It depends on the jam, and the big ones disagree. GitHub Game Off (Nov 1 to Dec 1, 2026) sets no AI rule and lets you use any tools you like, and Ludum Dare allows AI tools as long as you opt out of the categories where a generator did most of the work. GMTK Game Jam, Brackeys Game Jam, Scream Jam and Godot Wild Jam ban AI-generated content, and some of them disqualify you for it.
Below is what each jam's own rules page says, checked on 2026-10-23. Jam rules change from one edition to the next, so read the current page before you start. Here's the summary.
Quick answer: which jams allow AI?
| Jam | Next or latest edition | AI code help | AI art and audio | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub Game Off | Nov 1 to Dec 1, 2026 | No rule | No rule | Submission form will ask whether you used AI |
| Ludum Dare | See ludumdare.com | Allowed | Allowed, but opt out | Skip categories where a generator did ~90% of the work |
| GMTK Game Jam | Jul 22 to 26, 2026 (back in 2027) | Asked not to | Banned | Disqualification for AI art or audio, including the itch page |
| Brackeys Game Jam | Feb 15 to 22, 2026 | Banned | Banned | "No AI-Generated content" |
| Scream Jam | Oct 16 to 23, 2026 | Banned | Banned | All generative AI technologies |
| Godot Wild Jam | Nov 13 to 22, 2026 (#99) | Banned, "no vibe code" | Banned | Covers your itch page too |
Does GitHub Game Off allow AI?
Yes, as far as the rules go: they don't mention AI at all. The jam page says to "use whatever programming languages, game engines, or libraries you like", that the theme is announced on November 1, 2026, and that your source code has to live in a public GitHub repository, pushed before December 1 at 13:37 PST. Source: Game Off 2026 on itch.io
There is one change this year. Asked in the jam's community tab whether AI-made games could be separated out, host Lee Reilly replied that the submission form will have a place to indicate whether AI was used, and that he was looking at options more detailed than yes or no (no AI, some AI help, built largely with AI). Source: Game Off 2026 community thread
What that means for you:
- You can use an AI coding assistant like GitHub Copilot, Claude Code or Cursor, and AI art or audio tools.
- Be honest on the form. In the same thread, a jammer asked for the AI answer to become a filter so players can find the kind of games they want to rate, so expect your answer to be visible.
- Your repo is public, so everyone can see your code and commit history. If an AI tool wrote most of it, that will usually be obvious.
- Check the license of anything you generate. A public repo means you're also publishing those assets.
Does Ludum Dare allow AI?
Yes. Ludum Dare's FAQ says AI-powered tools can be used, but "you may have to opt-out of certain categories." AI assistants and co-pilot tools can be used without restriction; content generators can be used too, but you should opt out of any category where the generator did most of the work, typically Graphics. "Most of the work" means about 90% of that category. Source: Ludum Dare FAQ, "Can I use AI?"
Three details people miss:
- The same applies to the Compo, not just the Jam.
- Non-AI generators (procedural sound effect tools, for example) are treated the same way, so a generated soundtrack means opting out of Audio either way.
- You're responsible for the legality of the tool. The FAQ says it's up to you to know whether the tool's training data was licensed and whether you have the right to use what it generated.
Ludum Dare's reasoning is that banning AI isn't realistic to police and wouldn't match how the industry works, but it still wants to celebrate artists, hence the category opt-outs.
Does GMTK Game Jam allow AI?
No for art and audio. The 2026 rules say you must not use generative AI to make art or audio assets for your game or your itch.io page, and that doing so will get your game disqualified. Beyond that, the organizers ask you not to use AI for the jam in general ("just make the game yourself, or find someone who can help"), but say they can only actively police art and audio. Source: GMTK Game Jam 2026 on itch.io
The 2026 jam ran July 22 to 26; the page says it returns in 2027. If you plan to use an AI coding assistant there, you're inside the letter of the rule but against what the organizers asked.
Do Brackeys, Scream Jam and Godot Wild Jam allow AI?
No, and these three are the strictest.
- Brackeys Game Jam: the rules list for the February 2026 edition says "No AI-Generated content", alongside "Use any engine or framework" and permission to use assets you have the license for. Source: Brackeys Game Jam 2026.1 on itch.io
- Scream Jam 2026 (Oct 16 to 23): its FAQ answers "Can I use generative AI content in my submission?" with "No. All generative AI technologies are banned from use in this jam." Source: Scream Jam 2026 on itch.io
- Godot Wild Jam #99 (Nov 13 to 22): "Do NOT use AI-generated content. No vibe code, no AI-generated art, no AI-composed music, no AI-written dialogue, no AI assets of any kind." It applies to your game and your itch page, and submissions can be removed at the organizers' discretion. The jam starts on the second Friday of every month. Source: Godot Wild Jam #99 on itch.io
Godot Wild Jam is the one to watch if you use Godot AI plugins like Godot MCP or Ziva: "no vibe code" rules out letting an agent write your scripts, not just generated art. Turn those plugins off for the jam.
What counts as "AI" in a jam rule?
Jams draw the line in different places, and the wording matters more than the headline:
- "AI-generated content" (Brackeys) or "generative AI" (Scream Jam): read it as covering code, art, audio and text unless the page says otherwise.
- "Art or audio assets" (GMTK): a narrower ban that names what gets you disqualified.
- Category opt-outs (Ludum Dare): allowed, but you give up the ratings that would reward the generated part.
- Silence (Game Off): allowed by default, but disclosure is coming on the form.
If a rule is vague about something you depend on, like code autocomplete, ask in the jam's community tab or Discord before the jam starts and keep the answer. Organizers can remove entries at their discretion, and "I didn't think autocomplete counted" won't help after the deadline.
A checklist before your next jam
- Read the current rules page, not last year's. Each edition gets a new itch.io page, and the rules can change between them.
- Find the AI line and what it covers: code, art, audio, writing, and the itch page itself (GMTK and Godot Wild Jam include it).
- Look at the penalty: disqualification (GMTK), removal at the organizers' discretion (Godot Wild Jam), or opting out of categories (Ludum Dare).
- Switch off what you can't use. Disable code assistants in your editor and engine plugins for strict jams; it's easy to accept a suggestion out of habit.
- Check the tool's license anyway. Even where AI is allowed, some free tiers don't let you publish or sell what you make. Our Can you ship it? page lists the verdict for every tool we track.
- Disclose plainly where the jam asks (Game Off's form, Ludum Dare's category choices), and keep the same note in your README or itch page.
- Thinking of selling the game afterwards? See Can you sell a vibe-coded game? for code ownership and Steam's disclosure rules.
For jams that allow AI, our AI coding assistants, 3D and art and sound and voice lists show price and license for each tool, so you can pick one you're allowed to ship with.