[Announcement] MakeCode Arcade Heist Jam!

[richard]

Hey folks!

We’ve been teasing it on stream, and it’s finally time! We’ve just launched the site for our next game jam!

The theme this time around is Heists. In other words, we’re looking for games about thievery, rogues, and crime!

Does that mean your game has to be about robbing banks? Not at all! Your game could be about metaphorically stealing something (like hearts or minds), or it could simply have a plot that is set in motion by a heist that happened before the game even started. Feel free to get creative!

Some good interpretations of this theme:

• A game where you control a rabbit stealing crops from a curmudgeonly farmer
• A fantasy game where you have to recover a kingdom’s stolen amulet
• A dating game where you have to steal the hearts of suitors
• …and of course a game where you rob a bank

You can interpret “heists” however you want, but someone playing your game should be able to see how it relates to the theme without extra explanation. If you’re worried we won’t get it, then make sure to give us an explanation in the game’s description when you submit.

Submitting

You have from October 1st, 2025 to November 15th, 2025 to submit your games. That’s 45 days of coding time! We will accept submissions all the way up to midnight on November 15th for all you procrastinators out there.

You can find more information on how to submit your game at https://arcade.makecode.com/gamejam/heist

Rules

1. Games should be built in MakeCode Arcade
2. Your game must relate to the jam theme. Someone playing your game should be able to see how it relates to the theme without extra explanation.
3. Keep the games PG: no NSFW, offensive, or excessively violent content.
4. You must be at least 9 years old to participate.
5. All games must be submitted by someone who is at least 13 years old. Younger students are welcome to participate, but it must be in partnership with an adult and with parent permission.

For full rules and information on how to submit your game, check out the official game jam site at https://arcade.makecode.com/gamejam/heist

Winners

Because this is a full-size game jam, we will be selecting winners and honorable mentions from the games submitted! All selected games will be featured on the home screen of MakeCode Arcade.

Additionally, game jam winners/honorees receive exclusive badges that can be used on these forums! Now you can finally show off to everyone how good you are at making games

[richard]

Also kudos to @CopySprite for guessing the theme today

[Roboticvacuumer255]

Hey @richard, can my game only match how the theme looks? Or does it have to involve heist-like stuff (like stealing stuff)?

[CopySprite]

Thank you.

[richard]

@Roboticvacuumer255 as long as it’s clear how the game relates to the theme, you’re fine. i’m not sure what you mean by matching how the theme looks, though

[Roboticvacuumer255]

I mean my assets are heist-themed, but the game overall doesn’t. The main point of my game is to jump over obstacles and collect coins.

[Capybara]

holy failed cast on null

[_jupiter]

@richard

November 15th for all you procrastinators out there.

time to revive myself from the dead lmao

[ChimbroDaPro]

Oho YESSSS!!!

[Bilangus]

@richard

curmudgeonly

What is this shakespeare type nonsense??
I swear you either just invented this word or are trying to flex your vocabulary lol

[MeatballDev]

@richard

for all you procrastinators out there.

thank you for considering me

[Ima.notarobot]

HOORAY! I am going to participate. (For realzies this time.) it will be hard for the journey ahead of me, but it is worth it. I will make: Torso and legs! (I am still working on the game name ok) But one player moves the arms and the other the legs!!!

[gimmoeri]

Hello Richard. I have a question. can you work with a team of people or is it a solo game jam? (Sorry I have never participated in one of these before)

[richard]

teams are totally fine!

[CopySprite]

@richard would it be okay to reuse this character?

[richard]

as long as the game fits the theme, sure!

[C0d3r]

@richard

You must be at least 9 years old to participate

isn’t the thing to sign in 13?

[king_bob]

My brothers gonna join he’s new

[richard]

indeed, you can’t join the forum or create a makecode account if you’re 9 but you can enter the gamejam as long as you’re doing so with an adult (e.g. a teacher, parent, guardian, etc.)