The fifth edition of the SwkGDC Game Jam has concluded at TEGAS Digital Village, bringing together seven teams for a 66-hour game development challenge centred on this year’s theme, “Roots.”
Supported by Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS), the Game Jam was formed under the wider Borneo Animation & Games Festival (BAGF) 2026 programme as a BAGF 2026 satellite event.
TEGAS, established in 2012, is a Sarawak-based organisation focused on developing youth talent through education, digital innovation and entrepreneurship. Its initiatives include programmes that support Sarawak’s digital creative ecosystem and provide opportunities for young people to develop skills and pursue careers in emerging industries.
The SwkGDC Game Jam was hosted at TEGAS Digital Village, providing participants with a dedicated space to collaborate and develop their projects. The programme was hosted by CtrlD Studio, with the Game Jam also organised in partnership with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Passion Republic Games.
66 Hours to Explore the Theme “Roots”
For this year’s Game Jam, participants were challenged to interpret the theme “Roots” through their own game concepts.
The theme provided an open-ended starting point, allowing teams to explore different interpretations through their stories, gameplay mechanics, characters, environments and visual direction.
Over the course of 66 hours, the seven teams moved from initial brainstorming and concept development into the production of their playable projects. With a limited development window, teams had to quickly establish their direction, divide responsibilities and determine which ideas could realistically be completed within the timeframe.
As development progressed, participants worked across different aspects of game creation, including programming, game design, art, sound, testing and polishing. The process also required teams to continuously adapt their ideas. Some concepts had to be simplified, while others were refined as participants discovered new possibilities during development.
Mentors Guide Teams Through Development
Mentorship was another key component of the Game Jam. Throughout the development period, participants had opportunities to check in with mentors and receive feedback on their projects. The mentor sessions allowed teams to discuss their progress, identify problems and receive perspectives from more experienced members of the game development industry.
As the deadline approached, the teams completed their final mentor check-in before entering the final stage of development. This final stretch saw participants focusing on testing, fixing issues and polishing their games ahead of submission. With only hours remaining, teams had to make final decisions about which features to prioritise and how to present their completed projects.
Seven Teams Take the Stage
Following the 66-hour development period, all seven teams submitted their games and moved into the presentation and judging stage at TEGAS Digital Village. Each team presented its project to the judges, introducing its interpretation of “Roots” and demonstrating the gameplay and features developed during the Game Jam.
The presentations offered the teams an opportunity to explain the creative decisions behind their projects, while giving the judges a closer look at how each team had approached the theme within the limited development timeframe. This was then followed by a judging and discussion session, where the panel evaluated the participating projects across different aspects of game development.
Winners Announced at BAGFest 2026
The results were announced during the prize-giving ceremony at BAGFest 2026 at The Hills Kuching, marking the conclusion of the Game Jam. Three teams were recognised across the following categories:
- Best Game Mechanic: “Root of All Evil” — Team Xyche
- Best Art Direction: “Pour Decisions” — Team Dinnerbone
- Most Memorable: “Playback” — Team PAWSE
The ceremony also highlighted the connection between the Game Jam and BAGF 2026, with the SwkGDC Game Jam serving as one of the festival’s satellite events.
BAGF 2026 brought together the animation, games and digital creative industries in Kuching, featuring industry programmes, showcases, talks, workshops and community activities. The satellite Game Jam extended this programme by giving emerging game developers a platform to create and showcase their work as part of the wider festival ecosystem.
A Platform for Sarawak’s Emerging Game Developers
Beyond the competition, the SwkGDC Game Jam provided participants with hands-on experience in developing a game from concept to playable project under a strict deadline.
The 66-hour format challenged teams to collaborate closely, manage limited resources and adapt their ideas throughout the development process. The combination of mentorship, peer collaboration and final presentations also gave participants opportunities to learn from the wider game development community.
Having supported the SwkGDC Game Jam remotely for the past three years, it was also thrilling for us to finally experience the event and everything it had to offer in-person. We’d like to once again congratulate all seven participating teams, especially Team Xyche, Team Dinnerbone and Team PAWSE on their respective wins; and hope to see more Game Jams for years to come.
