What happens when game developers and enthusiasts get together for a weekend to create a game? Is it possible? What can they possibly create? These and more are what the annual Global Game Jam seeks to answer. 

Every year towards the end of January, game developers, game studios, gaming enthusiasts, writers, programmers, designers, illustrators and other creatives gather for a full weekend to create a new game from scratch, in 48 hours. 

This year’s Global Game Jam will happen from January 31st to February 2nd worldwide. As is the tradition, a theme for the game will be announced on Friday, the first day of the jam. Jam Sites across the world will then get to work ideating, and creating a game based on that theme. 

The Global Game Jam is a great way for gaming communities across the world to network and collaborate. in that collaboration, participants can find opportunities to grow and expand skillsets, find exciting new jobs and be more deeply entrenched in the local gaming community.

Global Game Jam 2019 Locations in Africa

Africa is not left out of the thrill of this game hackathon. 37 (an increase from last year’s 33 ) jam Sites have registered to participate in 20 countries (an increase from last year’s 18 countries) across the continent. Each location has specific rules governing them so be sure to click on locations close to you to read them. 

In Ghana, where we’re based, there are four jam sites. Namely, Leti Arts, The Den in Tema, Ashesi University, and Phare Hill in Accra. 

Below are the jam sites across Africa. 

Ghana

Morocco

Nigeria

South Africa

Tunisia

Zambia

2020 Global Game Jam Theme

Every game jam is guided by a theme. The structure of a jam is usually that everyone gathers on Friday late afternoon, watches a short video keynote with advice from leading game developers, and then a secret theme is announced. All sites worldwide are then challenged to make games based on that same theme, with games to be completed by Sunday afternoon.

Last year’s theme was Transmission and the year before, Waves. Other themes in the past were:

• 2009 – “As long as we have each other, we will never run out of problems”
• 2010 – “Deception” (plus extra timezone-specific themes, including “The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain”)
• 2011 – “Extinction”
• 2012 – An image of Ouroboros.
• 2013 – Sound of a Heartbeat
• 2014 – “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.
• 2015 – “What do we do now?
• 2016 – “Ritual”
• 2017 – “Waves”
• 2018 – “Transmission”
• 2019 – “What home means to you”

Diversifiers, fun, optional challenges to add to the theme of GGJ19 are available at this page. Check out all the games developed at Global Game Jams since 2009 here. 

It will be a long weekend so best go prepared with enough change of clothes, snacks and your computer(s). Some venues offer free snacks while others sell them. Again, read the rules and descriptions of each location to get a sense of what’s in store for you. Pack some toiletries, water and your own snacks for comfort.

That’s it! Have fun with thousands of game enthusiasts across the world creating something beautiful.

Happy jamming!

---

GGJ20 is sponsored by Microsoft (headliner), Unreal Engine (champion), Buildbox (Champion) and Sony Interactive Entertainment (champion), and in partnership with Houdini Indie, Poki, DDM with support from Overclocked Legal, AirConsole, Valve, Plan of Attack, Tripple Topping and Prosearium.net. Learn more about these sponsors and partners here.