Think you have what it takes to build the next big game franchise? The Next Great IP Jam, organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Global Game Jam (GGJ), will challenge game developers to create franchise-worthy concepts that have the potential to become legendary intellectual property (IP).
Running from October 9 to 27, 2025, young game developers between the ages of 15 and 35 are invited to not only create a game, but also understand the role that IP plays throughout the creative and business process. Jammers will design games that have franchise potential, focusing on characters, branding, and merchandising.
Through tailored knowledge sessions led by experts from around the world, participants will learn how copyright, trademarks, patents and design rights can protect and strengthen their creations, ensuring that the ideas they develop during the jam are truly IP-ready and capable of growing into sustainable franchises.
“Video games bring together technology, culture, and creativity to tell exciting new stories, and that makes them a treasure trove of intellectual property,” said Todd Reves, head of WIPO’s IP and Youth Empowerment Strategy. “From the code, gameplay and characters, to the storytelling, music, branding and merchandising, every part of a game can be protected and strengthened by IP, such as copyright, trademarks, trade secrets, designs, and even patents.”
“Too often, game developers don’t realize the importance of IP until it’s too late,” Global Game Jam executive director Maria Burns Ortiz said. “Next Great IP Jam will show developers why this is something you should be thinking about as soon as you start brainstorming, and we’ll make it fun.”
This collaboration with GGJ is part of WIPO’s IP-YES! initiative, which seeks to spark passion about IP among young creators, innovators and entrepreneurs, help them build skills to leverage the tools and services available to them, and empower them to protect, and scale their creative and innovative ventures.
The best games from each region will be announced on the week of November 17, 2025. Winners will receive mentorship from industry leaders and a range of exclusive opportunities to showcase their work, develop their skills and build their networks. For more information or to sign up, visit: www.globalgamejam.org/wipo.
