your appeal.

Can I participate in the goals if my entry was rejected?

No, if your entry was rejected, you are ineligible to participate in the goals. You must submit a new entry or successfully appeal the rejection to be eligible for the goals.

What happens if I submit a purchased world for the game jam?

If you submit a purchased world for the game jam, your entry will be rejected, and you will be ineligible to submit a new entry. Be sure to create original content for the game jam to avoid penalties.

Can I use pre-existing code, art, or audio assets in my entry?

Yes, you can use pre-existing code, art, and audio assets that you have legal rights to use. However, worlds made before the announcement cannot be reused, and all entries must be created after the game jam announcement.

How can I track the status of my entry?

You can track the status of your entry through the sheet provided in the game jam announcement. The status will indicate whether your entry is under review, approved, or rejected, and any rewards you are eligible to receive.