UCLA Esports & Gaming is thrilled to announce Fiat Ludum 2026, presented by ASUS Republic of Gamers! This annual game jam, hosted by UCLA Recreation in partnership with ACM: Studio, challenges participants to design and develop a game from scratch in just 72 hours—all based on a surprise theme revealed at the Opening Ceremony.
Only current UCLA students are eligible for Fiat Ludum.
Whether you're a seasoned developer or brand new to game creation, Fiat Ludum is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate, learn, and create. Throughout the event, we'll be hosting introductory game development workshops, guiding beginners through the fundamentals of game design, coding, and asset creation. Absolutely zero experience necessary!
🔗 Fiat Ludum 2026 Registration Form - MUST BE LOGGED INTO YOUR UCLA GOOGLE EMAIL TO ACCESS.
Why Join Fiat Ludum?
- Team-Based Challenge: Work in teams of 2-5 to bring your game idea to life. Don't have a team? Register as a solo and we will match you with others based on your skill interests!
- Workshops & Mentorship: Learn from fellow UCLA developers through interactive workshops and teamwork.
- Showcase Your Work: Finalists will be recognized at GEEX (Gaming & Esports Expo) the weekend after and games will be hosted on our itch.io for future Fiat Ludum jammers to enjoy!
- Exciting Prizes: Compete for top-tier rewards from our sponsor, ASUS Republic of Gamers!
📌 Event Details
🔹 Key Dates & Deadlines
- Registration Deadline: Thursday, April 9th, 11:59 PM PST
- Networking Event w/ Industry Professionals: Friday, April 10th, 6:00 PM PST (Straus Clubhouse, Los Angeles Tennis Center, pizza provided).
- Opening Kickoff & Theme Reveal: Friday, April 10th, 7:00 PM PST (Straus Clubhouse, Los Angeles Tennis Center).
- Game Jam Start: Friday, April 10th, 7:30 PM PST
- Game Jam End: Monday, April 13th, 8:30 PM PST
- Closing Ceremony & Winner Announcements: Weekend of April 18-19 (Bradley Hall 300, GEEX). More details to come!
🏆 Prizes
Last Year's Prizes & Winners:
🎭 Judges Spotlight
Our panel of industry professionals will evaluate submissions based on creativity, execution, and overall design.
🌟 Olivia Hughes – Production Coordinator @ Infinity Ward
🔹 With experience in AAA game production, Olivia is another UCLA alum who helps bring massive titles to market, including the Call of Duty franchise.
🌟 Scott Rudi – Design Director @ Respawn Entertainment
🔹 A veteran game designer, Scott has led development on major projects at Respawn Entertainment, home of Apex Legends and Titanfall, with deep expertise in gameplay mechanics and innovation.
And more to be announced!
🎮 ACM Workshop Series
- Lead by ACM Studio, UCLA's eminent game development club. Come and learn about game jam tips and technical tricks to help with your jam!
- Schedule and details to be announced!
✅ Ready to Join? Sign Up Now!
🔗 Fiat Ludum 2026 Registration Form
🔗 Rules
🔗 Judging Rubric
Spots are limited, so secure your place before the April 9th deadline.
Stay tuned for more updates in the Fiat Ludum Discord Server!
