Entertainment · Gaming · 4 hrs ago
Epic drops AI requirement for its November game jam
Epic Games is holding its AI MegaJam in November, inviting individuals and teams to make a game over a weekend.
The company first said participants had to use AI, but later clarified that AI use is optional.
The event encourages AI tools, as Epic argues they can help developers make games and prototypes faster.
The jam’s theme will be announced on November 11, and participants will have November 12–15 to build their games.
Winners in three categories will each receive $7,500, with other cash prizes and continuation grants of up to $50,000 per team also available.
Some participants can work in person in San Francisco, and Epic plans daily livestreams; the event’s rules are being updated to clarify the AI choice.
Epic Games has dropped a requirement that participants use AI in its November 2026 Epic AI MegaJam.
The company said its FAQ was mistaken and participants may use as little or as much AI as they want.
The jam’s theme will be revealed on November 11, with participants making games from November 12 to 15.
Winners in three categories will each receive $7,500, and teams may also be eligible for development grants of up to $50,000.
- Who
- Epic Games is organizing the jam for participating individuals and teams.
- What
- Epic removed the requirement to use AI in its 2026 Epic AI MegaJam. Participants can use as little or as much AI as they want.
- When
- The theme will be revealed on November 11, and the jam runs November 12–15, 2026. Epic announced the FAQ correction on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- Some participants will work in person at an event space in San Francisco; the event will also have daily livestreams.
- Why
- Not stated
Epic Games
AI critics
AI use
Epic Games
Epic says participants may use as little or as much AI as they want and has encouraged AI use in the jam.
AI critics
A critic questioned Epic’s framing that AI could help participants make a game in a weekend, pointing to the Ludum Dare game jam.
Epic said its FAQ was mistaken and that using AI in the MegaJam is optional.
The theme of the 2026 Epic AI MegaJam is scheduled to be revealed.
Participants are scheduled to produce their games for the jam.
- Event
- 2026 Epic AI MegaJam
- AI requirement
- Optional; participants can use as little or as much AI as they want
- Theme reveal
- November 11, 2026
- Jam dates
- November 12–15, 2026
- Top prizes
- $7,500 for each winner in three categories
- Development grants
- Up to $50,000 per team
What people are saying
That's our mistake. You can use as little or as much AI as you want. We're updating the FAQ and rules to make that clear.
Our FAQ originally said you had to use AI for the MegaJam
So do yall think you invented the concept of a game jam or what?
The ludum dare game jam was only 24 hours in 2002, so like, a quarter of the time as your game jam. but you want to make it look like its only possible with AI with this 'wait months to prototype.'
Posts on X
Our FAQ originally said you had to use AI for the MegaJam. That’s our mistake. You can use as little or as much AI as you want. We’re updating the FAQ and rules to make that clear.