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.
