Digital Game submission

Prepare your playable game, project information, screenshots, and full gameplay recording, then officially submit your project to the jam before 4:00 PM on 24 October 2026. All times below are Vietnam time (UTC+7).

1. Create your itch.io project

One team member may create and submit the project on behalf of the registered team. Use the title format [Team Name] Game Name, for example [Pixel Pioneers] Starbound.

You may prepare the project page in advance. Your game must still be made during the official 48-hour development period and follow the announced theme.

2. Upload and test your playable game

Provide a working downloadable PC build or browser-playable game on your itch.io project page. Clearly state the supported platforms, controls, and any installation or launch instructions. Judges must be able to play without development tools or emulators.

Test the actual uploaded version. Check that it downloads or launches correctly, includes all required files, and can be played from its beginning to its ending or intended conclusion. Explain any significant known issues or limitations.

3. Explain your game on the project page

• Game and team: registered team name and full names of all members. Personal professional contact details are optional. Do not identify your school before the awards ceremony.
• About the game: concept, player objective, intended experience, and distinctive features.
• Theme interpretation: explain how the official theme shapes the mechanics, interactions, visual identity, or overall experience.
• How to play: controls, gameplay instructions, meaningful player choices, progression, and ending or win conditions.
• Design highlights: explain the core mechanics, interesting decisions, and what makes the game engaging.
• Credits and assets: team contributions and sources of all pre-existing or third-party assets.
• Known limitations: important bugs, technical limitations, or clarifications that help judges understand and play the submitted build.

4. Add at least five gameplay screenshots

Upload five or more genuine screenshots of the submitted game. Choose varied images showing gameplay, important mechanics, visual design, interface, and progression. Show only features present in the submitted build.

5. Add a full gameplay recording

Provide at least one continuous, unedited playthrough from start to finish, showing the main mechanics, gameplay progression, and ending, win condition, or intended conclusion. An ordinary screen recording is sufficient; professional editing is not required. Record for as long as needed to demonstrate the complete playable experience.

VIDEO REMINDER: A trailer, edited montage, or highlights reel does not replace the required full gameplay recording. Clearly label the video or link Full Gameplay Video (Start to Finish).

Upload the recording to itch.io where supported, or embed it or link to it from any accessible video or file-hosting platform. Judges must be able to view it without requesting access or special permission. Open the link and check that it works.

6. Publish and submit your project

Publish the project so judges can access it. Visit the official RMIT Game Jam 2026 jam page and use its submission option to enter your project before 4:00 PM on 24 October. Check that the project appears as an official jam entry and that its download or play option, screenshots, and full gameplay video are accessible.

Publishing a project alone does not submit it to the jam. If itch.io asks you to Join Jam, complete that platform step. Event registration has already taken place separately.

DEADLINE & UPLOAD LOCK: Finish all game-file uploads, screenshots, the full gameplay video, required project information, and the official jam submission before 4:00 PM on 24 October. Starting an upload before the deadline does not guarantee completion.
Submitted game files, including itch.io-hosted browser builds, are locked during the configured judging period. Butler uploads follow the same deadline. Page text and external links may remain editable, but this does not extend the Digital Game deadline.

Final submission checklist

• Published itch.io project titled [Team Name] Game Name.
• Working PC build or browser game uploaded and tested.
• Supported platforms, controls, and installation or launch instructions provided.
• Game description, team details, theme interpretation, play instructions, credits, asset sources, and significant limitations explained.
• At least five genuine gameplay screenshots uploaded.
• At least one complete, continuous, unedited start-to-finish gameplay video included, clearly labelled, and accessible without permission requests.
• Project officially submitted to the jam and the entry confirmed.
• All required uploads, information, media, and jam submission completed before 4:00 PM, 24 October 2026.

Analog Game submission

Complete both your official itch.io jam entry and your physical game handover by 4:00 PM on 24 October 2026. All times below are Vietnam time (UTC+7).

1. Collect and prepare your submission box

Collect your team's name-labelled box at the Opening Ceremony on 22 October, check the team name, and take it with you before leaving. Pack your complete playable prototype, every required component, and a written rulebook securely inside the box. Use safe materials. Your team is responsible for printing.

Your rulebook must explain setup, components, player roles, rules, turn or round structure, objectives, and ending or win conditions. Judges should be able to set up and play using the materials provided.

2. Create and submit your itch.io project

One team member may submit on behalf of the team. Title the project [Team Name] Game Name, for example [Pixel Pioneers] Starbound. Publish the project, then use the official jam's submission option to enter it before 4:00 PM on 24 October. Publishing a project alone does not submit it to the jam. A downloadable game file or browser-playable build is not required for Analog Games.

If itch.io asks you to Join Jam, complete that platform step. Event registration has already taken place separately.

3. Explain your game on the project page

• Game and team: registered team name and full names of all members. Personal professional contact details are optional. Do not identify your school before the awards ceremony.
• About the game: concept, player objective, intended experience, distinctive features, and target players.
• Theme interpretation: explain how the official theme shapes the mechanics, interactions, visual identity, or overall experience.
• How to play: setup, components, player roles, rules, turn or round flow, meaningful decisions, progression, and ending or win conditions.
• Design highlights: explain the strongest mechanics, interesting choices, balancing decisions, and what makes the game engaging.
• Credits and assets: team contributions and sources of all pre-existing or third-party assets.
• Known limitations: important prototype limitations or clarifications that help judges understand and play the game.

4. Create necessary Photos and Video about the game before handover

Take at least five genuine photographs of the finished physical prototype. Show all components, the game set up, gameplay in progress, key mechanics, and important design or art details. Show only what is present in the submitted prototype.

PHOTO REMINDER: Take your photos before handing over the box. Your itch.io project must be published and officially submitted to the jam by 4:00 PM on 24 October.

A gameplay demonstration video is optional. Include one if it helps explain player decisions, game flow, or the intended experience. Host it on any accessible platform; judges must be able to view it without requesting permission.

5. Hand over your physical game

Bring the completed, name-labelled box to the Media Studio, RMIT Saigon South Campus, between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM on 24 October. Follow onsite staff instructions and hand the box directly to authorised submission staff before 4:00 PM. Do not leave it unattended.

Venue: 702 Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard, Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The physical prototype is final at the submission deadline. Later project-page updates do not permit changes to the physical game. Photos and an online entry do not replace the physical box.

Final submission checklist

• Team-labelled box collected at the Opening Ceremony.
• Playable prototype, all components, and written rulebook packed.
• At least five photographs taken before physical handover.
• itch.io project published and officially submitted to the jam before 4:00 PM, 24 October.
• Physical box handed directly to Media Studio staff between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, 24 October.
• Optional demonstration video accessible, if included.

Judging rubric

Digital and Analog Games are assessed using the same three criteria. Judges consider how effectively the submitted game delivers its intended player experience within the constraints of a 48-hour game jam.

How quality is interpreted

• Outstanding: exceptional work with clear strengths, originality, and very few meaningful weaknesses.
• Strong: effective, coherent work with clear strengths and only minor weaknesses.
• Competent: a working, understandable experience with noticeable weaknesses or missed opportunities.
• Weak: partially successful work with significant problems that reduce the experience.
• Poor: the criterion is unclear, largely unsuccessful, or not meaningfully demonstrated.

Judge the outcome and player experience. More technology, more components, or greater production complexity do not automatically mean a stronger game. A small, complete, coherent game can outperform a larger unfinished one.

Judges assess games independently through the organisers' separate judging system. Public voting will not affect the official award result.

Rules & FAQ

• Make your game during the official 48-hour period and follow the announced theme.
• Generative AI is prohibited in submitted art, text, music and other content.
• Pre-existing assets are allowed when properly licensed and credited. State external sources and team contributions.
• One game per registered team. No new members during the jam.
• Do not identify your school or institution on your page or prototype before the awards ceremony. You may add it afterward.
• Personal professional contact information is optional. Do not publish private personal information.
• Your team retains ownership. RMIT may showcase the game and use game media for event promotion.
• Use safe materials and respect people and venue rules. Offensive or inappropriate content may be removed.

Can we prepare our itch.io page early? Yes. Enter the published project during the submission window. The game must still follow the official development-period rules.

Can Analog teams submit without a download? No digital game file is required. The physical prototype is your playable entry.

Can we update after submitting? Analog page information, photos and optional video may be refined before 9:00 AM on 25 October, subject to platform permissions. The physical prototype cannot change after 4:00 PM on 24 October. All required Digital materials are due by that 4:00 PM deadline.

Does Join Jam register our team for the event? Eligibility requires prior registration with the organisers. Joining on itch.io is a submission-platform step.