Game Jams Seem Scary Till You Try One

When I first heard “game jam,” I pictured frantic coders in basements, caffeinated and stressed. But it’s not quite like that (well — maybe sometimes). A game jam is an event where creators — artists, developers, sound people, storytellers — come together to build a playable game prototype in a short window (usually 24–48 hours).

• You get a theme (sometimes revealed at the start) or prompt to inspire your game.
• With that prompt in mind, you brainstorm, design, code, test — fast.
• By the deadline, you have something people can click, play, and (hopefully) smile over.
• There’s almost always a sharing period, where games are shown, judged, or just enjoyed.

• In-person jams tend to have that electric energy — people bouncing ideas off each other, whiteboards scribbled, snacks strewn everywhere.
• Online jams bring flexibility — you can join from anywhere, schedule around your life, and still feel part of a bigger community.
• No matter which you pick, the core feels are the same: collaboration, creative urgency, and a sense of “let’s try this thing.”

It’s totally normal to feel nervous before a jam. That uncertainty is part of what makes the experience worthwhile, too.

• Yes — 48 hours is short. You’ll feel the clock.
• But that constraint makes you decide. You stop second-guessing and just build.
• When you have less time, you focus on what truly matters: core mechanics, fun, feel, and polish.

• You’ll see teammates (or rivals) who seem like pros. But most are figuring things out too.
• Jams attract people who want to try, experiment, and fail forward — that’s the point.
• Many game jams explicitly welcome beginners. You don’t need perfect tools or years of experience.

If you walk in expecting lessons, you won’t be disappointed.

• Rapid prototyping: learning how much you can polish in a short time.
• Problem-solving under pressure: when something breaks, you fix or reroute quickly.
• Tool fluency: you’ll get hands-on with game engines, art tools, audio assets — in a hurry.
• Scope control: knowing what to cut, trim, or postpone when time’s up.

• Communication becomes essential. You’ll talk through broken features, edge cases, and “should we drop this?”
• Conflict may happen — timing, style, priorities — but leaning on consensus or compromise is powerful.
• You see how ideas evolve when different minds iterate together fast.

I’ve picked up a few “if-only-I’d-knowns” over the jams I’ve done. Here are the ones I wish I’d had from the start.

• Pick one core mechanic and do that very well. Don’t try a dozen features.
• Use placeholder art/sounds early to get mechanics working before polishing.
• Plan the “must-have,” “nice-to-have,” and “if-time” tiers.
• Always ask: if we run out of time, what feature do we cut?

• Use a well-known engine or framework you already know (Unity, Godot, GameMaker, etc.).
• Asset stores or free packs help — don’t spend jam time drawing every sprite.
• Version control is your friend. Mistakes happen — don’t lose work.
• Use simple collaboration tools: Trello, Discord, Google Drive — whatever keeps the team synced.

Every time I finish a jam, I feel a little more confident. Here’s why I keep coming back — and why you might too.

• You’ll surprise yourself with what you build under pressure.
• The more you do, the more you trust your intuition and risk-taking.
• You’ll meet people who geek out about games, who share feedback, who energize you.

• People play your game, tell you what worked, what didn’t. That feedback is gold.
• You’ll often find side ideas worth polishing after the jam.
• Even if your game isn’t perfect, it becomes a portfolio piece, a learning object, a conversation starter.

Yes — game jams can seem scary from the outside: strangers, tight deadlines, creative pressure. But once you’ve jumped in, they often feel like playgrounds for your imagination.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or uninspired, I promise that doing a game jam can shake things loose. Even if it’s ugly, incomplete, or “not good enough” in your own head — it still teaches, it still stretches, and it still invites you into a creative community.

So, when’s your first (or next) game jam?

What if I’m totally new to coding or game dev?
That’s okay! Many game jams welcome beginners. You can contribute art, sound, storytelling, testing — whatever suits your skills. It’s a chance to learn.

How do I find game jams to join?
Check sites like itch.io, Global Game Jam, Ludum Dare, or local game dev communities. Many have online participation options.

How long should my first jam’s project be?
Start small — a mechanic or two, a simple loop. Even a “walk to avoid obstacles” game is valid if it’s solid.

Do I need a pre-made team?
You can go solo, or join a team during the jam. Many jams have team-finding phases at the start.

What tools do beginners often use?
Engines like Unity, Godot, GameMaker. Free tools for art (GIMP, Krita) and sound (Audacity). Use what you’re comfortable with.

How do I deal with burnout during the jam?
Take short breaks, distract your mind, stretch, refuel with food. Sometimes stepping away for 5–10 minutes sparks new ideas.