PB and Jam - New Zealand Game Fest 2026 Event Dates
nzgamesfest.com/pb-and-jam/

Dates
Friday 6pm 1 May - Sunday 6pm 3 May 2026

Location
Massey University, Wellington, NZ

Participants
Enthusiasts, hobbyists, students and game development professionals located in Wellington or wider New Zealand.

Age requirement
18+

Participation Details
In-person event in Wellington, New Zealand, with limited remote participation via Discord.

How to Join
To participate, register for a free ticket via this link:
 https://events.humanitix.com/nz-games-festival-play-by-play-and-the-pavs-game-aw... 

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PB & Jam is a 48-hour non-competitive game development challenge as part of the New Zealand Games Festival, open to participants aged 18 and over. Whether you’re a first-time creator, hobbyist, student, or experienced industry professional, PB & Jam is a welcoming space to experiment, collaborate, and create something small and playful in a single weekend.

This event is primarily designed for in-person participation, with most activity taking place on-site in Wellington. Participants based in New Zealand are welcome to join remotely, provided they register for a ticket.

Teams of any size and solo jammers will build short games inspired by a secret theme revealed at the start of the jam. The focus is on creativity, finishing something, and kicking off the festival with energy and community spirit. Teams can be formed either beforehand via Discord or at the game jam start on-site.

Both digital and non-digital games are welcome. Participants are free to create video games, board games, card games, or other analogue experiences in response to the theme.

Tickets
Each participant needs to book a free ticket for themselves. Once registered, you’ll receive more details about the event via email including:

• Discord link
• Game Jam rules
• How to submit your game

https://events.humanitix.com/nz-games-festival-play-by-play-and-the-pavs-game-aw... 

Venue & What to Bring
The venue will have computers with internet available for participants to use. You are also welcome to bring your own laptop or any equipment you prefer to work with. The venue will not be open overnight, so participants will need to head home at the end of each evening and return the following day. The venue is easily accessible by public transport, and free parking options are available nearby for those travelling by car.
Basic kitchen facilities are available on-site, including:

• Fridge
• Microwave
• Hot water

You’re welcome to bring your own food and snacks for the weekend. Please note that hot food and any liquids not in sealed containers must be consumed outside the computer room.

Accessibility
The computer room is wheelchair accessible. If you have any specific access requirements, please let us know in advance so we can check what we can do to accommodate you.

Community & Code of Conduct
PB & Jam is a welcoming and inclusive event. All participants are expected to follow the NZ Games Festival Safe Space Policy and Code of Conduct.

Please review them before attending:

• Safe Space Policy: https://nzgamesfest.com/safe-space-policy/
• Code of Conduct: https://nzgamesfest.com/code-of-conduct/

By participating, you agree to uphold these guidelines to ensure a respectful and supportive environment for everyone.