Shift Game Jam

Everyone. Shift Game Jam is open to students, graduates, professionals and hobbyists. You don't need to be studying or working in game development. Programmers, artists, designers, writers and audio people all have a place on a jam team.

No. Beginners are welcome, and Unity experts and mentors are on the floor throughout the event. If you are new to Unity, take the free Unity crash course before the jam.

Register with the form on this page. It's free and open to everyone, and registration closes 6 November 2026. Your place is confirmed as soon as you register: you get a confirmation email with the event details straight away.

No. You can register individually or as part of a team. If you come on your own, the organisers will help you connect with other participants and form a team at the event. Teams can include up to five participants.

No. Your game must be created during the official Game Jam period. You may use pre-made assets that are free to use, or legally owned or licensed by your team.

Pre-made assets, libraries and code are allowed if they are free to use, or legally owned or licensed by your team. Keep a note of what you used and where it came from: unlicensed material puts your entry at risk, and the judges may ask. AI tools are allowed in your workflow. You are responsible for the rights to everything you ship, and you should list anything AI-generated in your submission notes.

At the opening session on Day 1. Everyone receives the theme at the same time, and your final game must respond to it.

Your laptop or PC, your charger, any adapters you need, photo ID for check-in, and any software or development tools you plan to use. Power and internet access are provided at the venue.

Your team will create an original playable game based on the theme announced at the start of the Game Jam.

Every game is submitted through the official Shift Game Jam itch.io jam page. Upload your build there before the deadline announced during the jam. Late submissions are not eligible for judging.

On creativity and innovation, interpretation of the theme, gameplay and mechanics, art direction, and overall presentation. All five carry equal weight. A clear idea, finished and running, will beat a bigger one that does not.

Every submission is played and scored by the judging panel, and every team presents its game to the panel on Day 3. That session is where the judges respond to what you built. If there is a problem with your entry, we raise it with your team directly and hear your response before anything is decided.

The prize pool is AED 60,000, all given as vouchers: 1st place AED 30,000, 2nd place AED 20,000 and 3rd place AED 10,000. Winners are announced at the awards ceremony that closes Day 3. Nobody waits for a result after the jam.

Your team keeps the intellectual property in your game. By participating, you give Abu Dhabi Gaming and Unity permission to showcase your submission and related materials for promotional and educational purposes.

Your details are used only to run the Game Jam: to confirm your registration, contact you about the event and organise teams on the day. They are held by Abu Dhabi Gaming, not sold, and not shared with partners or sponsors. Ask us to remove them at any time at Hello@adgaming.ae. If you are under 18, contact the organisers before you register: written consent from a parent or guardian is required, including consent for photography and filming at the event.

Treat every participant, mentor, judge and organiser with respect. Harassment, discrimination and disruptive behaviour are not tolerated and will lead to removal from the event. The organisers have the final say on all matters related to the event. If something happens that you are not comfortable with, speak to any Abu Dhabi Gaming organiser on the floor, or email Hello@adgaming.ae during the event or after it.

Yes. Games must not contain sexual content, excessive violence, or discriminatory or hateful material. Submissions that break the Game Jam guidelines may be disqualified.

The jam runs at Nabdh MBZ - Al Manhal, Abu Dhabi on 13–15 November 2026. Day 1 starts at 2:00 PM GST: bring photo ID to check in. Power and internet access are provided; bring your own laptop, charger and adapters. If you have an accessibility requirement, tell us in advance at Hello@adgaming.ae so we can arrange it with the venue.

Yes. All three days are part of the same event: the theme is revealed at the Day 1 opening session, and games are submitted, presented and judged on Day 3. Day 1 runs 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Day 2 runs 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM, and Day 3 runs 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (GST). You are not expected to stay overnight.