SD-8516 Summer Game Jam

  \\\ Not for distribution prior to April 1st, 2026 \\\

The SD-8516 Summer Game Jam is an exciting opportunity for retro computing enthusiasts, hobbyist developers, and fans of 1970s/1980s arcade and home console classics to create games for the SD-8516 platform!

The SD-8516 is a retro-inspired fantasy console system designed in the spirit of classic 8/16-bit machines like the Commodore 64 and the SNES. It supports programming in:

• Stellar BASIC
• Star Forth (a FORTH implementation)
• Assembly Language

Documentation, including the User's Guide, Programmer's Reference Guide, language tutorials, and example programs, is available at: https://appledog.ca (check the wiki sections for SD-8516 specifics).

1. Developer Beta Phase (April–May 2026)

• Sign up for early/beta access to the SD-8516 system by sending a private message (DM) to me on Reddit (u/AppledogHu) or via Discord.

During this 1–2 month window, you'll explore the hardware, learn the programming environments, experiment, and decide on your game. There is no obligation.

2. Game Proposal Submission

• Submit a game proposal; the game name, what language (BASIC, FORTH or Assembly), and some information about your game (i.e. what kind of game it is).

The proposed game must be a version of a classic home console or arcade game from the 1970s or 1980s – (think Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, Jumpman, Loderunner, and so on! Get creative within the constraints of the platform!).

Proposals will be reviewed, and accepted entrants will be notified.

3. Development Phase (June–July 2026)

• Accepted developers get 60 days to complete and polish their game.

• During this time I will make myself available to answer questions about the development environment. I will be on discord, reddit, and you can send me e-mail.

• Overall Best Game: $1,000 USD
• 2nd Place: $500 USD
• 3rd place 'Best in Category' (one each):
  • Best BASIC game: $200 USD
  • Best FORTH game: $200 USD
  • Best Assembly Language game: $200 USD

Prizes awarded based on creativity, playability, faithfulness to the retro inspiration, technical execution on the SD-8516, and overall fun factor. Judging details will be shared closer to submission.

• By entering and accepting a prize, winners grant distribution rights to Appledog for publishing the games on our webpage as part of this paid contest. You retain your own distribution rights as well.
• This is a community-focused jam to celebrate retro computing, retro programming and share cool projects with each other!
• Keep an eye on our Discord, Reddit and Wiki for updates, beta access announcements, proposal templates/examples, and more!

If you're interested in the beta or have questions, send me a private message! I'm here to answer your questions.

Who's ready to code some pixel-perfect retro magic? Show me your power!

(Tell your friends! Please help spread the news of the first SD-8516 Summer Game Jam!)