Game Jam 2026
The Game Jam is delighted to be back in 2026, and we’re changing the format this year, based on everyone’s feedback.
Here’s what you need to know.
What’s Changed?
- Anyone across the Globe can take part
- Games can be developed in digital applications like Tabletop Simulator or boardssey
- The Theme will be announced on 22 August 2026
- Game development can start as soon as the theme is announced
- Prizes will only be given to attendees of Tabletop Scotland with a Three-Day or Weekend Ticket
Why announce the theme beforehand?
We got lots of positive feedback on the Game Jam, but people attending Tabletop Scotland felt they didn’t have time to take part in the Game Jam and attend everything they wanted to on the show floor.
Now you can do both and either bring your game to be reviewed at Tabletop Scotland or submit it online.
We’re also interested in some more roleplaying games this year, so the extra time allows for some extra planning those games might need.
The final reason is simply time. Games take some time to play and review properly, and we’d like to give better feedback to all participants on the games they created.
This year’s theme will be revealed below on Saturday 15th August at 20:00 BST.
Can I still develop my game at the event?
You certainly can.
Phil and his team of helpers will be around to help and all the facilities that have been there for the last two years will be available.
Prizes
As with previous years, the winning team will win Three-Day Passes to next year’s Tabletop Scotland.
No AI Slop Please
We much prefer hand-drawn art and paper designs, then anything produced with Artificial Intelligence Large Language Models, which have a negative impact on our industry.
Not only can we spot these things easily, but they spoil the very nature of trying to create something for yourselves.
Submitting a Game
Games must be submitted before 11:00 UK Time on the last day of the convention. This is so we can properly test them all.
Attending Tabletop Scotland
If you’re attending Tabletop Scotland as a ticket holder, just bring your game along to the Game Jam area and we’ll give it a go and provide feedback.
Not attending TTS
The first Ten teams that submit a game and are not attending Tabletop Scotland will get a playthrough and review by our team during or after the event.
- Please provide a link to your game in a digital format which is easily accessible to play
- Review feedback will be in a standard format
If this function is popular, we’ll see if we can extend our review team in the following years.