The Best Thing About Game Jams (It’s Not Winning)

The Jam That Almost Didn’t Happen

This year’s GMTK Game Jam theme was announced, the clock started ticking, and I almost sat this one out. I had other work on my plate, the usual “what if it’s rubbish?” doubts, and a bit of hesitation about trying to build something new under such a tight deadline.

But in the end, I decided to just go for it. The result? Mass Affect — a small, quirky game made in a very big weekend.

The Game

Mass Affect was my attempt to combine simple mechanics with a bit of physics-based fun. The player interacts with moving masses that affect one another, creating chain reactions and a little chaos along the way. It wasn’t the most ambitious entry in the jam — but that wasn’t the point. The point was to finish and submit something I could stand behind.

The Results

Out of 9,649 entries, my rankings were:

• Audio: #8,418

• Narrative: #8,562

• Artwork: #8,814

• Creativity: #8,963

• Enjoyment: #8,986

Yes — that’s a long way from the top spots. But here’s the thing: even in the lower half of the table, those are still solid positions when you consider the sheer volume of entries. Every single number represents a huge pool of talented developers, artists, writers, and designers — and my game was still part of that.

What I Learned

The main takeaway for me wasn’t about rankings or polish — it was about what’s possible in 72 hours when you commit to an idea and push through.

I learned that:

• Finishing is more important than perfection

• Constraints force you to focus on what matters most

• The real fun of a jam is in the making, not the scoreboard

And perhaps most importantly: a game jam is a fantastic way to experiment, learn, and grow without the usual weight of “this has to sell” hanging over your head.

Why I’m Proud

I’m proud of Mass Affect because:

• It’s a complete, playable game made in 3 days

• I experimented with ideas I wouldn’t normally try

• I took part in a community of almost 10,000 creators

• I left the weekend energised rather than burnt out

Final Thought — Your Turn

If you’ve been on the fence about joining a game jam, here’s my advice: just do it. Don’t wait until you feel “ready”, because you never will. Don’t worry about where you’ll place, because the scoreboard isn’t the point. The point is that you’ll finish the weekend with something you made — and that’s already a win.

If you happen to place highly or win, that’s a bonus. But the real reward is the experience.

#GMTKJam2025 #GameJam #IndieDev #MassAffect #SoloDev #Unity #MakingForTheFunOfIt