47th GM48
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gm(48) vs Ludum Dare: Which Game Jam is Right for You?

Both game jams offer valuable experiences for developers. Ludum Dare's legendary Compo and Jam formats provide maximum flexibility across any engine, while gm(48) delivers focused GameMaker expertise in a specialized community. Understanding the differences helps you choose the jam that matches your goals.

Learn About gm(48) Upcoming game jams

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

Two Excellent Approaches to Game Jams

Game jams come in different flavors: large multi-format events that embrace diverse toolsets and specialized engine-focused jams that deepen community expertise. Both create amazing games under tight deadlines, but the format and community differ.

Multi-Format Jams

Events like Ludum Dare offer:

  • Dual competition: Compo (48hr solo, strict) or Jam (72hr team, relaxed)
  • Freedom to use Unity, Unreal, Godot, or any engine
  • 20+ year legacy with massive community reach
  • Optional community voting across multiple categories
Specialized Engine Jams

Events like gm(48) offer:

  • Unified 48hr format for both solo and team entries
  • Deep GameMaker Studio 2 expertise and GML support
  • Required peer review ensuring quality feedback for everyone
  • 8+ years of GameMaker-focused learning and collaboration

Key Differences

Understanding how these jam types differ helps you choose the experience that matches your development goals and learning style.

Engine Focus

Ludum Dare: Any engine welcome—Unity, Unreal, Godot, custom tools. Explore different technologies and workflows.

gm(48): GameMaker Studio 2 only. Deep GML expertise, shared code libraries, and engine-specific problem-solving.

Format Structure

Ludum Dare: Choose between Compo (48hr solo, all assets created during jam, strict rules) or Jam (72hr teams, pre-made assets allowed, relaxed rules).

gm(48): Unified 48hr format for both solo and team entries with balanced rules about pre-made assets and resources.

Community Depth

Ludum Dare: Massive 20+ year community across all game development approaches. Diverse perspectives from different development backgrounds.

gm(48): Specialized GameMaker community with 8+ years of focused knowledge sharing and ongoing relationships. Everyone speaks GML.

Voting & Feedback

Ludum Dare: Optional community voting across multiple categories. Participate as much or as little as you prefer in rating and feedback.

gm(48): Team owners must provide written feedback on 10 games or face disqualification. Ensures everyone receives constructive feedback.

Decision Guide

Which Jam is Right for You?

Both jams provide valuable experiences. Choose based on your current goals, preferred learning style, and the type of community support that helps you grow.

Choose Ludum Dare when:
  • You want maximum flexibility in tools and engines
  • You prefer choosing between Compo (strict solo) and Jam (relaxed team) formats
  • You want optional community voting without feedback requirements
  • You're exploring different game development approaches
  • You want to connect with the largest game jam community (20+ year legacy)
  • You prefer having extra time (72 hours) for team projects in Jam mode
Choose gm(48) when:
  • You're using or learning GameMaker Studio 2
  • You want GameMaker-specific help, feedback, and code sharing
  • You value deep engine expertise from the community
  • You prefer a unified format (48 hours for both solo and team)
  • You want required peer review and constructive feedback
  • You're building a GameMaker-focused portfolio
  • You prefer a more structured feedback system

Why gm(48) for GameMaker Developers

When everyone uses the same engine, the community provides focused support that accelerates learning and problem-solving during the intense 48-hour window.

Everyone Speaks GML

When the entire community uses GameMaker Studio 2:

  • Someone always knows how to fix that collision bug you've been stuck on
  • Share GML code directly in Discord for immediate feedback and solutions
  • Learn optimization tricks and techniques that actually work in your GameMaker projects
  • Build on shared GameMaker libraries and community resources from past jams
  • No need to explain GameMaker-specific workflows or limitations—everyone gets it
  • Get feedback from developers who understand GameMaker's strengths and quirks
8+ Years of GameMaker Community

The gm(48) has been running since 2014:

  • Over 45 quarterly jams building ongoing relationships
  • 1880+ GameMaker games created by the community
  • Some prototypes grew into commercial Steam releases through Developer Funding
  • Veterans recognize and mentor returning participants across multiple jams
  • Established patterns and best practices for GameMaker game jams
Focused Learning Path

Specialized jams offer depth:

  • Master GameMaker-specific patterns and best practices from experienced developers
  • Access curated learning resources tailored to GML programming
  • Build portfolio pieces that demonstrate GameMaker competency to potential employers
  • Join a community that understands your specific engine challenges and workflows
  • Discover GameMaker tricks that work in your projects immediately after the jam

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about choosing between jam types and formats.

Yes! Many developers participate in both. Ludum Dare typically runs twice per year (April and October), while gm(48) is quarterly, so schedules often don't conflict. Both jams offer unique benefits—Ludum Dare provides flexibility and format choices, while gm(48) offers focused GameMaker expertise. Participating in both expands your network and accelerates skill development. Check the game jam schedule to plan ahead.

gm(48) is specifically designed for GameMaker developers. You'll get engine-specific help, GML code examples shared directly in Discord, and feedback from experienced GameMaker users who understand the engine's nuances. Ludum Dare offers broader game development insights across multiple engines, which is valuable for understanding the industry landscape. If your goal is mastering GameMaker Studio 2, gm(48) accelerates that journey through specialized knowledge sharing.

No! gm(48) welcomes beginners. The GameMaker-focused community is excellent for learning, with many experienced developers willing to help newcomers during and after the jam. If you can create basic movement, simple collisions, and understand game loops, you're ready to participate. The resource library provides learning materials, and the Discord community actively helps first-time participants. Many beginners successfully create their first games with community support.

Ludum Dare is perfect for engine experimentation since you can use any tools—Unity, Unreal, Godot, custom engines, or even pen and paper. gm(48) is specialized for GameMaker Studio 2, ensuring consistent tooling and focused community support. If you're exploring multiple engines or haven't chosen one yet, Ludum Dare offers more flexibility. If you've committed to GameMaker or want to deepen your GML skills, gm(48) provides targeted learning opportunities.

Ludum Dare's Compo (48 hours, solo only, all content created during jam) is similar in duration to gm(48) but stricter—no pre-made assets or team collaboration allowed. The Jam (72 hours, teams allowed, pre-made assets permitted) is more relaxed with extra time. gm(48) offers a unified 48-hour format for both solo and team entries with balanced rules about pre-made assets and base code. If you want format choice, pick Ludum Dare. If you prefer unified rules with GameMaker focus, choose gm(48). Review the gm(48) rules for specific details.

Both offer prizes, but in different ways. Ludum Dare focuses on community recognition and optional sponsorship prizes that vary by event. gm(48) awards GameMaker Studio 2 licenses to top three entries and offers a unique Developer Funding program where standout prototypes receive funding and mentorship to grow into commercial releases. This provides a potential path from jam game to Steam storefront. Both jams provide valuable portfolio-building opportunities and community recognition. Learn more about why participate in gm(48).

Both jams emphasize learning and creativity over pure competition. gm(48) requires participants to provide feedback on 10 games, fostering a supportive community where everyone receives constructive criticism. Ludum Dare has optional voting, allowing you to choose your level of engagement—some participants rate hundreds of games, others focus on creating. Both communities celebrate completed projects and creative solutions. Choose based on whether you prefer required feedback exchange (gm48) or optional participation (Ludum Dare), not competition level.

Both are beginner-friendly! Choose gm(48) if you're learning GameMaker and want engine-specific guidance throughout the jam. The specialized community helps with GML questions, debugging, and GameMaker workflows. Choose Ludum Dare if you're exploring game development broadly or want multiple format options—the Jam mode (72 hours, teams, relaxed rules) is particularly welcoming for first-timers. Both communities actively help newcomers scope appropriately and finish strong. Read what is a game jam to understand the general format before jumping in.
Ready to participate in a GameMaker game jam?
The next gm(48) begins on January 17 and is open for free to GameMaker developers of any type, skill level and background.

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From Idea to Game in 48 Hours

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