The Global Game Jam (GGJ) has announced a partnership with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) to launch the Checkpoint Game Jam, an international game development event bringing together developers from across Southeast Asia.
The jam invites participants from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore to design games that promote pro-social behavior, digital resilience, and safer, more inclusive online communities. At its core, the initiative focuses on preventing violent extremism, challenging developers to create experiences that help players recognize and counter the pathways to radicalization to violence before they take hold.
A Three-Phase Competition Structure
Checkpoint Game Jam will run across three distinct phases, with deliverables at each stage:
- Phase 1: 2-Day Sprint (October 15–16, 2026)
- Deliverable: Game Concept Brief
- Phase 2: 2-Week Development (October 17–31, 2026)
- Deliverable: Prototype + 2-Minute Trailer
- Phase 3: 2-Month Extended Jam (November 15, 2026 – January 10, 2027)
- Deliverable: Polished playable prototype
Following the first two phases, the top 20 teams (five from each participating country) will be selected to advance to the extended two-month jam.
Tokyo Pitching Opportunity
One representative from each selected team will be sent to Tokyo to pitch their project in the finals, with travel and accommodation fully covered by Checkpoint Game Jam. The finalist teams will compete for funding to build their games, with up to five teams invited to Tokyo during the week of February 15, 2027.
Eligibility and Registration
The jam is open to developers in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Teams from outside the region can join if at least 50% of the team is from those four countries. Every individual must complete the registration form, not just team leaders, with submissions due by October 31, 2026.
Participants will have access to expert-led webinars, curated resources, and a Tips & Tricks playbook to support their development efforts. The official jam theme will be announced during the Checkpoint Game Jam Kick Off Livestream on October 15 at 10:00 AM UTC+8.
Event Details
- Format: Fully online
- Team Size: Solo to unlimited team members
- Age Requirement: 18+
- Platform: Hosted on itch.io, with updates and team-finding on the Global Game Jam Discord
- Engines: Any engine works; AI use is allowed but must be disclosed
Register for Checkpoint Game Jam:
- Registration Form: https://lnkd.in/gTqd-fPp
- itch.io Page: https://lnkd.in/g6eThFqy
