Creating space for aspiring game developers to experiment and connect

For many people interested in game development, the biggest challenge is knowing where to begin. Events like KiwiJam provide a place to experiment, meet like-minded people and discover what is possible without the pressure of producing a commercial product.

Held annually across Aotearoa, KiwiJam is a 48-hour game jam where participants form teams, share ideas and build games from scratch.

Since 2021, the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship's (CIE) Kura Matahuna Unleash Space has hosted the Auckland event, providing participants with access to maker equipment and a collaborative environment that encourages experimentation.

This year's event, co-hosted by the University of Auckland Makers Club and the Game Developer Guild saw 145 people participate.

Helping lead the 2026 Auckland event were Connor Hare, Aditya Behera, Joshua Jimenez and Ibrahim Waheed.

From Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 August, participants from within the the University and out came together to prototype games, test ideas and learn from one another. Unlike competitive hackathons, KiwiJam places the emphasis on creativity and exploration rather than prizes or commercial outcomes.

The Unleash Space makerspace added another dimension to the event. Alongside software development, participants could experiment with physical equipment and incorporate hardware into their game designs, opening up opportunities to explore interactive experiences that extend beyond the screen.

Physical games, like card and tabletop games, were also made during KiwiJam.

Teams produced 59 playable prototypes over the event. Projects ranged from a kākāpō recovery simulator, where players work to hatch eggs and grow the endangered bird's population, through to Particle Entanglement, a two-player physics-inspired game played on a 25-year-old ComTel LED advertising sign.

For Ibrahim Waheed, president of the Makers Club, the greatest reward came from seeing the breadth of ideas participants brought to life.

"It was cool to see every project involved. I've been part of hackathons before, but when I saw all the projects rolling in it made me feel proud of being so heavily involved," he said.

Waheed was equally encouraged by the range of participants.

"We had a really diverse range of people involved, including a dad and his young son. For me, highlights were seeing people submit their projects. The event was more about the experience, but it was still cool to see people passionate about what they were doing."

That emphasis on community is central to KiwiJam's purpose. By creating a welcoming environment where people can explore game development regardless of their experience, the event helps participants develop practical skills, build connections and gain confidence in a field they may never have considered accessible.

Supported by CIE through Kura Matahuna Unleash Space, KiwiJam demonstrates how student leadership, hands-on learning and an open innovation community can help turn curiosity into capability, one weekend at a time.