What tools can I use in GMTK Game Jam?

GMTK Game Jam is engine-agnostic—use Unity, Unreal, Godot, GameMaker, or any tool you prefer. Teams can even use multiple engines. This flexibility makes GMTK ideal for exploring different technologies or working with diverse teams.

How do judging and feedback differ between gm(48) and GMTK?

gm(48) requires participants to provide written feedback on 10 games, creating detailed community critique. Rankings use Bayesian averaging across multiple categories. GMTK uses itch.io's rating system where participants rate games voluntarily. GMTK attracts thousands of ratings per game but feedback varies in depth. gm(48) prioritizes constructive, required feedback for learning.

How often do the jams run (cadence & schedule)?

GMTK Game Jam runs annually in late July (usually the last weekend). gm(48) happens quarterly (roughly March, June, September, December), giving you four opportunities per year. Both are 48-hour jams. Check the schedule to plan participation.

Are solo developers or teams better served by each jam?

Both jams welcome solo developers and teams. GMTK's engine flexibility suits multi-disciplinary teams using different tools. gm(48) works best for GameMaker-focused teams or solo developers, with shared GML knowledge enabling easier collaboration and code sharing.

gm(48) vs GMTK Game Jam

Q: Which jam offers better visibility for indie games?

GMTK Game Jam has unmatched visibility through Mark Brown's YouTube channel with millions of subscribers. Top entries get featured in his videos. gm(48) offers focused visibility within the GameMaker community, prizes for top entries, and recognition from GameMaker developers worldwide. Choose based on your goals: broad reach (GMTK) or specialized GameMaker exposure (gm(48)).

Both jams celebrate creativity in 48-hour sprints. GMTK Game Jam offers massive visibility through Mark Brown's YouTube channel and engine freedom, while gm(48) provides GameMaker-focused mentorship and community recognition. Understanding the differences helps you choose the jam that aligns with your goals.

Learn About gm(48) Upcoming game jams

New to game jams? Learn what game jams are first.

Two Paths to Weekend Game Development

Weekend game jams come in different styles: high-visibility events with massive reach and specialized engine jams with focused mentorship. Both create complete games in 48 hours, but the community, visibility, and support differ significantly.

High-Visibility Jams

Events like GMTK Game Jam offer:

YouTube showcase with millions of views via Mark Brown's channel
Any engine welcome—Unity, Unreal, Godot, GameMaker, or custom tools
Thousands of submissions and massive itch.io community
Annual late-July event with exceptional industry visibility

Engine-Specific Jams

Events like gm(48) offer:

Quarterly opportunities (four jams per year instead of one)
Deep GameMaker Studio 2 expertise and mandatory GML feedback
Prizes for top entries and community recognition opportunities
Specialized GameMaker community with 8+ years of focused collaboration

Key Differences

Understanding how these jams differ helps you choose the weekend experience that matches your visibility goals, learning style, and engine preferences.

Engine Focus

GMTK Game Jam: Any engine welcome—Unity, Unreal, Godot, GameMaker, custom tools. Explore technologies freely.

gm(48): GameMaker Studio 2 only. Everyone speaks GML, shares compatible code, and provides engine-specific solutions.

Event Cadence

GMTK Game Jam: Annual event in late July. One massive jam each year with maximum visibility.

gm(48): Quarterly jams (March, June, September, December). Four opportunities per year to participate and improve.

Visibility & Judging

GMTK Game Jam: Top games featured in Mark Brown's YouTube videos (millions of views). Voluntary itch.io ratings.

gm(48): Mandatory feedback on 10 games. Bayesian-averaged rankings. Prizes and community recognition for top entries.

Community Size & Support

GMTK Game Jam: Thousands of participants. Diverse multi-engine community. Broad networking opportunities.

gm(48): Focused GameMaker community. Deep engine expertise, GML-specific mentorship, and ongoing relationships.

Decision Guide

Which Jam Fits Your Goals?

Both jams deliver valuable weekend experiences. Choose based on your visibility goals, engine preferences, feedback needs, and the type of community support that accelerates your growth.

Choose GMTK Game Jam when:

You want maximum visibility through YouTube showcase opportunities
You prefer engine flexibility (Unity, Unreal, Godot, GameMaker, etc.)
You're exploring game development with different tools
You want to connect with the largest possible indie game community
July timing works best for your schedule

Choose gm(48) when:

You're mastering GameMaker Studio 2 and want GML expertise
You value mandatory, constructive feedback for learning
You value community recognition and portfolio-building within the GameMaker ecosystem
You prefer quarterly participation (four chances per year)
You're building a GameMaker-focused portfolio

Why gm(48) for GameMaker Developers

When everyone uses GameMaker Studio 2, the community provides specialized support, shared GML libraries, and engine-specific problem-solving that accelerates development during the 48-hour sprint.

Everyone Speaks GML

When the entire community uses GameMaker Studio 2:

Get immediate help with that collision bug or shader issue from developers who know GML
Share code directly in Discord for real-time feedback and solutions
Learn GameMaker optimization tricks that work in your projects
Build on community GameMaker libraries and scripts from past jams

Prizes & Community Recognition

gm(48) rewards outstanding work:

GameMaker Studio 2 licenses awarded to top three entries each jam
Recognition within the GameMaker ecosystem and developer network
Build portfolio pieces demonstrating GameMaker competency to employers
Visibility through the gm(48) showcase and Hall of Fame

8+ Years of GameMaker Community

The gm(48) has run quarterly since 2014:

Over 45 quarterly jams building ongoing relationships
1880+ GameMaker games created by the community
Veterans recognize and mentor returning participants across jams
Curated GameMaker learning resources from community expertise

Mandatory Constructive Feedback

Structured feedback for growth:

Every participant provides written feedback on 10 games (disqualification if skipped)
Feedback focuses on mechanics, design, and accessibility improvements
Rankings use Bayesian averaging across multiple categories for fairness
Learn from detailed critique that helps you improve between jams

GMTK's YouTube Visibility & Alumni Success

GMTK Game Jam offers exceptional visibility through Mark Brown's Game Maker's Toolkit YouTube channel, with top games showcased to millions of subscribers.

YouTube Showcase Exposure

GMTK's signature visibility advantage:

Mark Brown features top games in post-jam YouTube videos with millions of views
Showcase videos highlight innovative mechanics and creative interpretations of the theme
Featured games gain exposure to game developers, publishers, and indie enthusiasts worldwide
Annual jam brings fresh visibility opportunities each July

GMTK Alumni Successes

Past GMTK prototypes that became commercial successes:

Several GMTK prototypes evolved into full Steam releases
Featured games attract publisher attention and community following
Thousands of ratings per top game provide valuable market validation
Annual event creates momentum for post-jam development

Massive itch.io Community

GMTK's scale and reach:

Thousands of submissions each year across all game engines
Vibrant itch.io community with diverse development backgrounds
Broad networking opportunities across the indie game industry
Theme announced at start creates synchronized creative sprint

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about choosing between GMTK Game Jam and gm(48).

Yes! GMTK Game Jam runs annually in late July, while gm(48) happens quarterly (roughly March, June, September, December). Many developers participate in both throughout the year. GMTK offers exceptional visibility through Mark Brown's YouTube channel, while gm(48) provides GameMaker-specific mentorship and community recognition. Participating in both gives you broad exposure and specialized skill development. Check the game jam schedule to plan ahead.

GMTK Game Jam has unmatched broad visibility through Mark Brown's YouTube channel with millions of subscribers. Top entries get featured in his showcase videos, providing exposure to developers, publishers, and enthusiasts worldwide. gm(48) offers focused visibility within the GameMaker community, prizes for top entries, and recognition from GameMaker developers globally. Choose based on your goals: massive reach (GMTK) or specialized GameMaker exposure with community recognition (gm(48)).

Yes, gm(48) requires GameMaker Studio 2 (or GameMaker Studio) exclusively. This ensures everyone speaks GML, shares compatible code, and provides engine-specific support. Basic GameMaker familiarity helps, but beginners are welcome. The community actively mentors newcomers during jams, and the resource library provides GameMaker learning materials. If you can create simple movement and collisions in GameMaker, you're ready to participate.

GMTK Game Jam is engine-agnostic—use Unity, Unreal, Godot, GameMaker, Construct, or any tool you prefer. Teams can even mix engines if desired. This flexibility makes GMTK ideal for exploring different technologies, working with multi-disciplinary teams, or experimenting with tools you're learning. The only requirement is creating a game within 48 hours that fits the announced theme.

gm(48) requires participants to provide written feedback on 10 games or face disqualification. Feedback focuses on mechanics, design, and accessibility. Rankings use Bayesian averaging across multiple categories for fairness. GMTK Game Jam uses itch.io's voluntary rating system where participants rate games if they choose. GMTK attracts thousands of ratings per top game, but feedback depth varies. gm(48) prioritizes structured, constructive critique for learning; GMTK emphasizes scale and voluntary community engagement.

GMTK Game Jam runs annually in late July (typically the last weekend of the month). gm(48) happens quarterly—roughly March, June, September, and December—giving you four opportunities per year to participate and improve. Both are 48-hour jams. If you want more frequent participation, gm(48)'s quarterly schedule provides consistent practice. If you prefer one major annual event with maximum visibility, GMTK's July timing works well. Check the schedule to plan your participation.

Both jams welcome solo developers and teams. GMTK's engine flexibility suits multi-disciplinary teams using different tools (programmer in Unity, artist in Aseprite, etc.). Teams can collaborate across engines if desired. gm(48) works best for GameMaker-focused teams or solo developers, as shared GML knowledge enables easier code sharing and collaboration. If your team all uses GameMaker, gm(48) provides better technical synergy. For diverse toolsets, GMTK offers more flexibility.

GMTK showcases top games in Mark Brown's YouTube videos, providing exposure to millions of viewers and potential publishers. This visibility can lead to wishlists, followers, and industry connections. gm(48) awards GameMaker Studio 2 licenses to top three games and provides community recognition and portfolio-building opportunities within the GameMaker ecosystem. GMTK provides massive exposure; gm(48) provides prizes and engine-specific recognition. Both create portfolio value and community standing within their respective communities.

Ready to Join gm(48)?

Experience GameMaker-focused mentorship, mandatory constructive feedback, and community recognition opportunities. Four quarterly jams per year mean you don't have to wait long for the next one.

Why Participate in gm(48) View Schedule

Also exploring other jams? Check out our gm(48) vs Global Game Jam comparison.