San Diego Summer Game Jam 2025

Do you have what it takes to make a great game? (Of course you do!) Enter the San Diego Game Jam and make the best game you can in just 1 weekend!

Participants will create games based on a common theme and chosen mechanics. A panel of industry professionals will review these games and decide the winners in different categories.

• Best Overall
• Best Audio
• Best Art
• Best Narrative
• Best Design

Make your own game and most importantly have fun!

The San Diego Game Jam is a weekend-long friendly competition in which teams of game developers create brand-new games based on a challenging theme. Technically, the team that creates the best game wins, but the real prize is the friends we make along the way.

Celebrate our local San Diego game development community! Connect with other game makers, meet new friends, share your ideas, and build your dream game 2 within a weekend.

Developers of all skill levels are welcome. Professionals, hobbyists, and even first-time devs should not miss this amazing opportunity to make games and connect with other game makers.

Please join the IGDA San Diego Discord to get more information on this event, or if you are joining us online.

https://www.igdasandiego.org/discord

The 2025 San Diego Game Jam is in-person this year. It is free to jam remotely.

P lease join our discord to find a remote team.

Ticket Prices

General Admission (in-person) - $35.00

General Information

Participants must be 18 years or older to participate.

Rules

Participants will receive a theme at the start of the jam.

The maximum team size is 6 people. Participants may work independently.

Participants may not use any previously developed concepts, code, or assets.

Participants may not use any assets or code that is not free and open to public use.

Participants must complete and submit a game by 8PM on Sunday to be eligible for awards.

Judges will review all game submissions and determine prize winners after the jam. The winners will be announced during a mixer event after the jam. Details to follow.

Your game must be playable on both Windows OR in a browser.

Schedule

FRIDAY

5:30pm - 6:00pm: Check in

6:00pm - 6:30pm : Opening statements, theme reveal, ground rules

6:30pm - 8:00pm: Jam Starts! Pitch ideas, form teams, and eat pizza!

9:00pm: Campus Doors close, join us again tomorrow!

SATURDAY

9:00 am: Campus Doors Open

10:00am: Brunch

5:00pm: Dinner

9:00pm: Campus Doors close, join us tomorrow!

SUNDAY

9:00am: Campus Doors Open

10:00am: Brunch

5:00pm: Dinner

7:00pm: Submission window closes, Game showcase starts

8:00 - 9:00pm: Cleaning the campus

9:00pm: Campus Doors close, thanks for joining us!

What is a game jam?

A game jam is an event where pros and hobbyists come together to build a game in a set period of time, usually 48 hours. Participants are given a theme and set out to interpret that theme into a game in small groups.

Is this a competition?

Yes! Participants will compete to make games based on a common theme and chosen mechanics. These games will be reviewed by a panel of industry professional judges who will decide winners in different categories. Winners will receive great prizes.

Do I need to be a game developer to attend?

The jam is open to everyone, regardless of skill level or profession.

What kind of games can I make?

Digital games are accepted. Games should be playable on Windows or Mac. Browser-based games work best.

Do I need to be an IGDA member to participate?

This event is open to the public. No membership is required, but IGDA membership helps fund future events!

Health and Safety

Masks are recommended while indoors to prevent the spread of COVID.

Still have questions? Contact us at [email protected]!

Host or Publisher IGDA San Diego