This is Sprint 1 of Climate Jam 2026.

OVERVIEW
In this sprint, you will brainstorm your concept, research your topic, and begin prototyping your core gameplay. 

By the end of Sprint 1, you should have a clear vision for what you're making and a realistic plan for completing it during Climate Jam.

Things to consider as you develop your idea:

• What is your game about?
• What is the core gameplay?
• How will players engage with it?
• What makes the project unique?
• How does it engage with the Climate Jam themes?
• What is the climate solution or call to action?
• What will the game look and feel like?
• Is the scope achievable within the jam timeline?

SPRINT 1 CHALLENGE
Create a design document describing your game concept and core mechanics. 

This document should answer some of the questions above and communicate your vision clearly. It will help you crystallize your project idea and map out the steps you'll need to take to make your game.

We've provided this Design Document Template, but you are not restricted to that specific layout. Make a design document that works for you, your team, and your project. You can even turn in your "document" as a slideshow or video.

Optional Stretch Goals:

• Have at least 3 brainstorming sessions before turning in your design document.
• Prepare a formal elevator pitch for your project. 

SCHEDULE
All dates and times listed below are in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).

• July 1: Sprint 1 Begins (10:00 AM PDT)
• July 6: Sprint 1 Submission Deadline (11:59 PM PDT)
• July 7: Review & Feedback Period

HOW TO SET UP YOUR ITCH.IO PROJECT PAGE

1. Create a new itch.io project using the following settings:
   1. Classification: Other
   2. Kind of project: Downloadable
   3. Release status: In Development
   4. Pricing: No Payments
2. Under Visibility & Access, make the project Public.
3. Add your teammates under More → Admins so they appear as Contributors and can vote on the other submissions.

Only create one project page per team.

For Sprint 1, your project page only needs:

1. A project title (which does not need to be the final name).
   
2. A team name (which does not need to be the final name).
   
3. A design document (upload a file or provide a link).
   

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR SPRINT 1 MATERIALS
Submit your Sprint 1 materials through this jam page, not the main Climate Jam page. Only submit once per team/project. 

Plan to submit early. If you experience last technical issues, or won't be able to submit before the deadline for any reason, contact the organizers in the #jam-support channel on Discord before the deadline.