ENTRY-LVL

Today's #ENTRYLVL spotlight: Swan Song by @bgstudios.bsky.social! 🦢🎶

Set inside a magical music box, this cozy #indiegame shares the emotional story of its creator. Play as a cute swan, solving music puzzles to guide them safely and uncover the meaning behind the box.

🔗 steam.pm/app/3265290

Applications are now open for @latinxingaming.bsky.social's 2025 Grants Program! 🙌✨

This program supports #gamedevs at all levels—offering financial help to break down barriers. Grants range from $100–$1,000 USD and can be used for courses, hardware, conference passes & more!

More details below! 👇

@hippxcrates.bsky.social is a brilliant writer; we’re so lucky to have her with us! Definitely check out her current and upcoming articles—they’re thoughtful and totally worth reading! 👏✨

Want to make #3Dart in #Blender but don't know where to start? 🤔

3D Skills Start Here is an early-access #indiegame that teaches Blender fundamentals through gameplay and storytelling. It’s a fun, beginner-friendly way for new #gamedevs to learn the basics—check it out! ✨

🔗 steam.pm/app/2836300

The #SummerEntryJam is live with our main theme: Fish! 🐟💙

From deep-sea mysteries to cozy aquarium sims—how you use the theme is up to you!

We’re excited to see the amazing #indiegames you'll make! If you're a junior #gamedev ready for a #gamejam, join our Discord—links below! Happy jamming! ✨

You're so welcome! It’s a super cool game—absolutely love the aesthetic and the gameplay. Best of luck with your kickstarter! 🐲💚

Today's #ENTRYLVL spotlight: The Next Stop by @paranoiddelusion.bsky.social! 🚇💖

Board a haunted subway in this narrative point & click #indiegame where nothing is as it seems. Solve puzzles, make tough choices, and unravel a murder full of contradictions.

🔗 paranoiddelusion.itch.io/thenextstop

About "Breaking Into Games": Breaking Into Games is an interview series featuring honest, practical advice from professionals across the game industry. They share their experiences, the highs-and-lows of working in games, and offer helpful tips for anyone trying to break into the field. ━━━━━━━━━━━━ Breaking Into Games w/ Sam Webb

Hi folks! We're excited to announce our official YouTube channel is live! 🙌✨

You can watch our latest interview with the fabulous @conjette.art there, plus all future interviews with #gamesindustry professionals. If that sounds like your thing, be sure to subscribe! 😉

🔗 youtu.be/s01FC_pOFlY

Applications are now open for the @wingsfund.me Elevate Program! 🪽🩷

This 3-month prototype fund supports early-career #indiedev teams led by women and gender-marginalized creators—helping them refine their #indiegames and prepare to pitch to publishers or partners.

More details below! 👇

(5/5) Courtesy of Stay Safe! Jam (staysafejam.org), this all-in-one resource is great for keeping your jam process smooth and stress-free. It’s full of practical picks—from planning tools and engines to asset sites, art/audio editors, and more.

Game Jam Tools – Free Tools for Game Devs Try free tools to help with game jams – pitch generators, title makers, chiptune loops, and more. No installs.

(4/5) The Game Jam Tools site offers a collection of free, browser-based tools made just for game jams—everything from idea generators, a scope meter, a chiptune maker, and more. It also includes quick tips to help guide your jam process from start to finish.

GitHub - kobitoko/Game-Jam-Tools-Resources: A list of many game dev/jam tools & resources. A list of many game dev/jam tools & resources. Contribute to kobitoko/Game-Jam-Tools-Resources development by creating an account on GitHub.

(3/5) Created by user kobitoko (github.com/kobitoko), this is another curated masterlist packed with helpful game jam tools and resources. It includes everything from discipline-specific tools, asset packs, templates, starter kits, guides, free software, and so much more.

(2/5) Created by Malmö Jams Too (malmojamstoo.com), this 4-page guide is a great project management tool for first-time jammers or anyone needing a solid starting point to organize their jam process.

(1/5) Courtesy of @globalgamejam.bsky.social, this handy resource is a curated collection of tools, software discounts, asset packs, guides, and more—including a Google Doc masterlist compiled by GGJ organizers from around the world.

a purple cat wearing a red dress is standing on a pink background Alt: a purple cat wearing a red dress is standing on a pink background

With #SummerEntryJam just around the corner, we’re sharing five #gamejam resources to help you prep, stay organized & make the most of your jam time! ✨

These are useful for #gamedevs at any level—whether you’re new to jams or looking to expand your toolkit.

Check them out below, happy jamming! 🍇💜

(1/5) Courtesy of @globalgamejam.bsky.social, this handy resource is a curated collection of tools, software discounts, asset packs, guides, and more—including a Google Doc masterlist compiled by GGJ organizers from around the world.

(5/5) #SummerEntryJam FAQ:

Q: Can participants join multiple teams?

A: To keep things fair and focused, participants cannot join multiple teams during the jam. Since it’s a ranked event, this ensures everyone can fully commit to their team’s project and keeps the competition balanced!

(4/5) #SummerEntryJam FAQ:

Q: Is this jam exclusively for entry-level participants only?

A: Not at all! While the jam focuses on supporting entry-level devs, everyone is welcome to join!

(3/5) #SummerEntryJam FAQ:

Q: Do we keep ownership of our submissions once the jam ends?

A: Yes! You retain full ownership of your submissions. Just a quick note: if you include Fishhook, our mascot, the rights to that character remain with us.

(2/5) #SummerEntryJam FAQ:

Q: Is the pre-jam week a strict part of the jam? Can I start programming during that week or tweak the game’s concept afterward?

A: The pre-jam week is for brainstorming and planning. Though not prohibited, development should ideally start when the jam officially begins!

(1/5) #SummerEntryJam FAQ:

Q: Does my submission need to be an executable, or can it be a custom game made within another game?

A: Submissions must be standalone executables. We’re not able to support mods or games built inside other platforms (e.g. Roblox, Tabletop Simulator, Minecraft, etc.)

Hey jammers! Just a reminder: the #SummerEntryJam starts in SIX DAYS! 📢‼️

We’re really excited to see all the fun and creative games you’ll be making! If you’re thinking about joining our #gamejam, be sure to join our Discord—everyone’s welcome!

P.S. See the comments below for our latest FAQ! 👇

For #DisabilityPrideMonth, @nothingwithoutus.bsky.social is hosting Twitch panels starting 07/25 @ 7:45 PM BST focused on disability inclusion in #games! 🙌✨

They’re also fundraising to help disabled #gamedevs & #gamers get event access, education & more!

Big shoutout to NWU—we love what you do! 💖

Today's #ENTRYLVL spotlight: Shroom and Gloom by @teamlazerbeam.bsky.social! 🍄💖

Descend into a monster-filled dungeon in this stylish first-person roguelike deckbuilder #indiegame! Build two decks to slash, roast, and combo your way through fungal foes and survive The Gloom!

🔗 steam.pm/app/3271280

Join the ENTRY-LVL Discord Server! A community-driven platform for entry-level game devs. Dedicated to helping newcomers break into the industry and spotlighting indie games. 🐲💚 | 256 members

Did you know our community #Discord has a #gamedev job board and volunteer board, both regularly updated with entry-to-mid level friendly roles? 🐲💚

Whether you're looking for paid work or eager to gain hands-on experience, we’ve got opportunities for both! 🙌

💬 Discord: discord.gg/qbdBQr86zN

Our latest articles are live! 🙌✨

- A reminder for creatives to push back on AI & build your own process—by @erinvalr0g.bsky.social
- A summer update on ENTRY LVL’s progress & plans—by @knightsicle.bsky.social
- A #gamedevs guide to making summer productive—by Luna Rasheed

Tell us what you think! 💚

A huge thank you to our amazing judges: Destinee Cleveland (@dnbc32.bsky.social)‬, Melinn Chailom, and Brody Armstrong! We’re so grateful for your support and participation! 💖

🌟 ENTRY LVL’s first-ever #gamejam is here: #SummerEntryJam! 🌟

This August, we’re hosting a month-long jam celebrating aspiring #gamedevs and fresh #gamesindustry talent! For full details & submissions, visit the links below:

💚 Itch: itch.io/jam/entry-jam
💚 Discord: discord.gg/2vkEAsbA9A

The (Newbie) GDevs Have Questions With Nodnin Studios Pauline Reinacher Hey 🙂 It’s been about three weeks since my last article. I DEFINITELY have not made posts saying I was almost done and then deleted them soon after.

Ever wonder what it’s really like to work in the #gamesindustry? 🤔

In this article, Writer & Marketer @leeuhlookout.bsky.social chats with 2D Artist & Marketer @deathbyulan.bsky.social about life in games—covering game jams, burnout, and tips for early-career #gamedevs breaking into the field! ✨

Reminder: our next co-working session is happening this Saturday (07/19) on Discord! 🐲💚

We provide a welcoming space where #gamedevs of all levels can hang out, share projects, and build connections.

If you're looking for a friendly community focused on #gamedevelopment, come hang out with us! ✨