Kiwijam is Aotearoa’s own homegrown annual in-person game-jam. We invite newcomers and veteran game jammers to experiment, share ideas and make a game of any type for 48 hours in one of the many sites all over the country.

This is an event for adults and children ages 11 or older.

What is a game jam?
It’s a chance to make games! Game jams are all about coming together to design and build board and digital games based on a theme (usually announced at the beginning) in a super short amount of time. In this one, you’ll have about 48 hours (including sleep) to go all the way from idea to whatever you can hack together in time.

Who should come to Kiwijam?
Kiwijam is meant for anyone with an interest in making games. Even if you’ve never made a game before or don’t have any game dev skills. You could join a group and find out you’re good at something and never knew it. Or maybe you just want to observe this year and come back next year after doing a few game dev tutorials.
We hope that Kiwijam is a way for new gamedevs or people who are interested in starting their gamedev journey to get inspired and feel like they are a part of a bigger community.

Schedule:

Friday
5:30 pm – Pre-Kiwijam gathering. If this is your first Kiwijam, this is for you!
6:00 pm – Food (BYO or bring cash for ordering food)
6:30 pm – Welcome presentation & official kick-off
7:00 pm – Team-forming
9:30 pm – Venue closes for the night

Saturday
8:00 am – Venue opens
9:00 am – Morning announcements
12:30 pm – Lunch (BYO or bring cash for ordering food)
5:30 pm – Dinner (BYO or bring cash for ordering food)
9:30 pm – Venue closes

Sunday
8:00 am – Venue opens
9:00 am – Morning announcements
12:30 pm – Lunch (BYO or bring cash for ordering food)
4:30 pm – Deadline for submissions! Dinner (BYO or bring cash for ordering food)
4:45 pm – Show & Tell (check out each other’s projects) - open for all!
5:45 pm Voting & Prize Giving
6:30 pm – Pack up & closing

You’re welcome to stay for as much or as little as you’d like (no need to arrive or leave when we open & close), but we recommend sticking around for the show & tell if you can.
You will need to make your own arrangements for transport home on Friday and Saturday nights, as we’re unable to provide a space to sleep overnight.