Top games + source code from Gamedev.js Jam 2022

This is a guest post by GitHub Star, @end3r, a.k.a., Andrzej Mazur. Andrzej is a web game developer and technical evangelist, founder of Enclave Games indie studio, creator of the js13kGames competition, and Gamedev.js community firestarter—amongst other things!

The recently-ended Gamedev.js Jam 2022 encouraged game developers to create web games and share their sources on GitHub. Let’s look at the best 13 entries and see what experts and other participants think of them.

You might’ve already heard about the js13kGames competition, which has been running since 2012. Besides the fun challenge of squeezing your game’s assets into a 13 kilobyte zip package, another requirement is to provide the source code in a readable form on GitHub. The Gamedev.js community started around that time as well, but focused on local meetups and hackathons over the years, with the Gamedev.js Weekly newsletter being published regularly since 2014. Fast forward to 2020, when the first online Gamedev.js Jam was held, and the third edition in 2022 was the first to ask the developers to (optionally) provide the sources of their games.

That call was answered. Out of 95 submitted games this year, 27 provided their source code on GitHub. As some scientists would say, not bad, not terrible. Below, you will find the best 13 entries out of that 27, based on the overall results (this year’s theme was RAW), along with the feedback about them:

1. Aaron’s Quest IV: While Moses Was Away

Play · Source by @jimbly

Ratings: second place overall, #2 in Gameplay, #2 in Innovation, and #7 in Audio.

Joep van Duinen: The game feels really rewarding to play. You can add lots onto the game, like new upgrades, maps/modes (for example, time trials to get certain objects), maybe there are different workers, or upgrades to workers that make them more efficient as the game gets longer/harder. You made a really simple game, but it works so well, congrats! I’m excited for the future of the game.

2. Sushi Mania

Play · Source by @jorge-frvr

Ratings: ninth place overall, #4 in Theme, #8 in Gameplay, and #8 in Graphics.

Raptor9999: Fun gameplay loop! Everything is quite balanced, and the controls work very well. I surprised myself how well I was able to slice what I was looking for, even when the belt was moving that quickly!

3. IT’S TOO RAW!

Play · Source by @xem

Ratings: 12th place overall, #1 in Theme, #2 in Decentralized, and #3 in Web Monetization.

Omhet: This game made me laugh! Very innovative take on a casual genre. I think Gordon would’ve liked it.

4. .raw mode

Play · Source by @caiofov

Ratings: 14th place overall, #1 in Innovation and #12 in Gameplay.

Johnonym: This game has interesting and unique mechanics, which is definitely something you can explore further. Being able to swap any bit made the game easy.

5. Golem Caves

Play · Source by @svntax

Ratings: 17th place overall, #3 in Decentralized and #9 in Gameplay.

Photonstorm: Really quite fun! Although, I wish the pick-ax worked a lot faster, as it took ages to get going. Once you did, it was compelling to carry on collecting gems.

6. UNRAWIFY

Play · Source by @Stiggstogg

Ratings: 18th place overall, #3 in Innovation, #6 in Web Monetization, and #12 in Theme.

J.C. Games: I love the idea of features of the game getting added as you play!

7. Super Simple Salad Simulator

Play · Source by @piesku

Ratings: 24th place overall, #6 in Theme and #14 in Innovation.

Makritzaa: I love it! You made a great game!

8. Chez RAW

Play · Source by @thomasssaulay

Ratings: 26th place overall, #8 in Theme.

Ardiam Games: Fun, frantic little game! And the sprites are very cute. I felt bad for killing the piggys. Good job!

9. Sushi Dou

Play · Source by @Elfet

Ratings: 28th place overall, #3 in Decentralized.

Melky Pop: What a cute game! I wasn’t sure how to serve the plates until I read instructions, so I think it would help to have those instructions in the game. The game starts off chaotic and hard, and those customers just do not wait.

10. Rock to forget

Play · Source by @Horncn

Ratings: 30th place overall, #2 in Audio.

Caiofov: Nice game! The fact that you have covered the song makes it even better. I found it pretty hard. I need to keep playing it. I hope we can see some updates in the future!

11. RunAWay

Play · Source by @gregwoodsfrontier

Ratings: 33rd place overall, #13 in Graphics.

Heru: I loved the art and the animation in the start screen. Nice job there.

12. R.A.W. Ball

Play · Source by @tpwatson

Ratings: 36th place overall, #7 in Decentralized, #8 in Web Monetization, #9 in Audio, and #13 in Graphics.

BuyMyBeard: I love the visuals of this game, the intro, and the theme.

13. RAWS: a Raw Ascii Web Shooter

Play · Source by @fdadeau

Ratings: 41st place overall.

Dashing Strike: That’s a really solid game! I played quite a few times, managed to get 4,600 points. And… then I saw someone’s comment about beating the game, so I had to go play again until I did. I really like the ASCII graphics, though definitely not feeling like a terminal emulator. They still do really set the mood. Audio’s good too!

That’s it! Make sure to check the entire collection on itch.io if you want to see what was built and offered to their sources. We do hope to see even more open source games with their code on GitHub next time for Gamedev.js Jam 2023. Make sure to join on itch.io already if you don’t want to miss it! Want to be part of the community? Follow @Gamedevjs on Twitter and join our Discord server.

Written by

Andrzej Mazur

@end3r