Ludum Dare will officially end in October 2028
Long-running game jam Ludum Dare is winding down and will be officially laid to rest in October 2028.
Event co-founder Mike Kasprzak shared the news in a lengthy blog post where he confirmed plans to host six more events over the next three years.
After that, Kasprzak hopes to organize an encore event in April 2029 but insisted the October 2028 event will be the final scheduled jam.
"Take note that Ive chosen my words carefully: scheduled. Knowing myself, it's likely the big six-four will become such a fun memorable event for me, that I'm gonna want one more. Maybe two?," he wrote.
"Those of us that have been around since the beginning know that April is Ludum Dare month. Its the one thing I will take full responsibility for: convincing everyone involved that if it's April, we need to run a Ludum Dare.
"So with that, I do intend to run an encore event in April of 2029. That will be the end-end though. Do note this isn't a 'scheduled' Ludum Dare event, even though I am telling you it's going to happen. October 2028 will be Ludum Dare's goodbye celebration event. After that, Ludum Dare will return 'as needed.'"
Kasprzak previously cancelled all scheduled Ludum Dare events in 2025 in order to take a break and reset for a number of personal reasons.
In his latest update, he encouraged disappointed community members to consider carrying the torch by organizing their own spiritual successor, but asked they refrain from using the Ludum Dare name.
"I want our legacy go on, but this name (this era) should end," he added. "Again I don't think its enough to just copy us or wear our name-tag. I want you to be better, and I'm even going to show you what makes us good and bad, for 3 more years. I want this community, my community, to have a better home. I want our ending to be bittersweet. I need you to make us obsolete."
He also claimed it would be impossible to hand custody of the event over to someone else because there is no longer a suitable candidate. "Who could I actually pass the event on to anyway? A vague notion of 'the community' isn't a leader. Projects need a leader to … well… lead," he continued.
"I did have one person in mind: Long time game jam cheerleader Christer 'McFunkyPants' Kailtila was on the top of my short list, but after he shut down One Game a Month after 6 years, it became more clear we were in uncharted territory. It's basically me, Linus Torvalds, and a bunch of old-ass-CEO's that are still around running projects decades after creating them.
"I've done my best to keep up with the folks involved in the community, but past a certain point you just can't. I want to and I do try, but theres still just one me."
The Ludum Dare community expressed their gratitude and sadness in the comments under Kasprzak's post, but not everyone is happy with how the situation is being handled.
In a lengthy reply on the Ludum Dare forum, entitled 'A Better Ludum Dare; or, How to Ruin a Legacy,' prominent community member 'Sheepolution' criticized Kasprzak for refusing to let someone else take charge of the Ludum Dare brand.
They also described his promise of a continuation in some form—perhaps in the guise of more spontaneous, celebratory events—as "vague" and suggested the legacy of Ludum Dare is being placed at risk.
"The current envisioned future for Ludum Dare is blurry. Personally, I'm not convinced I'll participate in an event that is not called Ludum Dare, but perhaps over the years I'll be able to get used to the idea. Regardless, Mike should communicate more clearly what we as a community, and what potential creators of a future Ludum Dare, can expect," they wrote.
"But far more preferable would be if Mike was convinced that they should in fact pass on the torch. That is no easy task. I myself host an annual game jam, and I can't imagine passing that onto someone else if I ever decide to quit. Will that person do as good as a job as you did? Maybe not at first. But they will learn, and grow, and maybe, eventually, turn it into something even better."
In a response shared on Bluesky, Kasprzak said he would have preferred feedback that was "less hostile and more constructive."
