This past weekend, Alfaisal University proudly hosted the 2025 Global Game Jam for the fourth consecutive year in Riyadh, creating an incredible platform for creativity, innovation, and collaboration in the gaming and game development sector. Over 48 hours, participants worked tirelessly to craft games that not only entertained but also showcased the vibrant potential of local talent and global collaboration. What made this event truly special was how it aligned seamlessly with the National Gaming and Esports Strategy (NGES) — Saudi Arabia’s ambitious roadmap to becoming a global hub for gaming and esports by 2030.
Fostering Game Development: Inspired by NGES’s focus on creating an ecosystem for game production, participants explored new ideas, developed unique prototypes, and nurtured local creativity in game design. Alfaisal University partnered with several organizations ranging from enablers in the ecosystem to leading knowledge partners shaping the future of game development and esports. This year’s Global Game Jam was supported by the Digital Game Association, Merak Capital, the Saudi Digital Academy, and KACST’s Institute of Gaming and Esports, each playing a crucial role in fostering innovation and talent in the industry. This year witnessed connecting participants with industry leaders to elevate their game projects and offer them insights into game publishing, funding opportunities, and market trends .
Building Talent: In line with the national strategy (NGES) emphasis on education and talent development in the applied domain of game development, the event brought together aspiring developers, artists, and designers to learn from each other and hone their skills. Alfaisal University offers the game design track as part of the software engineering program, and game development is integrated in several courses in the software engineering curriculum.
Alfaisal University’s Software Engineering (SE) program has been a key driver in shaping the Global Game Jam (GGJ), integrating academic courses with industry collaboration to foster innovation and technical excellence. Over the years, the event has evolved through the dedicated efforts of the Game Development Club (GDC), the Game Innovation Center (GIC), and the HCI Lab team, reinforcing Alfaisal’s key role in game development education in Saudi Arabia.
GIC and HCI Lab have been responsible for event logistics and industry partnerships, ensuring that students gain real-world exposure while linking the jam to core courses such as SE463 (Game Mechanics, Prototyping, and Production) and SE464 (Immersive Topics in Game Development). Both courses, part of the Game Development and Digital Media track, provided students with hands-on experience in designing game mechanics, rapid prototyping, and exploring emerging immersive technologies. This year, SE328 (Mobile App Development) and SE324 (Web App Development) were also involved, encouraging students to explore mobile and web-based games, broadening the jam scope to include cross-platform development.
The HCI Lab team has played a critical role in integrating the jam with coursework, initially linking it to the SE117 course in 2022 to emphasize user experience and accessibility, and this year expanding that connection to SE464, allowing students to explore immersive game technologies and interaction design. Meanwhile, the game development club has been at the forefront of organizing workshops,and ensuring a structured and engaging event experience.
Through the combined efforts of these teams, Alfaisal University has established Global Game Jam as a premier event that bridges academia and industry, providing students with a platform to refine their skills, experiment with cutting-edge technologies, and connect with professionals in the gaming ecosystem.
Global Collaboration: The jam resonated with the strategy’s vision of making Saudi Arabia a global hub for gaming by attracting diverse talent and celebrating shared creativity. In this year’s game jam, Alfaisal University showcased remarkable global collaboration, reinforcing the university’s position as a key player in the international game development community. With 795 sites worldwide and 9 in Saudi Arabia, Alfaisal’s ranking at 39th globally highlights its strong engagement and contributions to the event. The jam brought together diverse talents, reflecting the participation of top active countries. The international presence fostered a rich exchange of ideas, creative techniques, and innovative game development methodologies.
Innovation in Gaming: Participants worked on cutting-edge ideas that highlighted the potential for Saudi Arabia to become a testbed for gaming innovation. As the largest host in Saudi Arabia and the only one in Riyadh, Alfaisal University provided a vibrant platform for 122 jammers to create 33 games, demonstrating the region’s growing influence in the global gaming landscape. This success underscores Alfaisal’s commitment to fostering a thriving game development ecosystem by connecting students with international peers, industry leaders, and knowledge partners.
The top 3 teams of the 2025 Global Game Jam have been announced. Third place was awarded to “Travels of Death”, praised for its unique concept and engaging mechanics. Second place went to “POP! Goes the Camel”, recognized for its creative and fun gameplay elements. First place was claimed by “Bubble Trials”, which impressed with its innovative use of physics and puzzle-solving mechanics. These teams showcased exceptional creativity & skills.
Saudi Arabia’s gaming market is poised to unlock over SAR 50 billion in economic contributions by 2030, with 39,000 jobs created across the gaming ecosystem. Events like these accelerate progress toward these goals. We extend our appreciation to all the participants, mentors, and organizers for making this event a success. Together, we’re not only creating games—we’re shaping the future of gaming in alignment with a visionary national strategy.
