thatgamejam #02 2026 by thatgamecompany

thatgamejam #02 is the second online game jam hosted by thatgamecompany on itch.io. The studio calls it a gentle space for developers of all backgrounds to explore play. It is looking for games that carry real emotion and that players of all ages can enjoy.

Five cash prizes are on offer. Best Overall wins USD 3,000. Best Gameplay, Best Visual Design and Community's Voice win USD 2,000 each. TapTap's Choice wins USD 1,000. Community's Voice goes to the game rated highest by itch.io users, and only itch.io entries take part in that vote.

You can enter alone or in a team of up to five people. Games must use English as the default language and come with a build that runs on Windows or Mac. Any engine is allowed, but games made inside other games, such as Roblox or Dreams, are not accepted. Developers in China who cannot reach itch.io can submit through the TapTap jam page, with the same dates and rules.

The theme is a piece of music that will be revealed when the jam begins. Submissions open on 24 October 2026 at 00:00 PT and close on 7 November 2026 at 23:59 PT. Community voting runs from 8 November to 11 December, and winners are announced on 22 December 2026.

Judges look at overall quality, creativity and playability, at gameplay design and at visual style. Creators keep the copyright of their games, but agree that thatgamecompany can show them on its websites and at events.

Quick answers

Does my game have to be a music or rhythm game?

No. The theme is a piece of music revealed when the jam starts, but any genre is welcome. You do not need to put the track in your game.

Can I submit an existing project?

No. Each jam has its own theme, and you are asked to build something new around it.

Can I use AI in my game?

Yes, but you must say so in your game description and explain what was made with AI. Games that do not disclose it are disqualified.