Your Complete Participant Guide for a Game Jam

Game jams are fast, creative marathons. With hyperPad, you can build and submit a complete game right from your iPad.

You can join the Code for a Cause x Micro Jam: Charity Jam, or warm up with our bi-monthly hyperPad Game Jam Challenge. This guide walks you through the jam process, how to prepare, and how to make your project stand out.

Code for a Cause x Micro Jam: Charity Jam Competition

This special jam puts your creativity toward a cause. In collaboration with Code for a Cause, each micro jam supports a nonprofit organization by raising awareness or driving donations through games.

Details:

• Duration: 48–72 hours

• Theme: Announced at the jam kickoff

• Submission: Publish 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

Good for:

• Creators 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

This recurring jam runs every two months. It’s a fun, low-pressure way to refine your workflow and test your skills, and a good way to prepare for the Micro Jam.

Details:

• Duration: 72 hours (Friday to Sunday)

• Theme: Announced at jam start

• Submission: Publish to the hyperPad Hub

• Optional polish week: Improve visuals and sound, or fix bugs, after the jam

Great for:

• First-time jammers

• Solo creators or small teams (up to 3)

• Creators who want regular creative prompts and practice

What to Expect During a Game Jam

Whether you’re in the Micro Jam or the Challenge Jam, the structure is similar:

Day 1: Kickoff

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

• Optional intro message from the team

• Start 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

• Publish your finished game to the hyperPad Hub

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

• Submit before the posted deadline

• Optional polish week for Game Jam Challenge entries

How to Prepare Like a Pro

A bit of preparation makes your jam go smoother:

• Set up a hyperPad project template (we often share one before the jam!)

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

• Practice recording gameplay clips to show off 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 beats 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 you and connect you with other creators. They shouldn’t 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, creator resources, and behind-the-scenes news

Join a Game Jam

The Code for a Cause x Micro Jam is your chance to build a game that makes a difference. The hyperPad Game Jam Challenge is a low-pressure sandbox where you can experiment, grow, and get jam-ready.

You can build your whole entry on your iPad, without writing code or opening a laptop. We can’t wait to see what you create.