Choosing the Right Game Jam for You

I’ve been running gm(48) for a long time now, and one of the things I love most about it is how much creativity and community spirit pours out of game jams in general.
But I also know it’s not always easy to figure out which jam is the right fit — every one has its own quirks, traditions, and vibes.

So, here’s a quick tour through how gm(48) compares with a few of the bigger jams out there. Think of it as me pointing you toward the right party, depending on what kind of night you want.

Global Game Jam is enormous — thousands of people all over the world meet up in person to make games in any engine they like. It’s got this buzzing energy, and if you want that big festival feeling, it’s perfect.

gm(48) is kind of the opposite: smaller, remote, and entirely focused on GameMaker Studio 2. That makes it easier to join (no travel needed) and creates a tighter community where everyone speaks the same “language.” Over the years, that’s led to friendships, mentoring, and long-term collaboration.

If you’re curious, I’ve written more about how gm(48) compares to Global Game Jam.

Ludum Dare has been around forever, and it’s famous for its two tracks: a strict 48-hour solo “Compo” and a looser 72-hour “Jam.” If you like experimenting with formats, it’s great fun.

With gm(48), the format is simpler: everyone gets 48 hours, whether you’re solo or in a team. The big difference is feedback. Every participant reviews ten other games, so you know your entry will get thoughtful comments, not just a star rating.

You can dive deeper into gm(48) vs Ludum Dare here.

The GMTK Jam (run by Mark Brown) is a monster of an event. Tens of thousands of people join, and the best games get spotlighted on YouTube. If you’re aiming for visibility, it’s a great stage.

gm(48) is smaller and more focused. Because it runs four times a year, it’s less about chasing one big splash and more about steady growth: practice, feedback, improvement, repeat. The community’s built around helping each other improve in GameMaker specifically, and that consistency really adds up.

I’ve also put together a page comparing gm(48) and GMTK Jam if you want the details.

The GMC Jam also focuses on GameMaker, but it’s more relaxed — longer deadlines, forum threads, and optional feedback. That can be nice if you want time to polish, but sometimes entries don’t get much attention once the jam ends.

gm(48) keeps things snappy and structured: 48 hours to create, two weeks of judging, and written feedback is required. Plus, the site itself gives you submission tools, analytics, and a showcase where even small, scrappy games get noticed.

Here’s a closer look at gm(48) vs GMC Jam.

Every jam has its own flavor. Some are massive, some are loose, some are built for experimentation.

gm(48) is for people who want to dig into GameMaker, get useful feedback, and grow as developers in a friendly, tight-knit space. If that sounds like your scene, you’re more than welcome to join the next round.

Come join us: next gm(48) sign-up is here.