Epic Games announced that the 2026 AI MegaJam will take place from November 12 to 15, with registration now open on Itch.io. Participants must create small, playable game prototypes using Unreal Engine or UEFN within a limited timeframe.
The event explicitly encourages participants to incorporate AI tools into their development workflow, with applications ranging from asset generation to programming agents. Epic Games stated that contestants can experiment with mechanics they previously lacked time to create or explore art styles that were once difficult to achieve.
The total cash prize pool is $65,000, with multiple categories each offering a $2,500 award, including "Best Devlog Showing How to Use AI Tools in Game Development" and "Best Game Using LLM-Driven NPC Dialogue." For particularly promising entries, Epic Games will provide follow-up development funding of up to $50,000 to help teams continue refining their projects after the competition ends.
The promotional image and the slogan "Code with vibes, win $50K" also sparked negative reactions. The original author strongly criticized the competition, arguing that the developer community has long been resistant to AI adoption, and questioned whether such speed-focused contests could improve public perception.