Global Game Jam and Games for Change Expand Collaboration to Empower Young Game Creators Worldwide
San Luis Obispo, California, USA - December 5th, 2025 - Global Game Jam® (GGJ) and Games for Change (G4C) are entering a new phase of their multi-year partnership to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and social impact among young game creators. Together, the organizations are launching two aligned initiatives for the 2025–2026 cycle: GGJ Next (for ages 10–18) and the G4C–GGJ Next Gen Expert Jam (for ages 18–25).
While the collaboration is already underway, the jam window is open until March 2026, giving participants around the world the opportunity to create digital games, tabletop games, character designs or game trailers addressing real-world challenges. Both programs support participants in developing games for the G4C Student Challenge, the world's largest social-impact game design competition for youth.
"Collaboration is a core tenet of Global Game Jam," GGJ executive director Maria Burns Ortiz said. "Partnering with Games for Change allows us both to bring our youth jams to a wider international audience in support of our shared mission to empower the next generation of game creators."
- Jam window: November 15, 2025 – March 15, 2026
- Games created during the jam may be submitted to the G4C Student Challenge, where the Game of the Year winner receives a USD $10,000 scholarship shared among the team.
- New for 2026: Global Game Jam will introduce country-level awards, recognizing standout GGJ Next submissions from each participating nation.
To Host a GGJ Next Site:
Those interested in hosting their own GGJ Next jam can begin by completing the GGJ Next Interest Form and registering their site at globalgamejam.org. Hosts should select "Host a Jam Site" and choose "GGJ Next" as their audience. After registration, a regional organizer will schedule a short interview to guide them through the process.
The jam structure is designed to align with school and after-school schedules, making participation more accessible for students worldwide.
To Join as a Jammer:
Young creators can participate through any registered local site. If no jam is available in their area, they can join virtually via the GGJ Next itch.io page.
Themes
The themes for GGJ Next 2026 are directly aligned with the G4C Student Challenge themes.
- Outgrow Hunger – Design a game where players care for a natural space that nourishes and supports a community. Inspire players to explore, protect, and grow their world. (more info)
- Own the Road – Create a game that promotes safer behavior in and around vehicles, reducing the risks associated with road environments. Games should educate, engage, and empower players to make smart, life-saving decisions on the road. (more info)
- All in for Nature: Reefs & Rainforests – Draw inspiration from the natural world. Focus on a reef or rainforest near your home, one you dream of visiting, or a fictional ecosystem of your own creation. Design a game that tells the story of a reef or rainforest under threat, and how communities come together to protect it. (more info)
-
Join as a Virtual Jammer
itch.io jam page will serve as the central hub for all the information and event schedule.
Note: Uploading to itch.io does not equal a G4C submission – participants must also submit through the G4C Portal.
-
Participate during Global Game Jam 2026 (January 26 – February 1)
Jammers can take part by selecting one of the three G4C Diversifiers during GGJ.
After uploading their GGJ project, participants receive instructions on submitting to the G4C Portal.
Participants may:
-
Submit their GGJ game as-is
-
Continue development until the March deadline
Post-GGJ, jammers will have access to feedback, mentors, and expert guidance.
-
Host an in-person jam at a college or university
To begin planning, contact Richard Hebblewhite, GGJ Director of Programs and Events: richard@globalgamejam.org
G4C Student Challenge Requirements (Ages 18–25)
- Games must be browser-playable via URL
- Must use a free/open development platform (Scratch, Unity, Construct, Co-Spaces, Twine, Godot, etc.)
- Must address one of the three themes:
- Outgrow Hunger
- Own the Road
- All in for Nature: Reefs & Rainforests
- Original work from teams of 1–4 creators
- Eligible formats: digital games, tabletop games, game trailers, character design
- Learn more: G4C Student Challenge Handbook
Awards
- G4C Game of the Year: USD $10,000 scholarship (shared among team members).
- Category recognitions:
- Best theme-based game (3 categories)
- Best tabletop game
- Best international game
- Best gameplay
- Best trailer
- Best Unity game
- New for 2026: GGJ will recognize one outstanding game from each participating GGJ country.
Participants must select "Attended a Student Challenge Game Jam" and "Yes, It was a Global Game Jam Event." when submitting via the G4C Portal.
About Global Game Jam
Global Game Jam is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower people around the world to learn, experiment, and create together through the medium of games. In addition to organizing the largest game jam in the world, GGJ works year-round to support, promote, and grow the global game development community.
About Games for Change
Since 2004, Games for Change (G4C) has empowered game creators, students, educators, and social innovators to drive real-world impact through games and immersive media.
The G4C Student Challenge is an international game design competition inviting youth to create digital games inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The program uses youth interest in video games to develop their skills in coding, digital design, and other essential future-ready competencies. The Student Challenge amplifies student voices, empowers young people to imagine creative solutions to social problems, and enables them to see themselves as engaged citizens and changemakers.
