Global Game Jam 2023

Global Game Jam 2023: niu – Kuwait
31th January – 5th February 2023 at niu – Business District One

What is Global Game Jam?

It’s an annual hackathon-ish global event that we host one the Kuwaiti site of, where participants make games over the weekend following a specific theme. It is NOT about coming with a video game idea wanting to find skilled people to fulfil. And it is NOT a competition. There are no winners or losers, firsts or lasts. Only people collaborating and making games and having fun 😀

Who is it for?

Anyone who’s interesting in making games; Game designers, programmers, artists, 3D modeler, musicians, story writers, Superman, Batman, the shy guy in that corner! Everyone! As long as you’re interested in making games with a team of strangers! And since you’re reading this, most likely you too! This isn’t exclusive to video games only; board and card games are welcome too!

What’s the schedule like?

Wednesday 1 – February

  • 12:00 – Opening doors and registration
  • 14:00 – Introductions keynotes, rules, and theme reveal
  • 15:00 – Brainstorming break
  • 16:00 – Ideas pitching, teams formation, and teams and members registration online
  • 17:00 – Closing doors

Thursday 2 – February

  • 09:00 – Opening doors
  • 22:00 – Closing doors

Friday 3 – February:

  • 14:00 – Opening doors
  • 17:00 – Deadline for teams formation
  • 22:00 – Closing doors

Saturday 4 – February:

  • 14:00 – Opening doors
  • 15:00 – Projects submission
  • 16:00 – Demos and Game Jam’s conclusion
  • 19:00 – Closing doors

Where’s the event happening?

This wouldn’t have happened without niu’s generous collaboration to host and save this from unforeseen events of cancellation:

What skills do I need to participate?

This event is not meant for professionals. But if you are, it’ll be a wonderful addition, but it’s not necessary.

You can try to fill any role you believe it aligns with your interest, or try a totally different role to learn something new or for lolz and giggles. There were instances participants became programmers because of their previous game jams.

Though, it will help a lot if you’re skilled somewhere. You can make wonderful games with only stick figures or cropping existing pictures.

You don’t have to be skilled to participate. Having little to none experience is good enough to participate.

We also have seasoned jammers who are eager and happy to help. We’re all here to jam and have fun making games and to introduce talents to an unexplored world for them to be immersed in.

Am I limited to a set of software?

Not at all! You can use whatever software or tool you’re familiar with. However, please make sure that you have the appropriate rights to use these tools.

Here’s a list of free-ish/open source software you could start with:

If you are student, you might want to check what software can you get for free or low cost (By low cost, maybe peanuts). I know for sure Adobe have a package for students because I’m doing that.

Can I use projects made before?

No, you can’t. One of this event’s purposes of this event is to make new video games following a specific theme. You can, however, you snippets and scripts that covers functions and assets (Graphics, sounds, etc), not pre-made projects to be adjusted.

Do I have to bring my team?

Not at all! In fact, you’re encouraged not to arrive as a team to join a team of strangers. This event is to collaborate and build networks with people who want to make video games! So, no, you don’t have to form a team before joining.

Are there any special rules?

Of course, there are! Here’s a list of rules in total:

  • Participants must be 16+ years old or accompanied by an adult.
  • Participants must be in Kuwait.
  • Participants must be physically in the venue for most of the days.
  • Participants must not use premade projects.
  • Participants may use premade scripts, snippets, and assets. However, participants must check their copyrights compatibilities.
  • Participants have all the rights for their projects. However, local and international Global Game Jam organizers have the right to market and advertise submitted projects.
  • Teams must be formed on the first day of the event after ideas pitching.
  • Team members can change teams until the 3-February 19:00 (7:00 pm).
  • Participants who can’t find a team will either team together, join other teams, be a solo developer, or have their registration revoked.
  • All games must follow Global Game Jam’s theme.
  • The theme will only be revealed as scheduled.
  • Organizers have the right to deny participants from participating in order to protect the event’s success.
  • Organizers have the right to reject games and projects ideas to protect the event’s success.
  • Organizers have the right to ban participants if they believe their participation is threatening the event’s success.

I have so many questions to ask, what do I do?

You can easily contact me by sending me an email: webmaster at q8geeks dot org.
Or, you can reach me on Instagram/Twitter at @Q8GEEK

How can I register?