Overview & Purpose
GameJam is designed to push creative boundaries and challenge participants to develop a polished game within a limited timeframe. This rulebook outlines everything needed to participate, from the theme reveal to submission guidelines and judging criteria.
Unleash your creativity.
How This Works
Online Round
The full theme will be revealed at the start of the online round. Teams will have a designated timeframe to design, develop, and submit a complete game based on the theme.
Onsite Round
Online submissions will be evaluated to select the Top 20 teams. Selected teams will present the exact submitted game in the onsite grand finale. No modifications are allowed after online submission.
Rounds to Face
Online
The full theme will be revealed at the official start of the jam. Participants will develop games from scratch and submit every required component before the deadline.
- A fully working build of the game on itch.io, either Windows or Web.
- A gameplay video explaining the game's mechanics, design, and connection to the theme.
- A public GitHub repository link to verify development history and project integrity.
Onsite
The onsite round will take place live at Islamic University of Technology, Boardbazar, Gazipur.
- This is a presentation-only round for the Top 20 selected teams.
- Teams will pitch and demo the exact game submitted during the online round.
- Preliminary scores used to select the Top 20 will not carry over to the onsite round, except the video pitch submission score.
For onsite round, you don't have to make any new game and you can't update your previously submitted game. Here, you will have to present the game you already submitted in online round to the judges.
Event Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration | 17th June to the end of the online round |
| Online Round | Approximately July 14 - July 20, 2026 |
| Video Submission Deadline | 21st July, 2026, 11:59 PM Bangladesh time |
| Onsite Round | July 25, 2026 at Islamic University of Technology |
Once the online submission deadline passes, project files and GitHub repositories must freeze. Any post-deadline modification before the onsite event will result in immediate disqualification.
Registration and Team Formation
- Each team will consist of 1 to 3 members.
- Once formed, team members cannot be substituted for the remainder of the competition.
- Cross-university teams are permitted.
- Eligible participants include higher secondary students, undergraduate students, and graduate students of HSC-21 or equivalent.
- Registration for the online stage is free.
- The onsite round will require a registration fee of 700 BDT per team, only for selected teams.
Rules and Guidelines
General Rules
- Teams must have a unique name.
- Participants will open an empty git repository and start developing from there.
- Any engine or framework may be used as long as the end user does not need to install additional software.
- Participants must create a new game project and cannot edit previous game project files for this game jam.
- Participants are allowed to reuse assets within the stated restrictions.
Asset Restrictions
- No NSFW content in visuals, audio, text, or any other form.
- No assets that violate itch.io terms of service.
- No copyrighted assets.
Online Round Rules
- Participants must submit their game within the deadline with proper information.
- Participants must submit a short video explaining the submitted game.
- The GameJam video submission deadline is 21st July, 2026, 11:59 PM Bangladesh time.
- Participants must maintain a git repository of their game.
Onsite Round Rules
- Participants must bring their project and game executable files.
- Participants must bring the student ID card used for registration.
- Participants must bring their own devices, including laptop, mouse, keyboard, and other required equipment.
Game and Video Submission
Game Submission
- The game will be submitted to the GameJam event on itch.io.
- One team can submit only one game.
- Participants must submit builds for Windows or Web.
- Multiple builds for different platforms are allowed, but all must be submitted before the deadline.
- Participants may make changes to their submission before the deadline.
- Participants may update game page information on itch.io after submission.
Required Submission Information
- Team name.
- Name of the team members.
- Used engine or frameworks.
- How to install, if needed.
- How to play.
- Git repository link.
- Video link from YouTube.
- Any other important information, such as asset credits or game breaking bugs.
Video Submission
- Participants must create a short gameplay video and explain the game.
- The video must be uploaded to YouTube or Drive and submitted as a link.
- The deadline is 21st July, 2026, 11:59 PM Bangladesh time.
- The video may be used to showcase the game on social media.
- The video name must follow this format: TeamName_GameName.
NOTE: The authority has the prerogative to make conclusive decisions at any point during the entire competition duration.
Judging Criteria
Games will be judged based on five criteria.
| Criteria | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Theme | How well the theme was adopted | 25% |
| Gameplay | How interesting the gameplay features are | 25% |
| Design | How fun and challenging the gameplay is | 25% |
| Visual & Audio | How well the game looks and sounds | 15% |
| Video Pitch | How well the video explains the game | 10% |
| Total | Complete score | 100% |
Evaluation
Online Round Evaluation
- Submitted prototypes will be played and scored.
- Evaluation will check whether the prototype is working properly.
- Alignment with the theme will be judged.
- Innovativeness of the idea will be considered.
- All submissions will be ranked based on respective scores.
- Late submissions will be disqualified.
- Cross checking will be carried out against video submissions.
- These scores will not carry forward to the onsite round, except scores on pitch submission.
Onsite Round Evaluation
- Game Design: The core gameplay loop should be engaging, fun, and offer a satisfying challenge.
- Game Mechanics: Mechanics should support the theme and overall gameplay experience.
- Theme Adaptation: The full theme, including the revealed element, should be creatively and meaningfully incorporated.
- Aesthetics: Visual style and soundscape should complement the game's theme and gameplay.
- Judge Discretion: Judges may consider innovation, technical polish, and overall polish.
Reach Us
For registration, competition links, Discord, and event queries, use the following official contact points.
Competition Link
https://itch.io/jam/12th-iut-ict-fest-2026-gamejam| Registration form | iutictfest26.tech/gamejam |
| Competition Link | 12th IUT ICT FEST 2026 GameJam - itch.io |
| Discord Link | https://discord.gg/kXEfDVcRx2 |