Are you ready to design the future? Game devs, storytellers, artists, visionaries, and rebels — this is your moment.
Day Zero Games: SOLARPUNK JAM is here, and it’s a global call to action for creatives who want to build beautiful, playable futures.
This jam is hosted by Trevor Noah’s Day Zero Productions in collaboration with Anima Interactive and sponsored by Cinereach — and we at ItThynk are excited to spread the word and encourage our community to join!
What’s the Theme?
Solarpunk is more than just a vibe — it’s a vision. It’s a hopeful, countercultural movement that imagines a sustainable future where renewable energy, ecological balance, and community innovation drive human progress.
The jam challenges participants to create original game projects that reflect this optimism. From green tech and urban gardens to climate-positive cities and cooperative futures, this is your chance to design a world we’d all love to live in.
Who Can Join?
Anyone 18 or older — whether you’re an experienced developer or just getting started. No prior game jam experience required. Whether you’re flying solo or building a team, you’re welcome!
Join the community on Discord and connect with others through the #looking-for-team channel. It’s a great place to find collaborators, brainstorm wild ideas, or get help along the way.
What’s in It for You?
- $10,000 USD Grand Prize
- Finalists may be approached by Day Zero Productions and/or Cinereach to further develop their projects
- Opportunities for in-person or online showcases
- Your work featured in press releases and global activations
Key Dates to Remember
- Submissions Open: April 22, 2025 (Earth Day!)
- Deadline to Submit: May 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM PDT
- Judging Period: May 12 – 23, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 30, 2025
Judging Criteria
Your submission will be evaluated on:
- Compelling mechanics and gameplay loop
- Creativity and visual style
- Entertainment value
- Integration of climate themes and principles from Cinereach’s Narrative Change Toolkit
Platforms & Tech Rules
Your game can be made for PC, Mac, Android, or Web. (No proprietary platforms or emulators, please!)
Generative AI is not allowed in any part of your submission — everything must be made or licensed by you.
What You Need to Know
- You own what you create. Day Zero and Cinereach do not claim ownership over your submission.
- One submission per participant/team
- All assets must be properly licensed and credited
- Submissions featuring violent, abusive, or triggering content will be disqualified
How to Join
- Visit the official jam page on Itch.io
- Click “Join Jam”
- Fill out the official registration form to qualify for prizes
- Join the Discord server to connect with other jammers!
Follow the jam’s progress and share your journey on BlueSky and X using the hashtag #SolarpunkJam.
Why This Matters
Day Zero Games is inspired by Cape Town’s own “Day Zero” water crisis — a stark reminder of how close we are to climate tipping points. But instead of fear, this jam offers imagination as resistance.
Because sometimes, the best way to change the world is to build a new one — one game at a time.
Whether you’re a coder, a designer, a storyteller, or just a passionate worldbuilder, this is your chance to make something meaningful.
Let’s jam for the planet.
Let’s dream in Solarpunk.
The Solarpunk Jam has teamed up with:
Sign up using the link below:
