Game Jam Rules

Game Jams are curated creative events designed to support Highrise’s most dedicated creators in building rich, polished, and memorable worlds. Each Game Jam features a structured theme, clear technical expectations, and meaningful rewards focused on quality, originality, and collaboration.

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 any previous Game Jam tag and apply the current Game Jam tag.
• Updated worlds must include meaningful 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
  • Required 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 this time is not allowed.
• Worlds are judged based on:
  • Overall quality and polish
  • Alignment with the theme and required mechanic
  • Functionality and performance
  • Depth, design cohesion, and player experience
• Winners receive exclusive in game items created specifically for the Game Jam.
• Each eligible winning collaborator receives the full reward.
• Rewards are item based rather than gold based.
• Recognition may also include badges, blog features, or official promotion.

Participation Rewards

• Participation rewards are not guaranteed.
• To qualify for a participation reward, a submission must meet a higher baseline of quality and completeness.
• Baseline requirements may include, but are not limited to:
  • Proper colliders and lighting
  • Functional navigation and gameplay systems
  • Clear adherence to the theme and mechanic
  • Overall effort and polish
• A demo video submission is required for participation reward consideration.
• Low effort, off theme, or incomplete worlds will not receive rewards.

Event Cadence and Timeline

Game Jams follow a repeating three month cycle.

One month active Game Jam
Two months of downtime

The active month is divided into:

• Submission period: 3 weeks
• Judging period: 1 week

Winners are announced at the end of the judging week. Exact 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, hands on contributions to the world.
• Each collaborator’s role must be clearly described at submission time.
• Only collaborators with significant contributions are eligible for rewards.
• The world owner is responsible for accurately representing all contributions.

Examples of Qualifying Contributions

Qualifying contributions include work that directly impacts the world’s creation or functionality, such as:

• Building or dressing environments
• Creating or implementing gameplay mechanics
• Writing scripts or systems
• Designing UI or interaction flows
• Creating original assets, animations, audio, or VFX
• Level design, puzzle design, or game balancing
• Lighting, optimization, or performance improvements

Examples of Non Qualifying Contributions

The following do not qualify as meaningful collaboration and will not be rewarded:

• Helping choose or suggest assets without implementing them
• Uploading or publishing the world on someone else’s behalf
• Providing general feedback without hands on implementation
• Being listed as a collaborator for visibility or rewards only
• Administrative or logistical help only
• Owning hardware, accounts, or tools without contributing work
• Minimal or token involvement added after most work is complete

Submissions that misrepresent collaboration may have collaborators removed from reward eligibility or be disqualified entirely.

Content Requirements

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

Updating Existing Worlds

• Existing worlds may be submitted if they are substantially updated for the current Game Jam.
• Updated submissions must:
  • Follow the visual theme
  • Include the required gameplay mechanic
  • Remove old Game Jam tags
  • Apply the current Game Jam tag
• Updated worlds are judged equally alongside new submissions.

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
• Rejected entries may be updated and resubmitted before judging begins.
• Appeals may be submitted through Discord under #server-support during the submission period.

Partner Program Eligibility

• Winners and standout creators may receive an invitation to the Creator Partner Program.
• Acceptance provides access to private creator channels and direct team support.

General Rules

• Participants must be 13 years or older.
• Cheating, misleading practices, or misrepresentation result in disqualification.
• Worlds containing inappropriate or guideline violating content will be removed.
• Purchased or fraudulently submitted worlds result in permanent exclusion from Game Jams.

Benefits of Participating

1. Build advanced skills in scripting, world design, UI, and systems.
2. Create polished worlds under structured creative constraints.
3. Collaborate with skilled creators.
4. Gain visibility and official recognition.
5. Earn exclusive items and long term status within the creator community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a world I started before the Game Jam?
Yes. Existing worlds are allowed if they are meaningfully updated to match the current theme and mechanic.

Can I collaborate with others?
Yes. Up to four collaborators are allowed, provided each contributes meaningfully.

How are winners selected?
Based on overall quality, polish, theme alignment, mechanic execution, and player experience.

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

What rewards are given?
Winners receive exclusive in game items. Participation rewards are limited and quality gated.

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

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

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

Can I use pre existing code or assets?
Yes, as long as you have legal rights and the world meaningfully reflects the current Game Jam theme.

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