Level Zero: Sri Lanka's Beginner-Friendly Game Jam by LEVELSTAIR
Level Zero is LEVELSTAIR's free, beginner-friendly game jam, running monthly on the LEVELSTAIR community portal since 2026. Here's how the first Level Zero jam ran, who placed, and how to join the next one.
Level Zero is LEVELSTAIR’s free, beginner-friendly game jam, built for developers who haven’t shipped a game before. The first edition ran on itch.io in November 2024. Since 2026, Level Zero runs every month on the LEVELSTAIR community portal, open to anyone regardless of experience.
- Cadence
- Monthly, from 2026 onwards
- Where It Runs
- portal.levelstair.com (first edition on itch.io)
- Entry Fee
- Free
- First Jam
- Nov 3 – Nov 17, 2024
- First Jam Entries
- 4 games, 18 community ratings
- Judging Criteria
- Theme, Fun & Gameplay, Creativity, Audio-Visual
Designed for First-Timers
Per LEVELSTAIR’s own event page, Level Zero is “designed specifically for those new to game development.” No experience is required, a theme is announced at the start, and mentors are on hand for support.
Level Zero’s format, as described by LEVELSTAIR, is a 48-hour challenge: a theme drops, and teams build and submit a complete game before the deadline. Announcements go out on the community portal, Discord, and WhatsApp.
How Often Does Level Zero Run?
From 2026 onwards, Level Zero runs monthly on the LEVELSTAIR community portal. The portal is also where LEVELSTAIR’s community groups live, so new developers can find the jam and the community in one place.
Jam #1 Results
The first Level Zero jam ran on itch.io and took submissions from November 3 to November 17, 2024. It drew 4 entries, judged across Theme Interpretation, Fun Factor & Gameplay, Creativity, and Audio-Visual quality, with 18 total community ratings:
- 🥇 Bubbly, by Breno Galvao (tied 1st, Score 4.478)
- 🥇 Floaty Frenzy, by Altdev (tied 1st, Score 4.478)
- 🥉 The Gosling’s Journey, by chapankorn and LadyMaryl (3rd, Score 3.800)
- Pirate Rescue Team, by Vitochico
Where Level Zero Fits
Level Zero is the entry point into LEVELSTAIR’s broader event ladder. First-time jammers can move on to EXE, LEVELSTAIR’s flagship all-island competition. The strongest teams from EXE Extended 2026 presented their games on the Spotlight Stage at LKGDC.
How Do I Join the Next Level Zero Jam?
Sign up on portal.levelstair.com, where each month’s Level Zero jam is run. You can also join the Discord or check the events page for the next theme and dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Level Zero?
Level Zero is LEVELSTAIR's free, beginner-friendly game jam. It's designed as an entry point for developers who have never written a line of code or drawn a sprite before, with mentors and resources provided.
How often does Level Zero run?
Level Zero runs monthly from 2026 onwards, on the LEVELSTAIR community portal at portal.levelstair.com. The first edition ran on itch.io in November 2024.
How much does it cost to enter Level Zero?
Level Zero is completely free to enter, and registration is open to anyone.
Who won the first Level Zero jam?
In the first Level Zero jam (November 3–17, 2024), Bubbly by Breno Galvao and Floaty Frenzy by Altdev tied for 1st place. The Gosling's Journey, by chapankorn and LadyMaryl, placed 3rd. Pirate Rescue Team by Vitochico also competed.
How do I join the next Level Zero jam?
Sign up on the LEVELSTAIR community portal at portal.levelstair.com, where each month's Level Zero jam is run. Announcements also go out on LEVELSTAIR's Discord and WhatsApp community.