Design our next game: competition rules

Last updated October 2026. Plain-English rules. Questions: hello@skeletonlasergifts.co.uk.

1. Who runs it

The competition is run by Skeleton Laser Gifts ("we", "Paul"), the maker of Skeleton Games.

2. It is free

Entry is free and no purchase is necessary. You do not need to buy or play any of our games to enter, and buying or playing does not improve your chances. This is a prize competition judged on the quality of ideas, not a prize draw, and it is not a lottery.

3. Who can enter

Anyone aged 18 or over who lives in the United Kingdom, except people who work for us or are in the same household as someone who does. We may ask for proof of age and address from a winner.

4. How to enter

Fill in the form at https://games.skeletonlasergifts.co.uk/design-a-game/ with a game title, a short pitch, how it plays and why it is addictive, plus your name and email, and tick the box to agree to these rules. You can send up to 3 different ideas. Entries by bots, bulk entry services or on behalf of other people are not allowed.

5. What makes a good idea

Your idea must be your own and must not copy someone else's game, characters, music or artwork, or be offensive, unlawful or hateful. We build simple, ad-free games that play well on a phone in a browser, so ideas that fit that have the best chance. We can reject any entry that breaks these rules.

6. Closing date

The competition opens on 22 October 2026 and closes at the end of 6 December 2026. Entries received after that are not counted. We aim to choose the winner by 20 December 2026.

7. How the winner is chosen

Paul alone chooses the winner, looking at how original, catchy and addictive the idea is, and whether it can sensibly be built as one of our games. We may put a shortlist on this website for public votes. The votes are only a guide: Paul makes the final decision and it is final. We may also pick no winner if no entry is suitable.

8. The prize

• We will build the winning idea as a game. We will make a real effort to do it well, but we cannot promise a date, and we may change details of the idea so it works as a game. If the winning idea turns out to be impossible to build, we may choose another entry.
• The winner and one friend each get a free copy of the winning game when it is finished, through unlock codes. If we change how access works before then (for example a subscription), you will get equivalent free access to that game.
• The winner is named in the game's credits and in our announcement, using the name they entered (or a nickname of their choice).
• There is no cash alternative. The prize cannot be swapped or sold, and the winner's friend must be someone the winner chooses.

9. Your idea and your credit

You keep ownership of your idea and you will always be credited if it is used. By entering you give us permission to use, adapt, combine and build on any idea you send, in any of our games, for free, with no further payment (other than the prize if you win). Ideas that are not chosen may still inspire things we make, and we may already have had similar ideas. We will not sell your idea to anyone else.

10. Your details

We use your name and email only to run this competition and to contact the winner. We do not use them for marketing and we do not pass them on. We may show the title, pitch and your first name if your idea is shortlisted, never your email. We delete entries and email addresses within six months of announcing the winner, except what we need to keep for the winner's prize. See our privacy policy.

11. Telling the winner

We will email the winner and announce them on this website and on our social media. If the winner does not reply within 14 days we may choose someone else.

12. Social media

This competition is not run, sponsored or endorsed by Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or any other platform, and you are giving your details to us, not to them.

13. Changes and the law

If something outside our control forces us to, we may change or end the competition fairly and will say so on this page. These rules are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Nothing here affects your legal rights.