The 5th annual PICO-8 1K Jam (#Pico1k) has now started! π₯³
π https://itch.io/jam/pico-1k-2025
You have until the end of September to make cool things in PICO-8 (or Picotron)
...by using only 1K (1024) Compressed Bytes of code ποΈ
No using of built-in Gfx, Map or Sound data (or external files)
ALL content must be created using code submitted.
It can be a:
πΉοΈ Game
ποΈ Demo (Animated or Interactive)
π οΈ Tool or Utility
...whatever you can fit within 1KB, basically!
It's a relaxed, non-competitive jam, running for a whole month.
Please refer to the PICO-1K 2025 Jam page for Rules, FAQ & Resources & more info.
Yaaay, let's go! Can't wait to see what kind of demoscene wizardry people pull out of the hat this year.
> No using of built-in Gfx, Map or Sound data
I don't understand this rule. Does this mean we can't use the sound and gfx editor in pico-8?
> Does this mean we can't use the sound and gfx editor in pico-8?
That's correct, @zangman.
All Gfx, Map, SFX or Music needs to be generated by code that totals <= 1024 KB.
For example, instead of drawing sprites in editor - you use drawing functions in code (e.g. CIRCFILL, LINE, etc).
The simplest check is: if you copy your source code (only) and paste it into a completely new instance of PICO-8, does your cart still run as expected?
Hope this helps π€
You can use the built-in editors to create your art and music assets, but the data can't be stored in the spritesheet or sound memory, it needs to be converted to string, table, or command form and included as part of your code.
I have created things with P8SCII that I could never create by hand :)
@zangman, for info on how to store data as strings see https://www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=38692 and https://www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=34058
Thanks @Liquidream @JadeLombax for explaining. That makes it more clear.
Thanks @bikibird - that's very interesting. I'm still new to pico-8, but it does look like an interesting hack. Need to see how to incorporate it.
Cool, it's pico 1-k jam again. @Liquidream I was hoping you'd do the jam again this year. It's become a tradition for me now π
@lumbar527 very good question.
Absolutely, as it's always there by default when PICO-8 starts up π
So, as far as I'm concerned, it's part of the console, just like default font/glyphs.
(I'll probably have to update the rules/FAQ now! π)
Whoa, congrats to everyone who brought their idea to life this year! The last time PICO-1K saw this many submissions was back in 2022.
Wonder if the new version of P8 caught people's attention?
I didn't know about Pico-8 4 months ago... What a shame... Pico-8 is just pure FUN!!!
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