GameJamPlus 26/27, described as the World Cup of game development, is landing in Pakistan from October 16 to 18, 2026, running simultaneously at CEGA Lahore and CEGA Karachi. Billed as the world’s biggest game development marathon and an official IGDA game jam, the event has previously drawn more than 50 countries, 17,500 creators, 2,500 games built and 100 cities into a single global competition, and Pakistan is now joining that roster for the first time through CEGA’s two city venues.
Participants get 48 hours to build a playable game entirely from scratch, along with a pitch video running three to five minutes, with English subtitles, that presents the game and its accompanying business plan. The format is open to developers, artists, designers, writers, sound creators, marketers and producers, whether beginner or veteran, and whether working solo or in a team of three to six, with no prior game required since everything is built during the jam itself.
What begins as a single weekend can extend into a much longer journey. Teams start with the game jam itself, then move into incubation to refine their build with mentors, followed by continental semifinals against their region, an acceleration stage where they pitch to investors, and potentially a global final on April 20, 2027, held during Gamescom Latam week. Across this six-month path, more than 15 prizes are on offer, with trophies awarded across categories including Art, Audio, Game Design, Narrative, Best PC Game, Best Mobile Game, Best Build, Best Pitch and Game of the Year, alongside regional winners and special categories such as Eduplay, Green Play, Diverse by Design and Campus Mode, each carrying a $100 prize.
Build submissions close Sunday, October 18, at 11:59 PM, with pitch submissions due Tuesday, October 20, at 11:59 PM. Registration is free, and interested developers can sign up at cega.com.pk/game-jam-plus. For Pakistani game developers, the event offers a rare, structured pathway from a local weekend jam at CEGA’s own facilities all the way to international recognition on a stage shared with developers from dozens of other countries.
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