Mobo Game Jam is a global game-making challenge brought to you by Kucheza Gaming, Edu360, WaterAid and Ukie education’s Digital Schoolhouse and Into Games. It’s a free platform through which young people can learn to create their own game by participating in masterclasses and ultimately, a contest.
Young people aged 8-18 years in the UK or Nigeria who want to be more creative, better problem-solvers and who want to build their own games. You don’t have to have any prior game-making experience to take part.
It’s your choice. You can enter as an individual or a team. Remember, if you are taking part in a team, each teammate is required to register at mobojam.org.
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You can find the Mobo Game Jam Terms & Conditions here. Please ensure that you have read these Terms before registering to take part in the jam. By participating in the jam, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of this, then do not register to participate in the jam.
Each participant is required to register at mobojam.org to take part. You must register between 10.00 GMT on Thursday 17 December 2020 and 23.59 GMT on Thursday 4 February 2021.
Yes! Participants that have registered their interest prior to 10.00 GMT on Thursday 17 December 2020 are still required to complete the full registration form between 10.00 GMT on Thursday 17 December 2020 and 23.59 GMT on Sunday 21 February 2021. The full registration form requires you to fill out the information we require for you to take part in the jam.
Yes, you have to have registered at mobojam.org before 23.59 GMT on Sunday 21 February 2021.
Nope! It’s completely free of cost for everyone.
Unfortunately not. This game jam is only for participants in the UK and Nigeria this time around.
Yes, everyone is welcome! You just need an interest in creativity and problem-solving. This is the perfect opportunity for complete novices or accomplished game makers to further develop their skills. Remember, you also have access to free masterclasses along the way!
No, you don’t. There will be a series of masterclasses on game design and game development that will guide you on how to bring your game ideas to life. You also have the option to submit a paper or digital video game prototype.
Yes. Each teammate is required to register separately at mobojam.org. Please note that each teammate should be eligible to submit their game within the same age category. For example, if your team is submitting your game in Category 2: 12-14 years, each teammate within your team should be between 12 and 14 years. Please find further details on age restrictions in the Terms and Conditions.
Participants are required to register before 23.59 GMT on Sunday 21 February 2021.
Once you have registered, you are required to submit your game before 23.59 GMT on Sunday 21 February 2021.
The final will be streamed on 22 March 2021. .
We will share more details about the final with all registered participants in 2021.
23 March 2021 via email and twitter.
A game jam is a competition where participants try to make a video game from scratch in teams or as an individual.
Absolutely. They can submit their game as a paper or digital prototype. We would advise your child to look at the ‘differentiated success criteria’ within the brief for hints on how they can submit their game on paper. You can find the brief here.
It is easy, please visit mobojam.org to register them.
Definitely! This is the perfect opportunity for your child to develop a better understanding of game-making, including understanding programming elements such as pseudocode. They also have the option to submit their game as a paper or digital prototype. We would advise your child to look at the ‘differentiated success criteria’ within the brief for hints on how they can submit their game on paper. You can find the brief here.
Further to this, as part of the game jam, your child will also have access to masterclasses that will help guide them in creating their game.
Yes. Whilst they aren’t a novice, they can still gain vital insight into careers available within the industry with free access to masterclasses from video games professionals. It’s also a great platform for your child to showcase their game-making skills to be in with a chance of winning!
Your child must be between 8-18 years old.
Please advise your child’s school to take a look at the website for further information. We’d advise pointing them to the section of this FAQs guide where it states ‘What are the benefits of my students taking part?’. Here they can understand how participating in the game jam will benefit their students.
Encourage your students to take part. They can sign up as individuals or teams at mobojam.org.
The Video Games Ambassadors network is a great resource for connecting with a UK wide network of games industry staff ready to inspire your students into a rewarding career in the games industry.
There are three categories you can enter your game into:
Yes. Each teammate should be eligible to submit their game within the same age category. For example, if your team is submitting your game in Category 2: 12-14 years, each teammate within your team should be between 12 and 14 years. Please find further details on age restrictions in the Terms and Conditions.
Yes. Participants aged 7 years and have a birthday between 10.00 GMT on Thursday 3 December 2020 and 23.59 GMT on Sunday 21 February 2021 are eligible to register with their parent or carer’s permission.
Unfortunately 18 years is a strict age limit. If you are aged 18 years and have a birthday between 10.00 GMT on Thursday 17 December 2020 and 23.59 GMT on Sunday 21 February 2021, you are not eligible to register.
Yes, the whole event is one big exchange programme with students from other parts of the world where you can make friends and learn about different cultures.
It’s up to you! You can use the software of your choice.
Each age group has its guidelines. You can submit a paper prototype or a coded game on itch.io.
You can either participate as an individual or a team of no more than three people within the same age range.
No. Just one teammate from each team needs to submit your game. However, all teammates must be registered.
No! You can submit either a completed game, prototype, or level (small portion) of a game as your submission. You can also submit a game idea that you have demonstrated through your video submission and/or paper prototype. Refer to the submission criteria to ensure your submission meets all the requirements for your age category.
Read the submission guidelines below.
There are lots of places where you can find access to a computer. As a start, speak to a teacher at school or college about using their facilities, or check out what IT your local library has on offer. If you’re still unsure about how to access a computer, get in touch with us for some guidance.
There is no single definitive guide to games industry salary reports and findings can vary by source. However, Ukiepedia provides links to various existing media reports or surveys from which you can gain further insight into salaries and make your own decision.
There is no single definitive guide to games industry salary reports and findings can vary by source. However, Ukiepedia provides links to various existing media reports or surveys from which you can gain further insight into salaries and make your own decision.
Once submission closes on 23.59 GMT on Sunday 21 February 2021, all entries will be judged for the shortlist by our VGA’s (Video Game Ambassadors). All shortlisted entries will be showcased at the Mobo Game Jam Final on 22nd March.
Once submission closes on 23.59 GMT on Thursday 4 February 2021, all entries will be judged for the shortlist by our VGA’s (Video Game Ambassadors). All shortlisted entries will be showcased at the Mobo Game Jam Final on 22nd March.
UK Winners
Nigeria Winners
Global Winners