Abu Dhabi Gaming × Unity
Shift Game Jam
Build a game. Test your skills. Learn by doing.
Shift Game Jam is a hands-on game development challenge for university students and recent graduates in the UAE. Team up, turn a surprise theme into a playable prototype, and get guidance from Unity experts and mentors.
No previous game development experience needed. Join solo or with a team.
Event starts in
Shift Game Jam 2025
See what
students created
Explore the games, teams and results from Shift Game Jam 2025.
- Registered
- 209
- Teams
- 31
- Games shipped
- 29
Build experience
you can use
Shift Game Jam gives you practical experience of creating a game from start to finish, alongside other students and emerging developers.
Build your portfolio
Create a playable prototype you can showcase - an original game published on itch.io, and something tangible to show future employers or universities.
Learn from experts
Get practical feedback from Unity experts and mentors as you build, troubleshoot and refine your game.
Meet collaborators
Build alongside students with skills in programming, design, art and storytelling.
Two days. One theme.
Build a playable game.
A game jam is a short, intensive game development challenge. Participants work in teams to create an original game within a fixed timeframe, responding to a theme revealed when the event begins.
Shift Game Jam is designed specifically for university students and recent graduates, giving emerging talent the opportunity to experience the game development process first-hand.
- Day 1
- Meet your team, discover the theme and start building.
- Day 2
- Refine your game, present it to the judges and celebrate the results.
View the full schedule
Day 1 Discover, team up & start building
- Doors open · check-inArrive, set up, meet the other jammers.
- Opening & welcomeAbu Dhabi Gaming and Unity kick things off at 9:00 AM GST.
- Theme reveal & rulesThe theme is announced here, plus what the judges are looking for. Everyone hears it at the same moment.
- Team formationSolo registrants are matched into teams.
- Development beginsThe clock is running.
- Mentor floor & Unity expert sessionsTechnical help on tap throughout the day.
- Evening build timeKeep going, or go home and come back fresh.
Day 2 Develop, refine & compete
- Development continuesSecond and final build stretch.
- Mentor check-insLast chance to unblock a technical problem.
- Polish & buildGet it running, get it shipped.
- Submission deadlineUpload to the official itch.io page before the cut-off.
- Final presentationsTeams show what they built.
- Judging & evaluationThe panel plays and scores every submission.
- Awards ceremony & closeWinners announced on the day.
Practical details
& preparation
Everything to know before the weekend - the dates, the venue, what to bring, and how to arrive ready to build.
- Dates
- –
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Venue
- Abu Dhabi University
- Places
- Limited to 50 participants
- Format
- Two-day sprint · Teams up to 8
- Theme
- Revealed at the Day 1 opening session
- Who can enter
- University students and recent graduates
- Prizes
- To be announced
Registration
Places are limited to 50 participants. One registration covers both days. Bring a laptop and your chargers; the venue provides internet and power.
Register for Shift Game JamFree · Solo or teams welcome
New to Unity?
Get ready for the weekend with a free Unity crash course ahead of the Game Jam.
The introductory course will help you understand the platform, familiarise yourself with the basic development process and arrive better prepared to start building.
Places are limited and advance registration is required. The course has its own registration, separate from the Game Jam.
Can't make this one?
Shift Game Jam returns in November 2026.
Details of future Shift Game Jam events will be announced here.
- November
- Dates to be announced
Frequently asked
questions
Everything you need to know about taking part, from who can enter to how games are judged.
Where you submit
Every game is submitted through the official Shift Game Jam itch.io page, which is open now. What to build with, and what has to be uploaded, is in the FAQ.