How to Enter the Cozy Game Jam: Your Guide to Building a World Worth Staying In
Learn how to enter the Cozy Game Jam (June 16-23) and compete for $2,500 in prizes by building a relaxing, peaceful game using the Stay Awhile Kit.
By RUN.team · June 12, 2026
"Stay awhile, and listen." 🌿
(Deckard Cain, if he were a RUN game dev. Probably.)
The Cozy Game Jam runs June 16 to 23, and it's exactly what it sounds like: a week to slow down, lean into aesthetics, and build a game your players will want to come back to when they’re seeking some R&R. Nail the pace and the vibe, and you're in the running for a share of the $2,500 prize pool.
Here's everything you need to know before the kit drops.
The jam at a glance
Theme: Cozy games! Think farming, decorating, tending, tidying, gentle relaxation, or whatever cozy means to you as long as it’s a relaxing or peaceful experience
Dates: June 16–23
Prize pool: $2,500
Cost to enter: Free
Submission: Publish your game to RUN before June 23 at noon PT
Step 1: Wait for the Stay Awhile Kit (and use the time well)
Every entry must be built using the Stay Awhile Kit, which drops June 16 at noon PT. Anything started before then won't count, so don't jump the gun.
That said, now is the perfect time to get ready:
Sketch out your concept and core loop
Find optional teammates in #💬・game-creator-chat on the RUN Discord
Prep your art assets in advance using whatever tools fit your vision
That last one matters more than usual here. Cozy games live and die by their aesthetics. The feeling of peace, warmth, or tranquility you want players to feel? That comes through in your visuals first. You can absolutely use existing RUN studio assets, but if you have a specific look in mind, get your art ready now so you're not scrambling once the kit is live.
Step 2: Build your game
Once the kit drops, you have seven days to build. Solo or team, no restrictions on size, just make sure everyone who contributed gets credited. Note: if a team wins, prize money will be split amongst US-based team members equally.
The creative brief is intentionally open. Farming works. So does decorating, tending a garden, running a cozy little shop, or something quieter that you can't quite put a genre label on. What matters is the feeling. If the pace is gentle and the aesthetic pulls people in, you're in the right territory.
A few rules to keep your entry clean:
Original concepts only. No 1:1 clones.
No copyrighted character names or art.
Not sure if your idea fits? Drop a question in the RUN Discord and someone will help you figure it out.
Step 3: Publish before the deadline
Publish your game to RUN before June 23 at noon PT. Late submissions are disqualified, so don't save it for the last minute.
Once your game is public and approved, it enters the competition automatically. No form, no separate submission step.
How winners are picked
Scoring is based on average daily unique players measured over the 24-hour window after submissions close. Because it's a daily average, you're not penalized for publishing early or late in the jam window. Publish when it feels good, keep polishing until the deadline, and focus on building something players actually want to return to.
Voter's Choice is a separate category, decided by community votes during the judging window.
The prizes
1st: $1,000
2nd: $600
3rd: $400
4th: $100
5th: $100
Voter's Choice: $300
Note: prize money is open to US residents only.
Key dates
June 16, 12:00 PT: Stay Awhile Kit goes live and building opens
June 16-23: 7-day build window
June 23, 12:00 PT: Submissions close
June 23-24: Judging: community plays + votes, winners announced live
Quick answers
Do I need coding experience? No. RUN's AI-powered Studio lets you build by describing what you want. The AI writes the code; you guide it.
Can I work with a team? Yes. Any size, just credit everyone and be ready to split rewards.
Is it free to enter? Yes. Anyone can join and compete for the $2,500 prize pool. Note that prize money is open to US residents only.
When does it end? Submissions close June 23 at noon PT. Community plays and votes are counted through June 24, and winners are announced live.
Grab something warm, get your art assets sorted, and start thinking about the world you want to build.
The kit drops June 16. We'll see you there!
Full event details → Build on RUN · Join the Discord