Do I have to work the whole time? No, of course not! These time frames are longer than we expect you to work on the game, just to allow for a variety of schedules. We’d recommend anywhere between 8-16 hours a week per jam session, but whatever you have time for, you do you!
Can I work in teams? Of course, we’d recommend it! During the week before the jam starts there will be teambuilding on IndieCade's Discord server.
Can I start working on X part of the project before the listed time frame? We’d recommend you spend the time developing the game per the schedule provided, but we won’t require you to stay on our recommended schedule. As long as you start with the opening of the jam and submit with the milestone jams, you can be malleable with your changes of production.
Is there a theme? This year's primary theme is Natural and unNatural Disasters. More details coming soon.
Can I make a physical game? Yeah! Absolutely, we love board / card/ tabletop games and this would be the perfect scope to make a first version.
Am I required to sell my game after, or can it still be free? You can put it up for free, but we'd love to see you add a suggested price tag! Your work is amazing and you deserve it. Also, some of the teams will be invited to combine their games in a Climate Solutions Anthology project to be shared on Steam. More details coming soon.
Can I work on a game I previously made, or am currently in the middle of developing? We ask that you not use the jam as a continuation of a previous project. You may take a new approach on the idea of a previous game of yours, but the whole process from concept to completion should be new.
Why 'Greenlight'? We have seen that the games coming out of Climate Jam have incredibly important messages and innovations in approaching climate solutions. We opted to use our Greenlight Jam format for multiple reasons, one is to allow a production path that will provide more depth and more support in the creation work, and the second to enable jam participants to have prototypes or small games that have the potential to get to the next level and a broader audience.
What is the Climate Solutions Anthology? Every year, Climate Jam participants create meaningful and informative games related to the challenges of our changing planet. This year, we plan to select some of those games and incorporate them into a single project that can be listed and sold on Steam, including being highlighted at future IndieCade Steam events. Inclusion of your game is voluntary. More details about qualifying for the anthology will be provided closer to the jam.
What is IndieCade Horizons? IndieCade Horizons is an original online event showcasing & supporting new work and talent emerging from game design programs. Horizons connects diverse and highly qualified students and faculty with one another, industry representatives, and to a worldwide community. Climate Jam 2025 is incorporated into the IndieCade Horizons summer game design internship program.
Do I need to be part of IndieCade Horizons participate in this jam? Jam participation is open to anyone and everyone! You do not need to be an IndieCade Horizons intern to participate in this jam and Horizons involvement does not affect rating and ranking for the final submitted projects.