Game Jam Rules

Game jams are structured creative challenges designed to inspire developers, encourage collaboration, and promote innovation through themed world creation. Participants compete for rewards by building interactive, high-quality worlds within a set time frame.

Below are the official rules for participating in any Highrise game jam.

Entry Submissions

• Worlds must be created after the game jam announcement. Pre-existing worlds will be disqualified.
• Submissions must include the official game jam tag provided in the announcement. Tags should be entered without the # symbol.
• You may not submit a world that was created by someone else, purchased, or reused from prior events.
• Selling or purchasing worlds for game jam purposes is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.
• Submissions must align with the official game jam theme.
• Template-based or low-effort worlds will not be accepted. Entries must show originality, functionality, and creative intent.

Judging and Rewards

• Submissions will be locked during the judging period. You may not edit your world once judging begins.
• Worlds are judged based on:
  • Overall quality
  • Creativity and use of the theme
  • Social design and multiplayer interaction
• A tiered reward structure applies:
  • First Place: 150,000 Gold or a Unique Pet
  • Second Place: 75,000 Gold
  • Third Place: 50,000 Gold
• Gold rewards are issued to the world owner, who may distribute the prize among collaborators at their discretion.
• A participation reward is available to creators who submit a fully functional, high-effort world that meets theme and quality standards.
• Incomplete, unpolished, or off-theme entries will not be eligible for any rewards.

Timeline

• Game jams follow a published timeline:
  • Development and submission window: 2 weeks
  • Judging period: 3–5 days
  • Winners announced following judging completion
• These dates are outlined in each individual jam announcement.

Collaboration

• Teams of up to four (4) collaborators are allowed.
• All collaborators listed on a winning world will receive the associated rewards.
• Collaboration must be substantial. Uploading a world, finding assets, or contributing minimally does not qualify.
• To receive a participation reward, it is recommended that each user submit their own world.

Content Requirements

• All content must comply with the Highrise Community Guidelines.
• You may use assets, scripts, or audio you have the legal rights to use.
• Submissions must be built from scratch for the jam. Reusing existing content is not permitted.

Submission Status and Appeals

• Submission status is tracked in the official spreadsheet linked in the announcement. Status types include:
  • Under Review
  • Approved
  • Rejected (with notes)
• If your entry is approved and marked as "rewarded" but you have not received your reward within 48 hours, contact support through Discord.
• If your entry is rejected, you may submit a new version before the judging period ends or appeal via Discord under #server-support.

General Rules

• You must be 13 years or older to participate.
• Game jams must be fair and free of any cheating, scamming, or misleading practices.
• Worlds containing harassment, inappropriate content, or violations of the Highrise Community Guidelines will be disqualified.
• Purchased or sold entries are strictly prohibited and will result in permanent disqualification.

Benefits of Participating in a Game Jam

1. Skill Development: Improve your game development skills, including scripting, design, and UI.
2. Creativity: Jam themes challenge your creativity and push your design limits.
3. Networking: Collaborate with other creators and share ideas.
4. Feedback: Receive insights from both judges and the community.
5. Recognition: Build your reputation through winning and showcasing your work.
6. Prizes: Earn gold, pets, and exclusive cosmetics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit a world that I created before the game jam announcement? No. All entries must be new and created after the jam is announced.

Can I collaborate with other players on my entry? Yes, up to 4 collaborators are allowed. Only listed team members will receive rewards.

How are winners selected for the game jam? Based on quality, creativity, theme use, and social interaction design.

Can I update my world after the submission deadline? No. Worlds are locked once the judging period begins.

How are rewards distributed to winners? Gold is sent to the world owner. Pet rewards and backgrounds are assigned to eligible collaborators.

Can I give away in-world gold/items during the game jam? Yes. Giveaways are allowed and will not affect judging.

Can I participate in the game jam as a solo developer? Yes. Solo entries are welcome.

What kind of content is restricted? All entries must follow community guidelines. Inappropriate, misleading, or offensive content is not allowed.

How often are game jams held in Highrise? Typically every month. Watch Discord and the Forum for announcements.

Where can I find more information about the current game jam? Details are posted on Discord, the Forum, and the official announcement page.

How can I appeal a rejected entry? Appeals must be submitted via Discord under #server-support before the judging period ends.

What happens if I submit a purchased world for the game jam? You will be disqualified from the current jam and may be banned from future events.

Can I use pre-existing code, art, or audio assets in my entry? Yes, if you have legal rights to use them. However, the world itself must be newly created.

How can I track the status of my entry? Check the entry tracker linked in the jam announcement.