What is a Game Jam?
A game jam is simply a short, creative event (often 48 hours) where developers, artists, audio makers, writers—and anyone curious—team up (or go solo) to build a small playable game around a surprise theme. It’s a friendly space to experiment, learn fast, and connect with other GameMaker and indie developers.
Already know game jams? Learn why they matter to developers.
Understanding Game Jams
A game jam (sometimes called a 48-hour game jam) brings people together—online or in person—to create a small game in a set amount of time (24–72 hours, a weekend, or a week). The point isn’t perfection; it’s creativity, learning, collaboration, and actually finishing something. Lots of people join to try a new tool, practice design, or just have fun making something playful.
Time-Limited
Usually 24-72 hours of intense creative development
Global Events
Usually held online with thousands of participants
Learning & Innovation
A platform for experimenting with new ideas and technologies
The History of Game Jams
Game jams started in the early 2000s as small, informal meetups. As indie development grew, so did the format. Now events like Ludum Dare, Global Game Jam, and the gm(48) GameMaker game jam welcome thousands of people of all skill levels. Over time the community has figured out better theme voting, scope control, rapid prototyping, and healthy feedback habits.
Game Jam Format and Structure
The game jam format is usually: theme reveal → quick brainstorming → get the core loop working → add just enough content → polish → submit. Some jams allow any engine; others (like the gm(48)) center on GameMaker Studio 2 so people can share engine‑specific tips. After submission there’s often a relaxed feedback or rating phase where you learn what resonated.
Benefits of Participating in Game Jams
Some core game jam benefits: you learn by doing, try creative risks without pressure, build portfolio pieces, and get real feedback. The deadline keeps things small and finishable—often leading to playful mechanics you’d never plan in a long project.
Rapid Skill Development
Learn game development, programming, production discipline, and design through intense hands‑on iteration. Time pressure forces prioritization of a minimal, fun core loop.
Community Building
Connect with diverse creators, share techniques, form teams, and build long‑term indie network relationships that extend beyond a single weekend.
Creative Innovation
Safely experiment with new mechanics, art styles, pipelines, shaders, narrative structures, or accessibility features without the pressure of long production cycles.
Portfolio Building
Produce a finished vertical slice or micro‑game demonstrating execution. Each submission evidences scope control and shipping ability—key portfolio signals.
Constructive Feedback
Gather structured feedback (ratings, comments, UX observations) that informs future balancing, onboarding, and accessibility improvements.
Finishing Projects
Deadlines teach ruthless scope management. Many developers finish more complete games via jams than long unbounded solo efforts.
The gm(48) GameMaker Game Jam
The gm(48) is a quarterly 48-hour game jam exclusively for GameMaker developers. The long-standing supportive community welcomes creators of all skill levels, from beginners to experts, fostering an environment of learning, creativity, and collaboration.
Thinking about joining a GameMaker game jam? The next gm(48) starts on January 17. You can learn a ton, meet friendly people, and maybe even pick up a prize. Peek at the upcoming game jam schedule or explore past game jams to see what others finished.
Game Jam Challenges
Game jams are fun—but the clock, scope creep, tech hurdles, and team coordination can still be tricky. A simple plan, version control, and remembering to rest make the whole experience smoother (and more enjoyable).
Time Pressure
The time frame can be stressful, and participants may need to work long hours or sacrifice sleep to complete their games on time. Proper planning and scope management are essential.
Scope Management
Learning to scope appropriately for the time limit is crucial. Many first-time participants attempt projects that are too ambitious for the timeframe.
Technical Challenges
Working with unfamiliar tools or attempting new techniques under pressure can lead to technical difficulties that eat into development time.
Team Coordination
For team participants, coordinating work, managing different time zones, and maintaining clear communication can be challenging but rewarding.
Even with the challenges, the loop of theme → build → refine → share → feedback is a friendly fast‑track for improving design instincts, shipping something small, and feeling part of a welcoming community.
What Participants Are Saying
5Was very fun and learned a lot about common mistakes I make
5It was fun to make a game about a kid shooting down an internet company under 48 hours
5Great way to practice your skills. Creativity through restriction is a great way to come up with good ideas.
The reviews are also good and give fair criticism that helps you improve.
5https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP0Z9ehClR0&t=1s
This was a tough one. It was a challenging theme. I love seeing what other people come up with with theme-based Jams. So cool how other people think.
5It's the only GameMaker game jam that's worth participating in.
It's well-supported and every time I'm shocked at how good the game entries are!
It pushes me to be a faster, better developer.
5Trying to make a game in 48 hours proves one main thing, and that is how short 48 hours really is. Fun, Stressful and Brain-Numbing is what best describes the feeling that engulfs you throughout the competition.
5The great thing about GM48 is that everyone's using the same platform. This makes it easy to collaborate, discuss code and help each other, especially if you join the GameMaker discord server. It really strengthens the community aspect of the game jam.
5I've never participated in a game jam previously and was excited to join in with this. In the middle of tending to two children and going shopping it's been a blast!. The enjoyment of having a set target and project and cracking on to meet the deadline! definitely participate again.
5GM48 was difficult but rewarding. Two days don't seem as much time but many things can be made in this timespan.
5GM(48) never fails to inspire and motivate me to make a game.
The community is awesome and I would've never made so many games without it.
It's the perfect balance between playing and making!
5Loved the jam. Teaming up and making something great in 48 hours (with some sleep) was a great experience. If you make stuff in Game Maker, this is the jam for you.
5Phew! What a ride gm(48) is! I certaintly learned a ton from the jam, and it's inspired a game idea for me!
If you want be a better game developer in general, and spark some game ideas in your head, gm(48) is the place for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue Your Game Jam Journey
Now that you know what a game jam is, here are some helpful next steps if you’d like to keep going:
- • Review the game jam rules & participation guidelines.
- • Read the community mission statement & goals.
- • Browse Hall of Fame winners for polished scope examples.
- • Get notified: never miss another game jam.
- • Discover open‑source GameMaker projects to learn patterns.
- • Understand motivations in why participate in a game jam?
- • Improve fundamentals with GameMaker learning resources.