Defold x Gamedev.js Jam 2026

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We are proud to announce the Defold Foundation is a sponsor of the Gamedev.js Jam 2026!

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The game jam will start in less than a month - from 2026-04-13T15:00:00Z→2026-04-26T15:00:00Z and is hosted on itch:

We invite you to swarm the jam with entries made with Defold!

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I’ve joined this jam :grinning_face:

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I’ve joined too! Even if I dont know if I will have time to do that :sweat_smile: First jam ever

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It’s a pretty relaxed, ~2 week jam, you’ll make it! :smiley:

Few tips from me:

  • don’t overthink the idea, just go ahead and select any initial thought you had quickly - I usually have an idea for a game I want to create before game jams - then I just try to make it fit the theme, but sometimes indeed, I change the idea when the theme is announced, but you’ll have to do it fast, in the 1. day
  • make something that has a quick to achieve core gameplay loop, avoid making complex genres
  • you can re-use existing ideas, add a twist eventually, or try a hybrid
  • prepare assets, simple sounds, basic graphics, especially GUI, upfront, for the game genre/setting you’d like to do - before the jam - then fit to the theme with the mechanics, not the assets
  • even prepare a starting project, game jam period is for the gameplay creating and testing!
  • prepare a simple main menu structure before the jam, passing between screens - it might be helpful to add a few pages of written tutorial quickly or introduce story then in the beginning, before opening the game itself, then you can adjust to the game
  • complete the core loop at least 1-3 days before the jam and spend the last on testing and polishing
  • make the website/project on itch before the jam, you don’t have to publish it until you’re ready - but upload the builds there to test it’s working in browser! (If you’ll only make a desktop build, chances that others will check out your game drops drastically), at the end - you’ll upload the final build and update the description of the page

@Asatte make a great video on building and uploading on itch:

@benjames171 is our game jam veteran and released a lot of the Defold projects on Github:

Those are a great base, especially for beginners to learn how to make small games focused on gameplay.

@britzl also have a repository of many, many examples:

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Thank you so much, that’s invaluable advices! That confirms I was totally unprepared to do a jam :sweat_smile:
Never built something on itch.io (i merely have an account), dont have assets, almost never did real UI stuff in defold (just some simple HUD and 2 buttons for game start)
I was going to just wait for theme and start from scratch and I was thinking “how the hell do people make a game in 13 days??” :rofl:
Having 3 kids and 2 music bands doesnt help I guess :joy:

Ok I will prepare things upfront, Many thanks for the videos and game examples!

Just a question: do we have to publish the source code?

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No, most jams do not require you to share your source code. Uploading a playable game is enough :slight_smile:

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Another question: do you think Defold 1.12.3 will be out before this jam?

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The beta started this monday, and we always strive for a 2 week beta period.
THis means the next release is scheduled for March 20.

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Those are some really good tips. I didn’t think about how many things that can be created before the jam, even if they’re just placeholders.

I don’t think I’ll have time to participate in this jam, but I might prepare a jam-template for future jams.

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No, you don’t have to according to the rules of this jam. However - Github is organising an Open Source Challenge, so if you’d like to participate in it too. From the website:

Description: Provide the source code of your entry on GitHub in a readable form to have a chance of being featured in a dedicated blog post on the GitHub Blog (see 2022, 2023, and 2024 for reference).

Trust me, I did the same on my first game jam xD

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I have joined to just. Need to see if I can find the time. It helps that it’s 2 weeks

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We’re happy to announce the challenge with rewards - make a game with Defold, submit it to the Gamedev.JS JAM 2026 and win Steam gift cards of total value of €235 for the best 10 entries! :wrapped_gift:

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Rules:

  1. The game has to be made with Defold.
  2. The game has to respect the rules of and be submitted to the Gamedev.JS JAM 2026.
  3. You can work and submit as a team or solo.
  4. You can only use assets you have a legal right to use.
  5. The game shouldn’t contain adult content nor anything illegal, and shouldn’t require to download any additional software. It should be playable in web with mouse, keyboard, gamepad or touch input.

After the jam, the Defold team will play the games made with Defold submitted to the jam and select 10 winners, with which will contact here on the Defold forum or via provided media to give the rewards.

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The jam started and the theme is:

MACHINES

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Haven’t touched game dev for a few years, and exactly 2 days ago started prototyping a game. I guess it’s the sign to join!

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