Your Complete Participant Guide for a Game Jam

Game jams are fast-paced, creative marathons and with hyperPad , you can build and submit a complete game directly from your iPad.

Join the Code for a Cause x Micro Jam – Charity Jam or warm up with our bi-monthly hyperPad Game Jam Challenge , this guide will help you understand the jam process, prep effectively, and make your project stand out.

💛 Code for a Cause x Micro Jam – Charity Jam Competition

This special jam brings together creativity and purpose. In collaboration with Code for a Cause , each micro jam supports a nonprofit organization by raising awareness or driving donations through the power of games.

🔹 Details:

• Duration: 48–72 hours

• Theme: Announced at the jam kickoff

• Submission: Upload your game to the hyperPad Hub

• Prizes: Recognition, featured badges, and donations made in the winners’ names

• Who Can Join: Anyone with a creative spark and an iPad

💡 Perfect for:

• Developers who want their games to support a real-world cause

• Creators who enjoy storytelling or experimental game mechanics

• Anyone looking for a short, high-impact creative challenge

🎯 The hyperPad Game Jam Challenge

Held every two months, this recurring jam is ideal for refining your workflow and testing your skills in a fun, low-pressure environment. It’s also a great way to prepare for the Micro Jam.

🔹 Details:

• Duration: 72 hours (Friday to Sunday)

• Theme: Announced at jam start

• Submission: Upload to the hyperPad Hub

• Optional Polish Week: Improve visuals, sound, or bugs post-jam

💡 Great for:

• First-time jammers

• Solo creators or small teams (up to 3)

• Users who want consistent creative prompts and practice

🛠️ What to Expect During a Game Jam

You're participating in the Micro Jam or Challenge Jam, the general structure is similar:

📅 Day 1 – Kickoff

• Theme revealed on Discord, social media, and inside hyperPad

• Optional intro message from the team

• Begin brainstorming and building your core game idea

📅 Day 2 – Momentum

• Mid-jam check-in posts to keep motivation high

• Share progress on Discord or social platforms

• Get feedback and encouragement from the community

📅 Final Day – Submission

• Upload your finished build to the hyperPad Hub

• Add a gameplay clip or trailer (optional but highly recommended)

• Submit before the deadline shared

• Optional polish week for Game Jam Challenge entries

🧰 How to Prepare Like a Pro

Make your jam experience smoother with a bit of preparation:

• Set up a hyperPad project template (we often share one pre-jam!)

• Join our Discord server to get updates, share progress, and meet other devs

• Practice exporting gameplay clips to showcase your work

• Read the judging criteria : creativity, polish, and gameplay

• Know your local times for the theme reveal and final deadline

✨ Tips to Succeed During the Micro Jam

• Start small: A simple, playable game is better than an ambitious unfinished one

• Focus on the message: For the Micro Jam, think about how your game supports the cause

• Use templates or built-in assets to save time

• Document your journey: Screenshots or timelapse clips are great for post-jam promotion

• Ask for help: Our Discord jam thread is active throughout the event

• Enjoy the process: These jams are meant to inspire and connect—not stress you out

🏆 After the Jam

Once submissions close, we celebrate your hard work with:

• A featured showcase on the hyperPad Hub

• A recap post or highlight video on our channels

• Shoutouts for creative mechanics, fun moments, and standout entries

For the Micro Jam, winners may also receive:

• Recognition from Code for a Cause

• Badges and profile shoutouts

• Donations made in your name to the featured nonprofit

📣 Stay Connected

• Follow us on Instagram , X (Twitter), and YouTube

• Join the hyperPad Discord to get jam updates and chat with the community

• Subscribe to our newsletter for future jam dates, dev resources, and behind-the-scenes news

Join these fun game jams!

The Code for a Cause x Micro Jam is more than just a competition, it’s a chance to build a game that makes a difference. And the hyperPad Game Jam Challenge is your perfect sandbox game jam to experiment, grow, and get jam-ready.

No coding required. No laptop needed.

‍ Just your iPad and your imagination. We can’t wait to see what you create.