Crazy Web Multiplayer Jam 2025’s Guide
Welcome to Crazy Web Multiplayer Jam, Jammers!
We have created this guide to help you during the event. Feel free to review it as many times as necessary! Our summary is linked to the topics, so you can just click whatever you need to know more about and it’ll redirect you straight to it!
Welcome to the Crazy Web Multiplayer Jam 2025!
Get ready for an exciting week of creativity, collaboration, and game development! The Crazy Web Multiplayer Jam 2025 is a unique opportunity for indie developers, hobbyists, and professionals to come together and create amazing web games. Whether you’re a seasoned game designer or just starting your journey, this jam offers an immersive experience focused on innovation, fun, and the business of gaming.
Our goal is to grow the creative economy by fostering new talent, discovering innovative games, and supporting studios with fresh ideas. Over the course of the jam, you’ll not only build a game from scratch but also have the chance to connect with mentors, engage with fellow developers, and compete for a chance to win exciting agreement bonus.
The Crazy Web Multiplayer Jam is more than just a competition—it’s your chance to learn the ins and outs of multiplayer game development while reimagining how games are made and played. This jam is all about experimenting with new ways of building and collaborating, while showcasing your creation to millions on the CrazyGames platform. With a focus on player engagement, creative mechanics, and high-quality design, it’s time to level up your skills and bring your next multiplayer hit to life.
This guide sets out the rules and conditions of participation in the Crazy Web Multiplayer Jam 2025 to ensure the success of our event.
Join us for this exciting journey where creativity meets opportunity.
The theme announcement will be made on the jam website, Game Jam Discord, and via email on April 25th at 04:00 pm CEST.
Let’s jam!
About CrazyGames
CrazyGames is a leading online platform for web-based games, reaching more than 40 million monthly players worldwide. We support developers by providing a global stage to showcase their creativity and offering tools to help them succeed through our developer portal.
In 2025, we’re thrilled to team up with Photon to make Photon-powered multiplayer games shine on the web during the Crazy Web Multiplayer Jam. Together, we aim to highlight innovative and engaging multiplayer games, helping developers reach a broader audience.
Thanks for being here. Now, let’s make gaming a little crazier together!
– The CrazyGames Team
Terms and Rules of Participation
Be sure to check the following instructions and rules related to the event! The following topics describe what we expect from you and your team during the competition.
The Teams and Participants:
- Follow all Game Jam rules and guidelines.
- Respecting mentors, participants, and organizers is mandatory. Behaviors understood as acts of discrimination regarding gender, color, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion, among other things will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification from the Event. Report any misconduct to the organizers immediately.
- Every participant must register on the main Organizers platform, registration for the event is free of charge.
- To participate in the event, every participant must register on the main Organizers platform.
- For the submission, it is mandatory to select a person responsible for representing the team.
- Prizes will be awarded to the team representative, who will be responsible for distributing them among the team members. The organizers are not liable for any disputes regarding prize distribution within teams.
- Open to individuals, indie teams, and established companies.
- There are no restrictions on the number of members in a team. You can work alone or collaborate with others.
- Team formation is flexible, and you can assemble or modify your team anytime during the event.
- All intellectual property rights to the game remain with the team. The organizers will not claim ownership of your game but may use it for promotional purposes related to the event.
The Game:
- Games must be developed exclusively and entirely during the Event period, and Games may be disqualified at any time if premature development is suspected.
- The game needs to comply with all legal and ethical standards.
- The game must be an online multiplayer web game that uses Photon’s networking tools for its multiplayer features.
- The Organizers do not restrict the use of ready-made and/or paid assets during the Event as long as they are credited.
- The Organizers do not restrict the use of graphic materials, audio files, etc., provided they hold the economic copyright or have obtained the necessary licenses.
- The Organizers will not be responsible for technical problems that arise during the Event.
- A submission will be considered valid only if it meets the following requirements: (“Valid Project”):
- The Game must adhere to the Terms and Conditions and the Guidelines;
- The Game must be delivered within the deadlines as communicated by the Organizers;
- The Game must have a game build submitted to the CrazyGames developers portal;
- The participant must complete the submission with all required info regarding the Game.
- The game is suitable for players aged 12+ and suits the PEGI 12 label criteria.
- The initial game size should be under 50 MB and the final size should not exceed 250 MB.
- The game must adhere to the theme announced at the beginning of the Jam.
- Developers and teams can submit the game to CrazyGames, but participation in the jam does not guarantee publication.
- The organizers will not assume responsibility for the legality of the materials used in the games or the software used by the participants to create them.
- The Organizers will also not be responsible for losses resulting from participants’ use of illegal software or material during the Event.
- The Organizers have the right to disqualify a Game and the participants who created it, especially if the content presented in it violates (a) the law, (b) another person’s property rights, (c) fair practice or (d) is inconsistent with Organizer’s values and/or Guidelines.
- It is prohibited to implement codes or algorithms in the Game that are potentially harmful, invasive, or intended to damage or hijack the operation of, or to monitor the use of, any hardware, software or equipment on which the Game is launched.
- Accept the terms and conditions when submitting the game to CrazyGames.
- Submission of the game is mandatory.
Important Information and Dates
- It’s important to keep in mind that all times and dates in this guide are based on the CEST time zone.
- Crazy Web Game Jam 2025 will begin on Friday, April 25th, 2025, at 4:00 PM CEST, and the themes will be revealed at the opening both on the jam website, Discord server and via email.
- The deadline for submitting the game in the official submission form is Monday, May 5th, 2025, at 11:59:59 PM CEST.
- To be considered valid, the game link must be submitted through the official submission form before the deadline.
- We will have mentors available throughout Crazy Web Multiplayer Jam 2025 on our Discord server to help you with any questions you may have.
How to participate
- Register: Sign up for free via this form.
- Join our Discord: it is not mandatory, but we will have a space for participants there.
- Develop: Build your web-based multiplayer game during the exclusive development period: (April 25th, 2025, to May 5th, 2025).
- Submit: Upload your game to the CrazyGames developer portal and complete the official submission form by Monday, May 5th, 2025, at 11:59 PM CEST.
Event Roadmap
- Registration
- Opens on March 10th, 2025, at 9:00 AM CET
- Closes on May 5th, 2025, at 11:59 PM CEST
- Official Photon Support
- Start on April 18th.
- Start on April 18th.
- Game Jam
- Starts April 25th, 2025, at 4:00 PM CEST
- Ends on May 5th, 2025, at 11:59 PM CEST
- Judging Period Jam
- Starts May 6th, 2025
- Ends May 26th, 2025
- The Announcement
- On Jun 2nd, 2025
Theme
The theme will be released on April 25th, 2025.
TIPS AND TRICKS
How to be successful on CrazyGames
To stand out on CrazyGames, creating an engaging and enjoyable player experience is essential. Here are key factors that contribute to the success of games on our platform:
- High Retention: Games that keep players coming back for more are the most successful. Focus on fun gameplay mechanics, clear progression, and a rewarding experience to maintain a high session rate.
- Fast Load Times: Web-based games need to load quickly to retain players. Optimize your game’s performance to ensure fast load times, particularly in browsers.
- Simple and Intuitive Controls: Games with straightforward and easy-to-learn controls are more likely to succeed. Avoid complexity that could frustrate players early on.
- Engaging Visuals and Audio: Visually appealing graphics and well-integrated audio can elevate a game’s experience. Focus on creating a cohesive style that draws players in.
- Polish and Bug-Free: Ensure your game is polished, has smooth performance, and has no major bugs. A well-tested game that runs smoothly will perform better and attract positive player reviews.
- Replayability: Games with replay value, such as leaderboards, unlockable content, or endless levels, tend to perform better by encouraging players to come back for more.
Why make a Multiplayer Game in 2025?
- Higher Retention: Games with online multiplayer see 2x higher long-term player retention compared to single-player games. That’s real staying power.
- Social Connectivity: Multiplayer games aren’t just games—they’re shared experiences. With CrazyGames’ Friends feature, players can connect, invite each other, and play together in just a few clicks.
- More Engagement: From private lobbies to public parties, multiplayer creates replayability and boosts session time—plus, it makes your game more discoverable.
- Enhanced Gameplay: Real-time competition or cooperation brings excitement and unpredictability that no AI can match.
- Monetization Friendly: Multiplayer games open the door for cosmetics, passes, and live-service updates that keep your game alive—and profitable.
- Invite Friends with one click
- Multiplayer landing page promotion
- Auto-join through invite links
- Integration-ready SDK with support
How to create a WebGL Multiplayer game using Photon Technology?
If you’re developing a multiplayer game for the Crazy Web Multiplayer Jam 2025 using Photon, this section will help you choose the right setup and avoid common pitfalls.
- Recommended Starting Point: Photon Fusion – Shared Mode
For most participants, especially in a game jam context, Photon Fusion’s Shared Mode is the best option. It is ideal for WebGL builds and lets you focus on your gameplay mechanics instead of dealing with complex networking setups.
Why Shared Mode?
- Fully compatible with WebGL
- Offers low latency and low CPU usage
- No resimulations needed on clients
- Handles drop-in/drop-out players seamlessly
- Runs out-of-the-box, no need for dedicated servers or player hosting
Perfect for fast-paced prototyping and game jams! Shared Mode takes care of the networking layer so you can focus on building a fun and polished experience.
- Avoid Host & Dedicated Server Modes in WebGL
These modes are disabled by default in WebGL. Even if you manually enable them, they present several issues in browsers:
- They’re unreliable (pause when the browser tab loses focus, single-threaded environments)
- Require relays, which introduce higher latency
- Not recommended for real-time performance in browser-based games
Stick with Shared Mode to ensure performance and reliability in your jam game.
- WebGL Setup Tips for Shared Mode
- Shared Mode works by default in WebGL builds, no extra configuration needed
- Other modes (like Client-Server) require enabling WebGL server support manually, which is complex and unnecessary for most jam projects
- Focus on building great gameplay, not managing infrastructure
- Easy Workflow with Photon Fusion
Getting started with Fusion’s Shared Mode is simple:
- Uses the same API as other Fusion modes
- Fast to set up with clear documentation
- Handles syncing and remote procedure calls (RPCs) out of the box
Spend your time crafting a fun, engaging game, not debugging network issues.
- Best Practices for WebGL Multiplayer Builds
Before submitting your game, consider these performance tips:
- Disable background-heavy systems that can freeze in browser tabs
- Optimize sync frequency to reduce network load
- Limit player count to improve stability and smoothness
- Test your game with friends through CrazyGames’ invite system
- Advanced Option: Photon Quantum
If you’re an experienced multiplayer dev or want more control and performance, consider Photon Quantum—a high-performance engine designed for competitive games like fighters, sports games, and shooters.
What makes Quantum different?
- Uses a predict/rollback model with deterministic simulation
- Only player inputs are synchronized, not the full game state
- Built around ECS architecture, fully decoupled from Unity’s default system
- Ideal for latency-sensitive or competitive environments
Note: Photon Quantum has a steep learning curve. It’s best suited for developers already comfortable with low-level systems and ECS.
📚 Learn more: Photon Quantum Documentation
Going multiplayer with support during the jam
Multiplayer games create engaging experiences by allowing players to interact and compete in real-time. They foster collaboration, competition, and social interaction, making them highly replayable. With Photon, making multiplayer Web games is now easier than ever.
The Photon team will provide support on Discord for jammers during the jam, so this is your chance to get all your questions answered.
To get an idea of it, check out the Quantum Web Asteroid (with the CrazySDK) or other samples.
Resources
About the Game Submission
How to submit your jam game to CrazyGames
Congratulations on completing your game jam project! Now it’s time to upload your game to CrazyGames so our team and judges can review and enjoy what you’ve created. The upload process is simple, and once completed, you’ll receive a sharable link that you’ll need to include in your Indie Hero submission form.
Step by step:
- Create/log in to your CrazyGames account via the CG developers portal.
- Upload your game files.
Important:
- You don’t need to include the CrazyGames SDK in your game jam submission.
- Your game jam submission will not be published on CrazyGames.
- However, our team is always looking for great games, and if we determine that your game has commercial potential, we will contact you with further instructions.
While the process should be straightforward, we’ve also prepared a video tutorial to guide you through each step in case you need assistance:
How to submit your jam game to Indie Hero
Fill in the required information on the Indie Hero submission form, including your name, email, team details, and play link (available once a game is uploaded to CrazyGames).
Evaluation
Games will be judged based on the following Evaluation Criteria:
- Onboarding
How easy is it for a new player to understand and start playing your game? A clear tutorial or intuitive first experience is essential. - Controls
Are the controls responsive, intuitive, and well-mapped for web gameplay? Good control design enhances overall playability. - Graphics
Visual quality and style. Does your game have a consistent and appealing art direction that fits the genre and enhances the player experience? - Depth / Replayability
Does your game offer meaningful content that encourages players to come back? Features like progression systems, variety, and multiple playstyles improve replay value. - Comercial Potential
How well does the game balance monetization (e.g., rewarded ads, in-app purchases) and replayability to support long-term revenue without disrupting the player experience? - Originality
Is your game concept unique, creative, or different from what’s already out there? Fresh mechanics and ideas score higher. - Performance (Multiplayer Smoothness, File Size, Bugs, etc.)
How well does your game run, especially in multiplayer? Are there performance issues, long load times, major bugs, or a large file size? - Adherence to Theme
How effectively does your game reflect and incorporate the theme announced at the beginning of the jam? - Sound
Quality of audio design, including music, sound effects, and overall audio integration. Does it enhance the atmosphere and gameplay?
Awards
*These deals are recoupable advances provided upon the game’s release. This means that the advance will be recovered from the revenue generated by the game post-launch, with any additional earnings being shared according to the terms outlined in the publishing agreement.
Notes on Agreement Bonus:
- Launch and Payment: The Agreement Bonus amount will only be paid when the game is launched on CrazyGames.
- Intellectual Property: The game’s intellectual property (IP) remains with the developer in all cases.
- Exclusivity: If your game is chosen for publication by the CrazyGames team, the web version will remain exclusive to CrazyGames for a set period. However, you are free to release or port the game to non-web platforms independently during this time.
- Accepting the agreement bonus is optional. However, declining the deal will also mean forfeiting any associated prizes.
- Revenue Share: Once costs are recouped, developers will receive 60% of the in-game advertisement revenue generated, with CrazyGames receiving 40%. For in-app purchases (IAP), the revenue share after recoup is 70% to the developer and 30% to CrazyGames.
Talk to our Team
You can reach us through the following contacts:
- Discord roles to tag: Indie Hero Team, CrazyGames Team
For more information and support, join our Jam Discord community
or send your question by e-mail [email protected].
Crazy Games