The Global Game Jam 2026 Kochi edition will be held from January 24–26 at the Integrated Startup Complex, Kalamassery. Organised with SAIK Kerala, the free 48-hour event will bring developers, artists, and creators together to build playable games from scratch, encouraging collaboration, experimentation, and community participation within Kerala’s growing tech ecosystem.
Global Game Jam 2026 is set to return to Kerala with the Kochi edition confirmed for January 24–26, bringing together the state’s growing community of game developers, digital artists, designers, and technology enthusiasts for an intensive 48-hour creation marathon at the Integrated Startup Complex (ISC), Kalamassery. Organised with support from SAIK Kerala and coordinated by community facilitators Akhilesh, Nikhil Chandran, Mukesh, and Gokul Elayidath, the event will join the global roster of simultaneous game-building jams hosted across cities around the world as part of the Global Game Jam network.
The format of the event remains true to the internationally recognised jam structure. Participants will gather on the opening day for a brief orientation and to receive the global theme announced for the year. Once the theme is revealed, teams will begin developing games — from ideation and art to coding and sound design — with the goal of delivering a playable build within two days. While the jam encourages creativity and experimentation, it also emphasises collaboration, community, and peer learning, making it accessible not only to seasoned developers but also to beginners with an interest in interactive media. The organisers have positioned this year’s edition as a platform for developers in Kerala to showcase skills, discover talent, and contribute to a broader culture of game production.
Registration for the Kochi edition has opened with participation free of charge for individuals aged 18 and above. Prospective jammers are encouraged to share a portfolio as part of the screening and team formation process. The event is designed to accommodate a mix of backgrounds, including game developers, designers, visual artists, sound engineers, writers, and computer science students. The format remains non-competitive, in line with global jam guidelines, with the focus placed on completion, creative fulfilment, and team experience rather than prizes or rankings.
The decision to host the jam at the Integrated Startup Complex aligns with Kerala’s continuing momentum in nurturing a startup ecosystem that now spans software, gaming, animation, and broader digital media. The ISC provides an infrastructure-ready venue for high-intensity collaborative work, with shared spaces, breakout areas, and technical support that are especially suited to the demands of rapid prototyping events. The previous editions of the jam hosted in Kochi drew significant interest and demonstrated both the appetite and potential for game development as a creative and economic activity within the state. Organisers expect strong participation this year as well, particularly from students and young professionals looking to expand their portfolios or connect with industry networks.
As with all Global Game Jam chapters worldwide, the Kochi edition will culminate in a showcase where teams present their finished or work-in-progress builds to peers and mentors. Participants will also have the option to upload their games to the official Global Game Jam repository for global visibility and archival. Beyond the immediate excitement of game creation, the jam is recognised as an entry point for individuals aspiring to careers in gaming and interactive storytelling, fields that have seen accelerated growth across Asia in recent years with the expansion of mobile gaming markets, indie development scenes, and transmedia entertainment formats.
The organisers emphasise that no prior professional experience is required to participate as long as individuals can contribute to some aspect of the game-making process. The event’s core message continues to uphold the values of openness, accessibility, and learning, making it a space where first-time contributors work alongside veteran developers. With the global gaming economy continuing to diversify and democratise, Global Game Jam Kochi 2026 aims to further embed Kerala into the map of emerging creative technology hubs. Interested participants can register online ahead of the event, with further updates to be issued as the dates approach.
Request to join at https://luma.com/uugxqprx
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