Ludum Dare schedules final jam for October 2028, with April 2029 encore likely

October 2028 is set as the final scheduled Ludum Dare game jam, according to Game Developer. The r/Games post appeared on April 16, 2026 at 19:35 UTC and passed 300 upvotes, with comments leaning sad but grateful rather than angry.

Game Developer reports that event co-founder Mike Kasprzak laid out a three-year wind-down: six more scheduled events, then a goodbye celebration in October 2028. Kasprzak also said an April 2029 encore is likely, but framed it as outside the normal scheduled cadence. In practical terms, October 2028 is the last planned Ludum Dare on the calendar.

What changes for developers

Ludum Dare has been one of game development's most recognizable jams for decades. Its short-format structure helped shape prototypes, portfolios, and community habits around making something playable under severe time pressure. Game Developer notes that the jam's history includes projects and creators connected to games such as Celeste and Inscryption.

Final scheduled event: October 2028

Remaining plan: six more events over three years

Possible extra event: April 2029 encore

Source: Game Developer via r/Games

Kasprzak's explanation centers on stewardship rather than a single operational failure. He encouraged others to build spiritual successors, but asked them not to use the Ludum Dare name. Game Developer also notes that some community members want clearer succession or a handoff, while Kasprzak argues that the project needs a clear leader and that no suitable transfer path exists.

The thread reaction matched the tone of a long-running scene losing an institution. Developers credited Ludum Dare with getting them started, described the shutdown as bittersweet, and pointed out that ending on a planned schedule is different from disappearing after a crisis. The concrete takeaway is now a date: October 2028 closes the regular Ludum Dare calendar.