CrazyGames x GameMaker Web Jam’s Guide

Welcome to CrazyGames x GameMaker Web Jam, Jammers!

We have created this guide to help you during the event. Feel free to review it as many times as necessary! Our summary is linked to the topics, so you can just click whatever you need to know more about and it’ll redirect you straight to it!

Terms and Rules of Participation

Important Information and Dates

Tips and Tricks

About the Game Submission

Evaluation

Awards

Talk to Our Team

Get ready for four days of creativity, collaboration, and game development! The CrazyGames x GameMaker Web Jam is a unique opportunity for indie developers, hobbyists, and professionals to come together and create amazing web games. Whether you’re a seasoned game designer or just starting your journey, this jam offers an immersive experience focused on innovation, fun, and the business of gaming.

Our goal is to grow the creative economy by fostering new talent, discovering innovative games, and supporting studios with fresh ideas. Over the course of the jam, you’ll not only build a game from scratch but also have the chance to connect with mentors, engage with fellow developers, and compete for cash prizes, GameMaker licenses, and publishing opportunities.

This jam is your chance to dive into the powerful GameMaker engine and discover what makes it perfect for creating high-quality web games. With GameMaker’s streamlined workflow, intuitive interface, and extensive asset library, you’ll be ready to prototype and polish your project fast. Showcase your game to millions on the CrazyGames platform and help shine a spotlight on the growing web games market.

Join us for this exciting journey where creativity meets opportunity. The theme announcement will be made on the jam website, Discord, and via email on September 18th, 2025 at 4:00 PM CEST.

About CrazyGames

CrazyGames is a leading online platform for web-based games, reaching more than 40 million monthly players worldwide. We support developers by providing a global stage to showcase their creativity and offering tools to help them succeed through our developer portal.

In 2025, we’re thrilled to partner with GameMaker, a versatile and beginner-friendly engine, to bring innovative web games to life during the CrazyGames x GameMaker Web Jam. Together, we’re empowering developers to create polished, creative, and highly playable web games with GameMaker’s intuitive interface, powerful features, and cross-platform capabilities. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned developer, this jam is your chance to shine on one of the world’s largest gaming platforms.

Thanks for being here. Now, let’s make gaming a little crazier together!

– The CrazyGames Team

Terms and Rules of Participation

Be sure to check the following instructions and rules related to the event! The following topics describe what we expect from you and your team during the competition.

The Teams and Participants:

  1. Follow all Game Jam rules and guidelines.
  2. Respecting mentors, participants, and organizers is mandatory. Behaviors understood as acts of discrimination regarding gender, color, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion, among other things will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification from the Event. Report any misconduct to the organizers immediately.
  3. Every participant must register on the main Organizers platform, registration for the Event is free of charge.
  4. To participate in the event, every participant must register on the main Organizers platform.
  5. For the submission, it is mandatory to select a person responsible for representing the team. 
  6. CrazyGames prizes will be awarded to the designated team representative, who will be responsible for distributing them among team members. GameMaker prizes will be granted individually to each member of the winning teams. The organizers are not liable for any disputes regarding the distribution of CrazyGames prizes within teams.
  7. Open to individuals, indie teams, and established companies.
  8. Teams may have a maximum of 6 members. You can work alone or collaborate with others, but once the game is submitted, team composition can no longer be changed. Each participant may be part of only one team for the final submission—anyone appearing on more than one team will be disqualified.
  9. All intellectual property rights to the game remain with the team. The organizers will not claim ownership of your game but may use it for promotional purposes related to the event.

The Game:

  1. All submissions must be developed using GameMaker Engine. This is a core requirement for participation in the CrazyGames x GameMaker Web Jam.
  2. Games must be developed exclusively and entirely during the Event period, and Games may be disqualified at any time if premature development is suspected.
  3. The game needs to comply with all legal and ethical standards.
  4.  The Organizers will not be responsible for technical problems that arise during the Event. 
  5. A submission will be considered valid only if it meets the following requirements: (“Valid Project”):
    1. The Game must adhere to the Terms and Conditions and the Guidelines;
    2. The Game must be delivered within the deadlines as communicated by the Organizers;
    3. The Game must have a game build submitted to the CrazyGames developers portal;
    4. The Game must have a game build submitted to Indie Hero form;
    5. The participant must complete the submission with all required info regarding the Game. 
    6. The game is suitable for players aged 12+ and suits the PEGI 12 label criteria. 
    7. The initial game size should be under 50 MB and the final size should not exceed 250 MB.
  6.  The game must adhere to the theme announced at the beginning of the Jam.
  7.  Developers and teams can submit the game to CrazyGames, but participation in the jam does not guarantee publication.
  8.  The organizers will not assume responsibility for the legality of the materials used in the games or the software used by the participants to create them.
    1. The Organizers will also not be responsible for losses resulting from participants’ use of illegal software or material during the Event.
  9.  The Organizers have the right to disqualify a Game and the participants who created it, especially if the content presented in it violates (a) the law, (b) another person’s property rights, (c) fair practice or (d) is inconsistent with Organizer’s values and/or Guidelines.
  10.  It is prohibited to implement codes or algorithms in the Game that are potentially harmful, invasive, or intended to damage or hijack the operation of, or to monitor the use of, any hardware, software or equipment on which the Game is launched.
  11.  Accept the terms and conditions when submitting the game to CrazyGames.
  12. Submission of the game is mandatory.

Important Information and Dates

  • It’s important to keep in mind that all times and dates in this guide are based on the CEST time zone.
  • The deadline for submitting the game in the official submission form is Sunday, September 21st, at 11:59 PM CEST.
  • To be considered valid, the game link must be submitted through the official submission form before the deadline.
  • We will have mentors available throughout CrazyGames X GameMaker Web Jam on our Discord server to help you with any questions you may have.

How to participate

  1. Register: Sign up for free via this form.
  2. Join our Discord: it is not mandatory, but we will have a space for participants there.
  3. Develop: Build your web game during the exclusive development period: (Thursday, September 18th, to Sunday, September 21st, 2025).
  4. Submit for CrazyGames: Upload your game to the CrazyGames developer portal.
  5. Submit for Indie Hero: After submitting your game to CrazyGames, grab the link and submit it to the Indie Hero form by Sunday, September 21st, 2025, at 11:59 PM CEST.

Event Roadmap

  1. Registration
    1. Opens on August 20th, 2025, at 9:00 AM CEST
    2. Closes on September 21st, 2025, at 11:59 PM CEST

       

  2. Game Jam
    1. Starts September 18th, 2025, at 4:00 PM CEST
    2. Ends on September 21st, 2025, at 11:59 PM CEST

       

  3. Judging Period Jam
    1. Starts September 22nd, 2025
    2. Ends October 13th, 2025

       

  4. The Announcement
    1. On October 14th, 2025
  1.  

Theme

The theme will be released on September 18th at 4:00 PM CEST.

TIPS AND TRICKS

How to be successful on CrazyGames x GameMaker Web Jam

To stand out on CrazyGames x GameMaker Web Jam, creating an engaging and enjoyable player experience is essential. Here are key factors that contribute to the success of games on our platform:

  1. High Retention: Games that keep players coming back for more are the most successful. Focus on fun gameplay mechanics, clear progression, and a rewarding experience to maintain a high session rate.
  2. Fast Load Times: Web-based games need to load quickly to retain players. Optimize your game’s performance to ensure fast load times, particularly in browsers.
  3. Simple and Intuitive Controls: Games with straightforward and easy-to-learn controls are more likely to succeed. Avoid complexity that could frustrate players early on.
  4. Engaging Visuals and Audio: Visually appealing graphics and well-integrated audio can elevate a game’s experience. Focus on creating a cohesive style that draws players in.
  5. Polish and Bug-Free: Ensure your game is polished, has smooth performance, and has no major bugs. A well-tested game that runs smoothly will perform better and attract positive player reviews.
  6. Replayability: Games with replay value, such as leaderboards, unlockable content, or endless levels, tend to perform better by encouraging players to come back for more.

Getting Started with GameMaker

GameMaker is a versatile, beginner-friendly, and powerful game engine, perfect for creating polished web-based games quickly.

Below are essential resources to help you kickstart your project during the jam:

  1. First Steps with GameMaker: Learn how to create and structure your project in this starter tutorial.

  2. Tutorial for Beginners: New to GameMaker? These beginner-friendly tutorials will guide you through core game mechanics. Perfect for building your jam prototype fast:
    1. Arcade Space Shooter Game: A step-by-step tutorial to build your own Arcade Space Shooter.
    2. RPG Game: Watch and code along with this tutorial. 

  3. Advanced Learning & Examples: Ready to go beyond the basics? These advanced resources and ready-to-use examples will help you polish your game and implement complex features:
    1. Add Multiplayer to your game: Explore how to add multiplayer to an existing game In GameMaker for an Intermediate skill level.
    2. Platformer Game: Delve into the creation of a rich platformer game.. 

  4. Learning Materials:
    1. Check the GameMaker Manual.
    2. Multiple tutorials available here.
    3. More video tutorials on GameMaker official YoutTube channel

  5. Join the GameMaker Community: 
    1. GameMaker Discord server: ttps://discord.com/invite/gamemaker
    2. GameMaker help center: https://gamemaker.zendesk.com/hc/en-us 

  6. Check your progress at Crazy Games
    1. Follow the submission steps;
    2. Quick tip! Make sure to set your project to a 16:9 aspect ratio, which matches the CrazyGames game frame size. More info here. It’s not a rule, but it’s a strong recommendation from the CrazyGames Team to ensure your game displays perfectly.

About the Game Submission

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute!

To ensure a smooth submission process and avoid last-minute stress, start uploading your build as soon as possible and update it regularly.

Remember: A polished game takes time. Submitting early gives you the best chance to showcase your work at its full potential!

How to submit your jam game to CrazyGames

Step by step:

  • Create/log in to your CrazyGames account via the CG developers portal.
  • Upload your game files.

     

Important:

  • You don’t need to include the CrazyGames SDK in your game jam submission. 
  • Your game jam submission will not be published on CrazyGames.
    • However, our team is always looking for great games, and if we determine that your game has commercial potential, we will contact you with further instructions.

       

While the process should be straightforward, we’ve also prepared a video tutorial to guide you through each step in case you need assistance:

How to submit your jam game to Indie Hero

Fill in the required information on the Indie Hero submission form, including your name, email, team details, and play link (available once a game is uploaded to CrazyGames).

Evaluation

Games will be judged based on the following Evaluation Criteria:

  1. Onboarding
    How easy is it for a new player to understand and start playing your game? A clear tutorial or intuitive first experience is essential.

  2. Controls
    Are the controls responsive, intuitive, and well-mapped for web gameplay? Good control design enhances overall playability.

  3. Graphics
    Visual quality and style. Does your game have a consistent and appealing art direction that fits the genre and enhances the player experience?

  4. Depth / Replayability
    Does your game offer meaningful content that encourages players to come back? Features like progression systems, variety, and multiple playstyles improve replay value.

  5. Commercial Potential
    How well does the game balance monetization (e.g., rewarded ads, in-app purchases) and replayability to support long-term revenue without disrupting the player experience?

  6. Originality
    Is your game concept unique, creative, or different from what’s already out there? Fresh mechanics and ideas score higher.

  7. Adherence to Theme
    How effectively does your game reflect and incorporate the theme announced at the beginning of the jam?

  8. Sound
    Quality of audio design, including music, sound effects, and overall audio integration. Does it enhance the atmosphere and gameplay?

Awards

* Publishing Bonus: Fixed fees plus revenue-sharing agreements for publishing winning games on CrazyGames.

GameMaker Prizes

  • One year of GameMaker Enterprise Licenses awarded to the top 5 winning teams.

Notes on Agreement Bonus:

  • Launch and Payment: The Publishing Bonus amount will only be paid when the game is launched on CrazyGames.
  • Intellectual Property: The game’s intellectual property (IP) remains with the developer in all cases.
  • Exclusivity: If your game is chosen for publication by the CrazyGames team, the web version will remain exclusive to CrazyGames for a set period. However, you are free to release or port the game to non-web platforms independently during this time.
    • Accepting the Publishing Bonus is optional. However, declining the deal will also mean forfeiting any associated prizes.
  • Revenue Share: Once costs are recouped, developers will receive 60% of the in-game advertising revenue generated, with CrazyGames receiving 40%. For in-app purchases (IAP), the revenue share after recoup is 70% to the developer and 30% to CrazyGames.

Talk to our Team

You can reach us through the following contacts:

  • Discord roles to tag: Indie Hero Team, CrazyGames Team

For more information and support, join our Jam Discord community
or send your question by e-mail support@gamejamplus.com.

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