Tiny beings. Enchanted lands. Unexpected stakes. Welcome to a Game Jam where imagination thrives in colorful corners, and the smallest worlds can spark the grandest adventures. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned creator, this is your chance to dive into a playful universe filled with charm, curiosity, and just a dash of chaos.

No coding skills? No worries! With The Sandbox’s no-code Game Maker, anyone can build a world, tell a story, or spark a movement. Let your creativity loose in a landscape where fantasy meets purpose, and the line between adorable and profound is thinner than ever.

Little Lands

Picture a peaceful meadow where harmony reigns until one forgotten gadget throws the ecosystem off balance. Or perhaps a game that follows a heroic Smurf or a couple of curious Teletubbies.

Each game you build can hide layers of meaning beneath the surface. Because even the most innocent landscapes can face dilemmas that challenge their very core, and only the players can make things right.

Are you ready to build something small… that says something big?

⏰Don’t wait - REGISTER HERE NOW and start your creation today!

Don’t worry if you've never built a game before, we’ll support you every step of the way with workshops, resources, and community help.

We recommend that you start with our quick beginner video tutorials for Game Maker to get familiar with key concepts! 

(!) The event is online.

Legal notice: Teletubbies™©WildBrain. Licensed by WildBrain. Used with permission.

UPDATE: Theme Reveal — “Small Worlds, High Stakes”

Create a game where small-scale adventures carry epic consequences!

In the whimsical universes of The Smurfs and Teletubbies, things may seem peaceful, joyful, and tiny. But don’t be fooled: behind the giggles and colorful landscapes lie big challenges that demand clever minds and brave hearts.

This is your chance to build a game where even miniature worlds are faced with enormous consequences. Will a forgotten invention throw a Smurf village into disarray? Could a strange weather glitch in Teletubbyland spiral into a cosmic mystery?

In Small Worlds, High Stakes, every detail matters.

IP restrictions

If you are creating in the world of one of our partner IPs, you must comply to the rules below. Failing to comply might cause your submission to be eliminated.

You may choose to be inspired by either Teletubbies or Smurfs. You may not combine the two.

For further legal guidelines on IP rights and compliance, please also read “Important Rules.”

Teletubbies:

• No Death: Players can lose hit points during gameplay, but this must never imply death.
• Zero-HP Feedback. When a character’s HP reaches zero, avoid any “death-like” effects (like the Avatar flashing in red).
• No Hazardous Mechanics: Remove all mechanics or visuals that suggest danger or injury 
• Respectful Interactions Only: Exclude any gameplay or narrative elements that could be perceived as aggression, disrespect, or violation of personal boundaries. 
• Character Integrity Protection: Ensure that no visual, gameplay, or story element places Teletubbies (or any characters) in a compromising or undignified situation.

Smurf:

• No original stories: The experience can’t add new narrative elements other than existing ones. It’s better NOT to focus on narrative elements.

REGISTER HERE  and start building tiny worlds with mighty challenges!

Prizes 🏆

You stand a chance at a share of 100,000 SAND, 20 LANDs, and exclusive CATALYST Packs! Additionally, the first 100 valid entries are rewarded a participation prize of 100 SAND each (conditions apply)!

Top Prizes:

🥇 1st Place: 18,000 SAND + 1x1 LAND + Gold CATALYST Pack

🥈 2nd Place: 14,000 SAND + 1x1 LAND + Silver CATALYST Pack

🥉 3rd Place: 10,000 SAND + 1x1 LAND + Silver CATALYST Pack

🎖️ 4th Place: 8,000 SAND + 1x1 LAND + Silver CATALYST Pack

🎖️ 5th Place: 6,000 SAND + 1x1 LAND + Silver CATALYST Pack

🎖️ 6th–10th Place: 4,000 SAND + 1x1 LAND + Bronze CATALYST Pack

🌟 Honorable Mentions (up to 10): 2,000 SAND + 1x1 LAND

🎉IP Special Prize:

Smurfs will select games to be featured on their official LAND!

An additional 2,000 SAND will be offered for each entry they choose to publish on their estate. 

*Please note that rules & conditions apply to receive prizes and rewards in Game Jams. Learn more under “⚠️Important Rules!”

Key Dates 🗓️

🗓️ August 8: Registrations Open

🗓️ August 13: Game Jam Kick-Off AMA & Theme Reveal — 1:00 PM UTC

🗓️ August 14: Live Workshop — 7:30 AM UTC

🗓️ August 19: Registrations Close — 11:59 PM UTC

🗓️ September 3: Submission Deadline — 4:00 PM UTC

🏆September 20: Live Awards Ceremony on Twitch — 6:00 PM UTC

Checklist: Get Started with Game Jams

Follow these steps to prepare for the Game Jam:

• ☑️ Create your The Sandbox account
• ☑️ Download the no-code Game Maker tool to start building your game
• ☑️ Jump start with our One-hour Beginner Game Maker video tutorials.
• ☑️ Download VoxEdit to create custom assets (optional)
• ☑️ Join the Creators Forum for updates and support
• ☑️ Register for the Game Jam
• ☑️ Check your email for Game Jam Kick-Off details
• ☑️ Remember to look at the Resources section below to learn more about being a creator in The Sandbox
• ☑️ Plan and build your game with our Production Guide 
• ☑️ Submit your game before the deadline using the submission form, which will be sent to you via email 

Don’t Miss the Live Awards Ceremony!

Join us on September 20 at 7:00 p.m. UTC on Twitch to celebrate the winners and take part in exciting giveaways!

Missed the ceremony? Don’t worry, winners will also be announced on Twitter/X. 

For updates and announcements related to Game Jams and other creator contests, join our Creators Forum.

Why Participate in The Sandbox Game Jams?

The Sandbox is a vibrant ecosystem where creators and brands collaborate to build the future of gaming. Whether you're dreaming of launching your own game franchise or collaborating with iconic brands like Blond:ish, Atari, Ubisoft, and more, there’s a place for you here!

Why you should join:

• Exciting Prizes: Win SAND, LAND, publishing opportunities, and recognition within our global community.
• Gain Exposure: Share your game development skills, become a recognized creator, and receive feedback from players and industry experts.
• Build Your Portfolio: Game Jams are an excellent way to rapidly create and showcase your work.
• Improve Your Skills: Experiment, grow, and refine your game-making abilities with The Sandbox’s easy-to-use tools.
• Join the Community: Connect with fellow creators, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects in a supportive and passionate community.

Explore our Map here!

Important Rules ⚠️

Before submitting, make sure you’ve read all the rules to ensure your game is eligible for prizes. By following these guidelines, you’ll avoid issues that could affect your game’s chances of winning!

• Game Maker Version: Use the version available on kick-off day. Updating could introduce bugs that affect your score. 
• Creation Date: Your game must be created after the kick-off date.
• Size Limitation: Your game must not exceed 1x1 LAND in size.
• Multiple Entries: If you submit more than one entry, only your highest-ranked entry will be eligible for prizes.
• KYC Requirement: Complete KYC verification to receive prizes. Failing to meet these conditions may result in ineligibility for prizes.

For full rules, see our Official Game Jam Rules.

Rules & Conditions — Prizes & Rewards

To qualify for participation rewards, please ensure you follow these key conditions:

• You must submit a valid entry through the submission form sent to you by email.
• Spam entries will be disqualified at the discretion of The Sandbox staff.
• The Top 10 and Honorable Mentions are not eligible for participation rewards.
• If you submit multiple entries, you will only receive participation rewards for one.
• KYC verification is required to receive SAND, LAND, CATALYSTs, and other prizes.
• Teams submitting multiple entries in the Top 10 will only have their highest-ranked entry counted for prizes, but other entries may be eligible for Honorable Mention.
• You must publish your game’s experience page before the award ceremony.

Important: Failing to fulfill these conditions will make you ineligible for prizes and rewards.

For a full list of rules and conditions, please refer to our Official Game Jam Rules.

Legal & Brand Compliance Guidelines

• IP Use & Ownership: All elements from the user-generated content inspired by the participating intellectual properties remain the sole property of the respective rights holders. No rights are transferred. There will be no commercialization whatsoever, and creators may not commercialize, mint, or distribute their creations. Participants sole right is to upload their user-generated content as part of the Game Jam. This Game Jam does not include any NFT elements, aside from the non-branded in-game prizes that may be awarded.
• Approval & Takedown Rights: All entries must comply with brand guidelines. Rights holders reserve the right to approve any UGC featuring their IP prior to publication. They may request removal of any content at any time, for any reason. Only approved games will be posted.
• IP Selection & Separation: Participants must choose either Teletubbies or Smurfs as their inspiration. Blended content may be subject to disqualification or additional review.

Judges & Voting 

Your game will be evaluated across five categories, with up to 22 points available from each judge. These categories include:

• Overall Creative Idea: How unique and engaging is your idea, and how well does it apply the theme of the Game Jam?
• Level Design: Is the virtual world intuitive to navigate, does it flow well, and is it visually immersive?
• Game Design: Are your gameplay mechanics fun, engaging, and immersive?
• Playability: Is the overall game intuitive, and are there minor or major bugs that disrupt the player experience?
• BONUS: Wow Factor: Extra points are awarded for exceptional creativity, visual design, or innovative gameplay that takes the experience to the next level.

You can read about these categories in more detail here, where you can also learn more about the judges.

Resources

Need help getting started? We’ve got you covered! Check out these essential tools and guides to help you build your game:

• New to Game Maker? Learn fast here.
• Creating Custom Assets? Find all of our VoxEdit resources here.
• Need guidance? Follow our Production Guide to plan and build your game step-by-step.
• Save time by buying pre-made assets from our Marketplace here.

FAQs 

What are CATALYST Packs?

CATALYST Packs add value and rarity to in-game assets in The Sandbox. Each pack contains components you can use to enhance your game's ASSETS.

Learn more about CATALYSTs here.

CATALYST Pack Tiers:

• Gold: 1 🟨, 3 🟪, 10 🟦, 50 🟩, 100 ⬜
• Silver: 1 🟪, 5 🟦, 25 🟩, 50 ⬜
• Bronze: 3 🟦, 10 🟩, 25 ⬜

If you have more questions, be sure to read our full rules and FAQs linked above, or visit the Creators Forum where our team and community are ready to help.

Good luck to all participants! We can’t wait to see what you create.