Ludum Dare Cancels 2025 Event: A Shift in the Game Development Landscape

Ludum Dare has called off its planned 2025 events, with organizer Mike Kasprzak explaining that he needs to take a break and reassess.

Two events were slated in the calendar for 2025: Ludum Dare 57 in April and Ludum Dare 58 in October. Both have now been canceled.

Kasprzak clarified that the long-standing event, recognized as the “world’s largest online game jam,” is not finished but simply on pause.

“I have chosen to cancel our planned events for 2025. This doesn’t imply that Ludum Dare is over, but I will not be organizing any events this year, nor can I contribute to related matters (not for several months),” Kasprzak stated in a message on the Ludum Dare website.

“Without delving into too much detail, I made this choice due to various financial, medical, family, and health issues. I value my privacy, but I will say that financially I’m currently in a tough situation, and I need to seek employment as soon as possible.”

Kasprzak noted that he has been searching for work since 2024 but has been “messed around” by the prolonged hiring processes of numerous companies and his attempts to secure positions from potential employers while still trying to maintain Ludum Dare.

“To be truthful, I’m uncertain when I’ll have everything figured out. It might be six weeks, or it could stretch to six months; I simply do not know. It’s a lot, and I’m a bit anxious, but I believe I’ll manage better with fewer responsibilities on my plate,” he continued. “I genuinely apologize for having to make this decision, but I need to prioritize taking care of myself and my family at this moment.”

Kasprzak encouraged the Ludum Dare community to follow the event’s official Bluesky account to stay updated while looking ahead.

About the Author