Game Jam - TantraFiesta 2026

Overview: The event is organized as a flagship competition of TantraFiesta 2026, the annual technical fest of IIIT Nagpur and one of the largest tech fests in Central India. It brings together game developers, designers, and innovators from across the country to showcase their talent. Registration Deadline: 5th October 2026 Online Round: 25th September 2026 – 5th October 2026 Finale Dates: 23rd October 2026 – 24th October 2026 Theme: Will be announced when the Jam begins (25th September). Eligibility Criteria: The event is open to all students studying at any college/university. Timeline: Online Round: 25th September 2026 – 5th October 2026 Offline Round: 23rd and 24th October 2026 Game Jam Rules and Guidelines: Participants: The event is open to all students from any college or university. Inter-college/inter-university teams are allowed. There is no limit on the number of teams per college. Team size can range from 1 to 4 members. One participant can only participate in one team. Game Jam Format: The competition consists of two rounds: Online (Round 1) and Offline Finale (Round 2). You will receive the link to access the Game Jam through the email address you provided during registration. Alternatively, the link can be accessed through the Jam community WhatsApp group . The top 16 shortlisted teams from Round 1 will be invited for the Finals at the IIIT Nagpur campus. The Round 2 theme will be revealed on the day of commencement of Round 2. Game Parameters: Any game engine is allowed. The game should run standalone without requiring participants to download any external software. The game must be playable using only keyboard and mouse controls (for web or PC builds) or touch controls (for Android builds). The game must be published and submitted through the itch.io page and must comply with the submission criteria below. The game can be distributed to the audience without violating any licensing or terms and conditions of the game engine or the assets used. The game must not be a copy of any existing game; it should be unique. Participants are required to share the source code of their game through a Git repository. Judges' Decisions: Decisions of the judges and organizers are final and binding. Any public/free-to-use resource must be credited. The use of pirated assets and content will lead to disqualification. Asset Usage: Participants are allowed to use individual assets, provided they have the legal rights/licenses to use them. The use of full scenes or pre-made game prefabs is not allowed. For detailed guidelines, participants can contact the coordinators. The use of Generative AI is NOT allowed. All external assets MUST be credited properly. Finals (at IIITN Campus): The candidates will be given 24 hours to work on and perform the required modifications to their game. Number of participating finalists: 16 teams. All finalist teams must reach the IIITN campus on or before the reporting time, i.e., 9 AM on 23rd October 2026. In case of arrival before 23rd October, finalists must either arrange their own accommodation or contact the organizers for accommodation in the Guest House (charges apply). Note: All participants are required to bring their own laptop/setup for the final round. Judgment Parameters (Round 1): Games will be evaluated based on the following parameters: Theme Adherance. Gameplay & Mechanics. Innovation & Creativity. Aesthetics. (Arts & Visuals) Sounds & Music. Enjoyment factor. The candidates will be informed of the results through the official TantraFiesta/Dimensions email on their registered email address, as well as through the WhatsApp group. Join the WhatsApp Group After Registering: https://chat.whatsapp.com/G5h3SNNn1qz7szH2faH7FI  Judgment Parameters (Final Round): Will be announced on the day of the event. Submission Criteria: Submission Process: The first submission stage is online, where participants submit their game through the official Game Jam portal - itch.io/jam/tf-iiitn-game-jam-2026 Games must be submitted within the event's designated duration. The submission process requires documentation, including credits, assets, and the compiled game. Please upload a Git repository link that includes all the necessary game files. Shortlisted teams from Round 1 will be invited for the final round at the IIIT Nagpur campus. Participation in the offline round is mandatory to be eligible for prizes. Submission Format: The submitted game must be set as free so the judges can play and evaluate it. The entry will be considered invalid if the participant has not registered on Unstop. Game Overview: Provide a concise and engaging overview of your game, including its title, genre, and a brief description of the gameplay. Game Art and Graphics: Include screenshots, concept art, or gameplay videos to showcase the visual aspects of your game. Highlight any distinctive art style or design elements. Story and Narrative (If Applicable): If your game has a storyline or narrative, provide a brief synopsis without any spoilers. Controls and User Interface: Explain the control scheme for your game. Showcase the user interface and any innovative or user-friendly design elements. Technical Details: Provide technical information about the game engine, tools, and technologies used in development. Mention any performance optimizations and stability measures.