Jiwe Community Jams
Jiwe Game Jams Set to Ignite Kenyan Game Development at NGDC 2025
Nairobi, Kenya – Jiwe Studio is thrilled to announce the launch of Jiwe Game Jams at the Nairobi Game Development Conference (NGDC) 2025, an ambitious year-long initiative designed to accelerate game development in Kenya and across Africa. The program will include structured game jams, workshops, and mentorship sessions featuring industry leaders from Unity, local studios, and international experts. With a focus on African folklore, AI-driven gameplay, social impact storytelling, and monetization strategies, Jiwe Game Jams aims to foster creativity, collaboration, and market growth within the Kenyan game development community.
The event series will run across four quarters, starting with a kickoff in April 2025 and culminating in the Jiwe Game Awards in December. Developers, artists, and storytellers will have the opportunity to create, refine, and showcase their projects while leveraging Jiwe IO’s platform for feedback, funding, and community support. Activities will include developer talks, hands-on technical workshops, game prototype showcases, and expert-led panels on industry trends and ethical storytelling. A structured donation model will also be integrated, allowing participants to gain financial backing for their projects.
Jiwe Game Jams expects to engage over 100 developers, produce 20+ game prototypes, and significantly enhance the visibility of Kenyan-developed games on both local and international platforms. By providing a robust framework for mentorship, funding, and exposure, Jiwe Studio is committed to elevating Africa’s gaming industry and empowering the next generation of game creators. For registration details, visit https://jiwe.io/game-jams
Activities & Timeline
April 2025: Kickoff & Weekly Developer Talks 7pm to 8pm EAT
Friday, April 4, 2025 – Launch Event
- Keynotes from industry partners (Unity, local studios, international guests)
- Overview of themes and objectives
- Introduction to Jiwe IO as the jam’s hosting platform
Thursday, April 10, 2025 – Developer Talk: African Folklore in Games
- Panel discussion with storytellers and historians
- Case studies of games built on folklore
- How to translate oral traditions into interactive experiences
Panel:
- Arnold Mwanjila - (Kenya) Usiku Games
- Khumo Moerane - (SA) ITTHYNKGAMING
- Robertson Nortey - (Ghana) Leti Arts
Event and Video Link: https://jiwe.io/game-jams/jiwe-jams-developer-talk-african-folklore-in-games
Friday, April 17, 2025 – Workshop: Building Social Impact Games
- Designing meaningful narratives
- Incorporating community voices in game development
- 3D Art workflow of an Award Winning 3D Artist in both Game and Animated Film
Presented by - Kennedy Kyalo
Event and Video Link: https://jiwe.io/game-jams/workshop-building-social-impact-games
Thursday, April 17, 2025 – Developer Talk: AI in Game Design Case Study AI Driven Cars in Unreal Engine
- Explore the power of Unreal Engine for vehicle simulation
- Get step-by-step guidance on implementing AI behaviors in vehicles
- Engage on how to develop stunning matatu-style designs
- Engage with an expert developerAI-driven storytelling and procedural generation
Presented by Ian Okinda
Event and Video Link: https://jiwe.io/game-jams/workshop-developing-aidriven-cars-in-unreal-engine
May 2025: Skill Development & Game Jam Preparation (Weekly 7pm-8pm EAT)
Thursday, May 1, 2025 – Unity Roadmap, Opportunities & getting started with Unity AI with Muse
- Unity Roadmap for 2025
- Global opportunities at Unity
- Getting Started with Unity AI with Muse
Event and Video Link:
Thursday, May 8, 2025 – Developer Talk: Hyper-Casual Games & Cross-Platform Publishing
We're thrilled to invite you to a deep-dive session into the fast-paced world of hyper-casual games and the realities of cross-platform publishing!
Join us this Thursday for an exciting talk with Evans Kiragu, CEO of Mekan Games, as he unpacks what makes hyper-casual games click, how to scale across platforms, and the behind-the-scenes journey of “The President”, a chart-topping hit that made it into the Top 10 in 13 countries on Google Play! Whether you're a game dev, designer, or just curious about the industry—this is your chance to learn, connect, and level up your game.
Don't miss this opportunity– bring your questions and curiosity!
Event and Video Link: https://jiwe.io/game-jams/developer-talk-hypercasual-mechanics-and-crossplatform-publishing
Friday, May 15, 2025 – Workshop: Using Music to Animate 3D Environments
Dive into the mesmerizing fusion of sound and visuals!
Join us for an immersive workshop exploring how music can breathe life into 3D environments. Whether you're a game developer, animator, musician, or just passionate about interactive art, this session will unlock creative techniques to sync audio with dynamic 3D worlds!
What to expect:
- Techniques for procedural animation driven by music,
- Tools & workflows for real-time audio-reactive environments,
Don’t miss this chance to blend rhythm and motion bring your creativity and let’s animate the soundscape together!
Event and Video Link: https://jiwe.io/game-jams/workshop-using-music-to-animate-3d-environments-
Thursday, May 22, 2025 – Workshop: Visual Game Design – A Hangman’s Perspective
Sharpen your artistic edge and learn how the “hangman’s view” can transform the way you frame characters, craft suspense, and guide a player’s eye through a scene. Perfect for game developers, concept artists, level designers, and anyone curious about the storytelling power of visuals.
We will explore:
- Framing & composition tricks that hook players instantly,
- Using light, shadow, and negative space to build tension,
- Rapid blocking methods for cinematic level layouts,
- Possibly direct case studies from iconic titles,
Event and Video Link: https://jiwe.io/game-jams/workshop-visual-game-design-a-hangmans-perspective
Thursday, May 30, 2025 – Workshop: How to use Unity AI tools in Game Jams
Join Manuel from Unity for a hands-on dive into Unity AI tools – Muse, Unity’s powerful suite of AI tools designed to supercharge your workflow creating games. Whether you're a solo dev or part of a team, learn how to prototype faster, generate assets on the fly, and test gameplay ideas with AI assistance as we get ready for the 48hr game jam!!
Event and Video Link: https://jiwe.io/game-jams/workshop-how-to-use-unity-ai-tools-in-games
Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8, 2025 – 48-Hour Community Game Jam
Africa's Biggest 48Hr Community Game Jam Hosted by JIWE Community
Kicking us off into Creative Chaos!
All Sessions will be Hybrid! Online on Discord and In-person at Nairobi Game Development Center, Leti Arts in Accra, Johannesburg - Tshimologong Game Lab
Power up your gaming creativity and compete in 48 hours of nonstop game creation – from electrifying musical games to hyper casual hits and socially impactful anti-slavery narratives. Join the continent’s boldest devs, artists, and storytellers on the continent!
Themes:
- Audio-Driven Innovative Games
- Web-based Hyper Casual Games
- Anti-Slavery Games
Prizes for Each Category:
- 3-Month Incubation at a Leading African Game Studio (Includes Mentorship, Workspace & Development Support)
- User Acquisition Credits to Grow Your Game Audience
- Cash Awards
Limited Slots available so sign up now at : https://jiwe.io/game-jams/jiwe-community-48hr-game-jam
June 2025: Game MVP to Prototype ARC (Refinement Sessions)(Weekly 7pm to 8pm)
Thursday, June 19, 2025 – Workshop: From Feedback from Prototype to MVP - A Creative Director's Perspective - Jake Manion
- Iterating on feedback to improve game mechanics
- Testing and refining core gameplay loops
Thursday, June 26, 2025 – Developer Talk: Post-Jam Development & Publishing (Unity publishing and XR)
- Taking a prototype to a full game release
- Funding and publishing opportunities
Thursday, July 3, 2025 – Developer Session: Monetisation Strategies Deep Dive
- Exploring ad revenue, micro-transactions, and premium models
- Case studies from African studios
Thursday, July 10, 2025 – Event: Community Game Night & Game Rankings and Panel: Building Africa’s Gaming Industry
- Public play-testing with updated versions of the jam games
- Live voting and community engagement
About the panel
- Local and international leaders discuss the future of African game development
- Networking opportunities for developers and investors
About the Mid-Year Game Night & Game Rankings
- Top games presented with public feedback
- Recognition of standout teams and innovative projects
- Recap of learnings and success stories
- Closing and Planning for the next iteration of the program
