A game jam is an event where participants come together to make a digital game (browser-based game, mobile game, console game) or a non-digital analogue game (card game, board game). This usually occurs within a day, rapidly conceptualising and prototyping a game within a given theme.

The Mzansi Climate Justice Game Jam is different, however. This game jam will give a group of selected participants the platform to make games over one month through four collaborative game-making sessions.

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds or disciplines who are excited to explore, collaborate, and create games about climate justice: 

• Artists, researchers, students, activists, game makers, designers, journalists, musicians, makers, thinkers, and doers
• All nationalities, cultures, and genders
• Based in the Netherlands or Johannesburg, South Africa
• Above 18 years of age

Important: 
1. You don’t need any technical coding skills to apply. 
2. You do need access to a laptop, desktop or digital device for the duration of the game jam

Teams will be made up of participants selected to participate in the game jam and work together to co-create a game during the jam. Therefore, you unfortunately can’t apply as a team.

While we encourage you to bring your existing work into the project, the purpose of the game jam is also to co-create something new with other participants during the jam.

You don’t need any technical coding skills to apply. 

Twenty individuals from the Open Call applications will be selected to work in teams formed during the game jam sessions.

The open call is now closed unfortunately.

We have put together a simple application form for which you don’t have to prepare much. 

We recommend, however, that you prepare a PDF with a maximum of 5 pages or an online link that will give us an indication of your skills or work (such as an online portfolio, LinkedIn page, sample of your writing, or even a CV).

Yes. The game jam will take place in English to make cross-cultural exchanges easier.

The project team and selected external collaborators will review all applications and select 20 individuals based on their motivation and profile. 

You will be notified when your application is received.

The results will be communicated within two weeks after the deadline (19 May). Please note that the date can change due to the volume of applicants being reviewed.

The game jam sessions will be Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) sessions, meaning you’ll have to have a laptop, tablet, or other device to work on.

The aim of the Mzansi Climate Justice Game Jam is to promote collaboration – not competition. Therefore we decided to give all participants a small stipend for their participation, instead of having a ‘grand prize’ for only one team.

You will receive the full stipend in the third week of the program. The full stipend details will be communicated to you in a Participation Agreement if you are selected. 

Anything you make during the game jam is your intellectual property. The jam organisers claim no rights or ownership to your game, and we hope that some games will continue into larger projects in the future.  

However, as part of the Participation Agreement, we will ask you to agree to the use or exhibition of your game as part of the Mzansi Climate Justice project.

In our last game jam session, we will plan possible outreach and publication strategies with you. We will also work with you to identify potential next steps and opportunities, such as showcasing your game at a festival. 

The project is organised by internet teapot (Adriaan Odendaal and Karla Zavala Barreda) with Mxolisi Xaba as the project coordinator in South Africa.

You can see the full team and list of collaborators here.

The project is funded by the Creative Industries Fund NL: Climate Justice Program.