FOR JAMMERS

What is a game jam?

A game jam is a fun, fast-paced event where people come together to create games around a shared theme within a specific time limit. The games can be digital or physical, and depending on the event guidelines, made from scratch or using pre-existing assets.

What is POWER UP! Game Jam and who is it for?

POWER UP! Game Jam is an event dedicated to empowering women interested in making games and supporting their career opportunities in the game industry.

POWER UP! Game Jam is a chance to make games! Our game jam is all about women coming together to create tabletop and digital games in international teams in a genuine and authentic environment.

The event is for:

• women who are curious about tech, games and trying new things.
• women trying to find their way into the game industry
• women already established in game development
• women who want to create games as a hobby

The game jammers will have time over 4 days, including sleep, to create something new, creative, weird, experimental or personal. The goal is to try things out, connect with others, and enjoy making something playable by the end of the jam. Before the game jam event weekend there will be webinars and workshops providing an introduction and deeper insight into game development. During the game jam mentors will share their expertise to empower the participants in making their games.

POWER UP! Game Jam offers a creative space for networking, skill-building, and international collaboration by welcoming both aspiring newcomers and established professionals.

Who Can Join?

• Women aged 18 years or older. The event is strictly R18.
• Women can join as an individual, with a team or assemble one through our Discord server.
• Women of all skill levels and from any industry are welcome.
• Game Jammers can participate from any country.

We hope that POWER UP! is a way for women game developers or those who are interested in starting their game development journey to get inspired and feel like they are a part of a bigger community.

Anyone interested in making positive social change through game development is welcomed to support this event and check all the different ways to get involved. Check Get involved

How It Works

More detailed guidelines will be provided to registered jammers closer to the event.
Read about our Code of Conduct here.

• POWER UP! is a free-to-join event for all participants.
• The game jam is fully online. All communications and updates will happen via the POWER UP! Discord server. You will get access to it after registering.
• All forms of digital and analog games are accepted. Analog games need digital documentation/version to be submitted for sharing purposes.
• All participants must register before the event.
• The jam runs over 4 days to cover the weekend across all time zones.
• Registered game jammers will get access to webinars, workshops and mentorship during the event.
• You can:
  • Jam solo,
  • Join with an existing team, or
  • Find international teammates via our Discord community.
• There are no size limit for teams.
• The game jam is non-competitive and there are no cash prizes.
• You can start something new or work on a personal project. Just make sure what you’re doing fits the spirit and announced theme of POWER UP!

Here’s what to expect:

• A supportive and inclusive environment
• The opportunity to meet new collaborators and to form a team
• Webinars and guidance to help you prepare
• A fun weekend creating a playable game
• Showcasing your work in our online wrap-up event

Game submission

Detailed instructions will be provided to registered jammers closer to the event.

• All games must be submitted before the deadline based on the instructions you receive after registering.
• Submitted games will be made public and showcased on our website.
• Your name (nicknames allowed) and/or team name will be credited. Your work may be featured in our communications and social media.
• You may receive feedback from organisers, mentors and fellow jammers.

Why Power Up! Exists

We hope that POWER UP! is a way for women game developers or women who are interested in starting their game development journey to get inspired and feel like they are a part of a bigger community. 

POWER UP! is not a competition. We don’t award prizes or chase high scores. Our mission is to:

• Encourage creativity and experimentation

• Promote professional development

• Celebrate community, learning and fun

• Make space for voices and creators that are often left out of traditional game spaces

• Keep participation free and accessible

We’re here for the ideas and the impact, especially, when games are used to imagine positive futures, explore new stories or create change.