Rechecked 5 November 2026: registration remains open. The current official rules include an October 30 clarification: winners cannot claim a cash difference between a prize's approximate and actual retail value. This does not increase the cash pool or turn continuation grants into guaranteed prizes.

Epic is accepting registrations for its 2026 AI MegaJam, a four-day Unreal Engine or UEFN competition with US$65,000 in cash prizes. Solo developers and teams of up to five can participate online.

Despite the name, AI use is optional. The rules say the amount of AI used does not itself raise or lower a score.

Build during the contest window

The build window begins 12 November 2026, 05:00 UTC and ends 16 November 2026, 01:59 UTC (15 November, 20:59 EST). Tools, agent configurations and prompt libraries may be prepared beforehand, but game content must be created during the window, apart from declared sourced assets.

Each team submits once, choosing Unreal Engine or UEFN. Provide a packaged playable build or a fixed UEFN private-version code, plus 30–60 seconds of gameplay video at 1920×1080 or higher. Unreal entries need custom gameplay beyond starter templates. Entry information and game content must be English. A human entrant—not an automated agent—must submit.

Check eligibility and the prize distinction

There is no purchase requirement. Entrants must be 18+, hold a valid active Epic account and satisfy the rules' residency restrictions. This is not unrestricted worldwide eligibility: excluded jurisdictions include Italy and the territories listed in the rules. The October 26 revision permits Brazilian residents to participate but excludes them from cash prizes.

Main-category first prizes are US$7,500; the Solo Driver modifier is US$2,500. Prizes are per team, with payment and sharing handled through its owner; tax and verification requirements apply.

Continuation grants of up to US$50,000 are not contest prizes. Epic may invite selected teams to negotiate separate funding agreements, and has no obligation to award them.

Entrants must clear asset rights and grant Epic a broad, perpetual, royalty-free license for contest publicity. Our advice: read the complete official rules, choose the engine route, and test packaging before the jam begins.

Original sources

Release plans and availability can change. Check the original source for the latest information.

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