Jiwe Game 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 – Workshop: Games of Skill & Competitive Design
- Balancing competitive gameplay mechanics and pacing
- Designing for replayability and esports potential
Friday, May 9, 2025 – Panel: African Game Developers in the Global Market
- Case studies of successful educational games
- Strategies for gamifying learning
Thursday, May 15, 2025 – Developer Panel: Monetisation in Game Development (Leti Arts & )
- Success stories and challenges from local developers
- Pathways to international publishing and distribution
Friday, May 16 – Sunday, May 18, 2025 – 48-Hour Game Jam
- Teams collaborate to create game prototypes based on the selected themes
- Live streaming of progress and development insights
- Sunday, May 18: Final presentations awarding and structured feedback
Friday, May 23, 2025 – Developer Talk: Post-Jam Development & Publishing (Unity publishing and XR)
- Taking a prototype to a full game release
- Funding and publishing opportunities
June 2025: Game Refinement Sessions
(Weekly 7pm to 8pm)
Thursday, June 5, 2025 – Developer Session: Ethical Storytelling in Games
- Balancing narrative choices with player agency
- Exploring morality systems in game design
Friday, June 6, 2025 – Workshop: From Prototype to MVP
- Iterating on feedback to improve game mechanics
- Testing and refining core gameplay loops
Thursday, June 12, 2025 – Developer Session: Monetisation Strategies Deep Dive
- Exploring ad revenue, micro-transactions, and premium models
- Case studies from African studios
Friday, June 13, 2025 – Technical Workshop: Scaling Games for Different Platforms
- Optimizing games for mobile, PC, and console
- Cross-platform considerations
Thursday, June 19, 2025 – Showcase Event: Game Night (Round 2)
- Public play-testing with updated versions of the jam games
- Live voting and community engagement
Friday, June 20, 2025 – Developer Session: Community & Open Source Game Development
- How collaborative development benefits game projects
- Open-source tools and frameworks
Thursday, June 26, 2025 – Panel: Building Africa’s Gaming Industry
- Local and international leaders discuss the future of African game development
- Networking opportunities for developers and investors
Friday, June 27, 2025 – Showcase Event: 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
