Please complete the official game jam registration here and join our Discord server linked in this Google form for important updates: https://forms.gle/tx52F5gF9YJRqSGo6

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Welcome to the Noodle Goose's YOU CAN PLAY THIS GAME JAM! This is a virtual event with an optional in-person kickoff party! Our game jam focuses on developing and pitching your best game ideas. You are not required to submit a playable game prototype, though you are welcome to do so.  

The in-person portion of the event will be co-run with Games Unlocked, a build and play event where you can drop in and play games with adaptive equipment and settings, as well as build switches  for custom game controller set-ups. These switches will be donated to gamers who need them through organizations such as Sickkids and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. 

Total beginners are welcome to join our game jam and Games Unlocked; mentors will set you up on a team and provide the templates you need to organize your game ideas! We're also challenging you to design your game to be as accessible as possible, so that more people can enjoy your game.

SCHEDULE and Locations:

MAY 30TH, 12:00AM EST: Announcement of the game jam theme on Discord and Itch.io page. Participants may begin jamming until the deadline, June 12th, 2026. The game design deck submission template is posted on Discord. 

MAY 30TH, 11 AM-4 PM EST: We're host our game jam kickoff in person! If you're in the Toronto area, join us at OCAD University's Inclusive Design Research Centre located at 205 Richmond Street West, 2nd floor, for a live work period complete with free instant noodles and other refreshments!

JUNE 12TH 4:00PM  EST: The YOU CAN PLAY THIS GAME JAM ends, and judging begins.

JUNE 16TH 7:00PM EST: Results are finalized we will announce the winners at our awards show as part of Wero Creative's Seriously Fun Showcase at Danu Social House, during Toronto Games Week. Prizes to be announced via social media!

Breaking the rules can disqualify your entry and result in removal of your project from the event page. Please make sure to review the rules you submit your project.

• SUBMIT BY PDF, MAXIMUM 1000 WORDS: We ask you submit in PDF format. If you have supporting videos, please ensure they are no more than 1 minute long and ensure they are linked in your PDF submission. Please aim for clear and concise descriptions of your game

• HUMAN-MADE ART AND DESIGN We urge participants to avoid generative AI and reach out to mentors to assist them with making original human-made work. Our mentor team can help you with writing, marketing, art, sound, programming and design! 

• PRE-CREATED ASSETS/GAME ELEMENTS ARE ALLOWED This jam is meant to be creator friendly If you're using free assets (for example, offered by the Unity Store or royalty-free images), please make sure to credit them properly throughout their use.

• CREDIT: While only one person from each team is responsible to submit the project, please make sure to credit each team member on the submission. 

• KEEP IT SFW! 18+ While we understand that great narratives are often built on sensitive subject matter, games entries should be presentable to a general audience. Please, no NSFW content (excessive violence, sexual themes, nudity, etc.). If you're not sure if something is counted as NSFW, please contact the event organizers or mentors during the event. In accordance with our Discord community, you must be 18 years of age or older to register for the event! Participants under the age of 18 must register and submit collaboratively with a parent or guardian.

• INCLUDE THE JAM THEMES Do you best to incorporate the jam's theme into your game. The theme will be announced on May 30th, 2026. You are welcome to consult with mentors or other members for ideas and to get maximum points from the judging criteria! 

• DON'T SUBMIT YOUR PROEJCT TO OTHER JAMS Your project is your property, but we ask you do not submit this project to other game jams.

• MUST SUBMIT ON TO THE GAME JAM'S ITCH.IO PAGE BY DEADLINE We'll only be accepting games officially submitted to our ENTRY Jam itch page within our deadline of JUNE 12 AT 4:00 PM EST. 

Our game jam has a theme on which you should base your game. The official theme will be announced on the day of the jam live in our Discord Server. People who register for the jam will receive an invitation to the server. 

We have a secondary mini theme of "Goose". If you include a goose within your game, you will automatically gain one extra point.

Our evaluation rubric is a scored rubric of 26 points. These points are divided as follows:

• THEME (/5) : Does your game fit the theme provided by the  game jam?
• INNOVATION (/5): Is your game innovative? Does it include unique gameplay, styles, or creative elements? Are your elements original?
• GAMEPLAY DESIGN (/5): Is your gameplay smooth and easy to understand? Is your game FUN to play? Remember, accessibility counts!
• LAYOUT (/5): Does your game do a good job of arranging information and concepts within your page limits so it is easy to understand, view, and read?
• ACCESSIBILITY (/5): Is your game accessible? How? Did you clearly communicate the ways in which your team made accessibility part of the game design. 
• MASCOT USAGE (+1): Did you put a goose in your game?

Judges will be announced on Noodle Goose's social media accounts prior to the event. 

Partners and Supporters:

OCAD Inclusive Design Research Centre
Wero Creative
Unity
ASUS
XP Game  Biz
Coast to Coast ATC 
Noodle King
Inclusion Arcade
Entry Lvl
Canadian Game Awards

All of our updates will be made to our DISCORD first; that's where you can ask questions, find updates, and everything else! Follow us on INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, and LINKEDIN!