⭐ JOIN CHECKPOINT GAME JAM ⭐
Organized by GGJ, UNOCT and UNICRI
When: Oct. 15 - 31 (Top 20 teams continue Nov. 15 - Jan. 10.)
Theme, awards and scoring rubric announced at the Oct. 15 kickoff. Submit by Oct. 31. Top 20 teams announced by Nov. 13.
Where: Virtual. The jam is hosted on itch.io, with updates, discussion and team-finding on the Global Game Jam Discord.
What: Build a game that helps players recognize and counter the pathways to radicalization to violence for a chance to:
Every participant gets access to expert-led webinars, curated resources and a Tips & Tricks playbook
Who: Open to developers in:
Teams from outside the region can join if at least 50% of the team is from those four countries.
Solo devs and studios are welcome, any engine works, and AI use is allowed but must be disclosed. Ages 18+.
Every day, millions of people connect through games to learn, collaborate, solve problems, and build friendships across cultures and borders. Game developers have created some of the most engaging and influential digital experiences of our time, demonstrating gaming’s unique ability to foster empathy, inclusion, critical thinking, and resilient online communities.
Checkpoint Game Jam aims to harness that potential by bringing together developers from across Southeast Asia - specifically Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore - to design innovative game concepts that promote pro-social behaviours and strengthen digital resilience among young people.
At its core, Checkpoint Game Jam is a game jam designed to prevent violent extremism (PVE), challenging developers to create experiences that help players recognize and counter the pathways to radicalization to violence before they take hold.
While the jam's overarching focus is preventing violent extremism through promoting pro-social behaviours and strengthening digital resilience, the official theme for Checkpoint Game Jam will be announced on Oct. 15.
Checkpoint Game Jam is a multi-stage game jam with 2-day, 2-week and 2-month stages.
The 2-day and 2-week stages will be run back-to-back and combined into a single submission phase. This round is open to any participants who meet the eligibility criteria. The 2-day/2-week round kicks off Oct. 15 and runs through Oct. 31, 2026.
JAM KICK OFF: The jam submission window will officially open on Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. UTC+8 following the Checkpoint Game Jam Kick Off Livestream, where the jam theme, awards categories and scoring criteria will be announced.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Jammers may submit to the jam as long as the submission portal is open. As stated on the page and across all other jam-related promotion, the jam officially closes on Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. Anywhere on Earth. Depending on your time zone/where you are based, you may see the jam closure date on the itch.io countdown as Nov. 1.
Judging will take place from Nov. 1-10 with the top 20 teams being announced by Nov. 13.
Only the top 20 teams will advance to the 2-month stage, running from Nov. 15, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027. Following the 2-month jam, up to five teams will be invited to Tokyo the week of February 15, 2027 to pitch their games for a chance to win best overall game.
Travel and accommodation for one representative from each selected team will be covered by Checkpoint Game Jam!
Checkpoint Game Jam seeks to inspire the next generation of socially impactful games. Through industry-led mentorship and technical guidance, participants will explore how games can help address real-world challenges.
The jam will empower developers to create experiences that foster healthy online engagement, strengthen resilience to harmful influences like misogyny, racism, hate speech and other forms of toxic behaviours, and demonstrate how games can contribute to safer and more inclusive digital communities.
The virtual event is open to participants in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. Jammers from outside the region can participate as long as they are members of a team that is at least 50% comprised of jammers from the four jam countries.
The jam is open to participants ages 18+ as determined by Oct. 31, 2026. Proof of age verification will be requested from all top 20 teams.
Solo devs are allowed. There is no limit to team size. Studios are allowed to participate. Games will be submitted via itch.io; however, all participants/team members are also required to register for the jam individually. Register here.
Previous participation in the Global Game Jam is not required.
Participants can use any game development tools, platform or engine they choose. AI use is allowed, but must be disclosed.
A minimum of four – with the possibility of up to five – teams will be selected from the top 20 for the trip to Tokyo. Travel and accommodation for one representative from each selected team will be covered by Checkpoint Game Jam!
It is anticipated that at least one team per country will be represented in the final pitch event. However, in a scenario where no team from a given country meets the minimum score for advancement, the jam reserves the right to reallocate the finalist spot to a team from another participating country.
For all other awards, all teams in the top 20 will be eligible.
The full list of awards, submission criteria and scoring rubric will be announced when the jam kicks off on Oct. 15, 2026.
The jam will be 100% virtual. Jam communications will come through the itch.io jam page and Global Game Jam’s Discord. (Once you're in the server, join the "Checkpoint Game Jam" jam-chat and announcements channels to get updates, find a team and ask any questions you might have.) You can also find additional info on the jam website: www.checkpointgamejam.org
We know that for most game creators PVE brings to mind ‘player-vs-environment’, not ‘preventing violent extremism’. That’s why we’re bringing together resources, expert-led webinars and more to help you create the best game possible. Resources, including a Checkpoint Game Jam "Tips & Tricks" playbook, can be accessed at www.checkpointgamejam.org/resources
ABOUT THE GLOBAL GAME JAM
Global Game Jam annually serves 40,000 game creators in 100+ countries.
We hold the world’s largest game creation event, The Global Game Jam, and the world’s largest youth game jam, GGJ Next. More than just a jam, GGJ works year-round to promote and grow the global game development community through partner jams, conference scholarships, microgrants, indie support and mentorship.
Global Game Jam has an expansive and engaged worldwide network of game developers. This reach extends across the globalgamejam.org website, Discord server, email lists, and social media platforms. We also reach the social media networks of local GGJ regions, sites, universities and community organizations.
ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS COUNTER-TERRORISM CENTRE (UNCCT) OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF COUNTER-TERRORISM (UNOCT)
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established on 15 June 2017 through the adoption of General Assembly resolution 71/291. The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) works to combat terrorism at the global, regional, and national levels. It provides technical assistance and capacity building to member states and strengthens coordination among UN entities and empowers UN member states by equipping them with policy guidance and deep knowledge of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Through the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) and its Global Programme on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), UNOCT supports efforts to prevent the exploitation of gaming spaces for radicalization to violence. Combining research, youth empowerment, policy dialogue and capacity-building, the Programme brings together national authorities, game developers, civil society, law enforcement and young people to build safer, more inclusive gaming communities.
ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS INTERREGIONAL CRIME AND JUSTICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (UNICRI)
The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)’s mission is to advance justice, crime prevention, security and the rule of law in support of peace, human rights and sustainable development. Through evidence-driven strategies, UNICRI supports Member States and other relevant stakeholders in anticipating and responding to evolving threats, and its integrated approach combines threat assessments, operational research, policy design, and tailored solutions, providing end-to-end support for governments and partners. Headquartered in Turin (Italy), UNICRI was established in 1968 pursuant to Economic and Social Council Resolution 1086 B (XXXIX) of 1965, which urged an expansion of the United Nations activities in crime prevention and criminal justice.
For questions or more info, you can post them on the jam Discord or reach out to updates@globalgamejam.org.
