#trijam

art assets for a fun little project with friends over a weekend for trijam #286!! the 3 hour game jam :]

the theme was "forced to make a move". the idea was a rhythm-based shoot-em-up, you play a black queen bouncer protecting the dj king from a growing rowdy crowd on the dancefloor

programming - @umd

music - @/fairything

voice lines + sfx - Emma K

stage art + enemy colors - @wigglypon

additional sprites of the bouncer + individual gif frames under the cut:

Hello everyone!

I'm dusting off my old Tumblr account to post a short game I made with my wife. We made it for the Trijam and it was really fun to do!

It's full of little winks to our favorite things, like Heartstopper, retro gaming,... and it's queer <3

It's really short so you can finish it in 5 minutes, and it's playable in a browser so it doesn't need any installation.

So if you like short games with a relaxing mood and cute drawings, come check it out :)

In the world of game jams, Trijam stands apart as a weekly challenge where developers attempt to build a fully playable game in just 3 hours. While longer jams allow for more polish and refinement, Trijam emphasizes rapid prototyping, creative problem-solving, and game design under extreme time constraints.

For Trijam #312, 15 entries were submitted, with 107 ratings given across 16 games, leading to some fascinating results. The spy-themed jam tested participants’ ability to build stealth mechanics, design quick but engaging levels, and balance visuals and sound—all in just three hours.

Spy Games: How the Entries Stacked Up

With such limited development time, each game brought its own approach to the theme. Some leaned into traditional stealth mechanics, while others took a more experimental route.

📌 Standout Trends in the Jam:

• Gameplay first: Most high-scoring games focused on making the core mechanics fun and functional before adding extra polish.

• Audio struggles: Sound design was consistently one of the lowest-rated categories, suggesting that many developers prioritized gameplay and visuals.

• Theme integration varied: Some games fully embraced the spy narrative, while others loosely incorporated it. Serious Subterfuge, for example, scored #1 in theme despite ranking #12 in visuals and #14 in audio.

🔹 Spybot, the winner, took 1st place overall and also secured the top spot in audio, showing that even in a short time frame, careful sound design can elevate a game.

🔹 Cloak and Dagger, the runner-up, had solid balance across all categories but ranked #10 in theme fit, showing that execution sometimes outshines strict adherence to the prompt.

🔹 Spy Dispatch, ranked #4 overall, had the best visuals in the jam, proving that a strong aesthetic can leave a lasting impression.

🏆 Trijam #312 Winner: Spybot by Alebear

Spybot is a 2D platformer where players hack computers, avoid security cameras, and escape each level without getting caught. Despite being developed in just 3 hours and 32 minutes, it features a fully functional stealth system, tight platforming mechanics, and a well-integrated spy theme.

🔍 What Made It Stand Out:

✔ Well-executed platforming mechanics – The movement and hacking system feel smooth and intuitive.

✔ Sound design mattered – While many entries struggled with audio, Spybot’s atmospheric soundscape helped immerse players.

✔ Strong theme fit – Unlike some competitors, it fully embraced the spy concept, making players feel like a covert operative.

The biggest lesson learned? The developer noted they need to improve background design, admitting they got tired of looking at the default gray background.

📝 Quote from the comments:

“Rage game. 8/10 would recommend.” – ADHD Stu

Trijam: A Training Ground for Rapid Prototyping

The Trijam format makes it one of the most intense and rewarding jams in the game dev community. With a new jam every weekend, it provides:

✔ Consistent practice – Regularly making games sharpens skills quickly.

✔ Creative constraints – The time limit forces devs to focus on the essentials.

✔ Community engagement – Weekly voting and streaming sessions offer valuable feedback.

While Spybot took the crown this week, every entry contributed to a fast-paced, high-energy jam that continues to challenge and inspire developers.