This year, we had 36 participants who formed 11 teams who premiered their games at our Orlando Gaming EXPO. During the EXPO, four game development judges played each team’s game and scored them based on how well they interpreted the theme and their overall accomplishments. We combined the judges’ scores with votes from EXPO attendees to determine the three winners.
The 2026 Orlando Game Jam theme was “Collections”, and this collection of games can be found here!
First place was awarded to Nick’s Team, which won $1,000 for their game, “Shine Bright, Little Star!” In this game, players take on the role of a baby proto-star that must absorb as many objects as possible to grow into a massive star.
Second place went to Apathetic Socks, which won $850 for their game, “Cat Collector.” In this game, players compete against a rival cat-catching firm to rescue as many stray cats as possible before time runs out.
Third place was awarded to Rad Software, which won $650 for “Acrylic Ballistics.” In this game, players must shoot their way through endless attacks from a haunted art collection.
Heartfelt thanks go out to our sponsors Friends of the Orange County Library System, EA Sports and Unity. Their generous donations provided prizes, food and other accommodations for the event.