The Ukie Student Game Jam is back and launches today!
The Ukie Student Game Jam is a fun and creative challenge running on 13 & 14 March 2025, inviting Ukie’s student members to create an original video game in 32 hours. Each participating team is paired with an industry mentor, making this an unmissable opportunity for students to showcase their skills and for industry leaders to connect with the next generation of video games talent.
Playground Games, the AAA game development studio behind the acclaimed Forza Horizon series and the highly anticipated new entry to the Fable franchise, returns as the lead creative partner for the Ukie Student Game Jam. Playground Games will collaborate with the Ukie Education team to set this year’s theme and brief. Last year’s prompt, integrity, sparked a wave of imaginative and thought-provoking entries. We can’t wait to see what surprises and innovations this year’s theme will inspire.
Playground Games’ own Vince Finlayson, Associate Chief Engineer, and Nigel Norman, Senior Level Designer, will be offering their expertise to the students by joining the panel of industry judges who select the Jam’s three awards: Winner, Technical Achievement and Outstanding Design.
“Playground Games is thrilled to be partnering with Ukie again on the 2025 Student Game Jam. We absolutely loved being part of this in 2024 and are excited to see what this year’s cohort of students come up with!”
The Ukie Student Game Jam is made possible with the generous support of our industry partners. Scan Computers is providing high-end game accessories for the winning team, giving them the tools to continue their creative journey. Barclays will host the winners at their bustling Games Frenzy event in May, offering an incredible platform for the students to showcase their achievements to the wider video games community.
Last year's Ukie Student Game Jam was a huge success, with students praising the event’s friendly and collaborative atmosphere. Here’s what some of them had to say:
“I really enjoyed the jam, it was the most friendly game jam I've been involved in and I really appreciated the supportive atmosphere”
“Fun, informative and encouraging.”
“Incredible! [Our mentor] provided great feedback and moral support throughout the jam”
“I'm just looking forward to the next one!”
The Ukie Student Game Jam is a fully remote activity, with teams working from computer labs and home setups across the country. Discord will play host to this year’s Student Game Jam for a second year running. Participants will collaborate through a dedicated server, creating a vibrant community where students, faculty, and industry professionals can connect, share ideas, and celebrate their progress.
“Game jams are a fun way to express creativity and develop teamwork skills—used by studios across the video games industry to create fresh ideas. The Ukie Students programme prepares future game creators for our wonderful industry. Our game jam is the perfect opportunity for students to showcase their skills while receiving mentorship from professionals.
We’re delighted to work again with Playground Games as our creative partner, alongside industry supporters Scan Computers, Discord, and Barclays. Epic Games, our Ukie Students partner, will also be involved in making this our biggest and most exciting student game jam yet!”
Take part in the Ukie Student Game Jam 2025
If you work in the video games industry:
We are looking for mentors from the video games industry to support the student teams during the Jam by giving advice, guidance, tips, and answering questions. This is a great chance to work with the next generation of video games creatives. The mentors for our 2024 Jam said it was 'so fun to take part', 'a great experience' and 'incredible seeing the talent of these students'. Find out more and sign up to be a mentor here.
If you're a student:
If you or your institution is a Ukie Students member and you’d like to take part, please check your emails! A sign-up form and further information have been released directly to you.
The Ukie Student Game Jam 2025 is proud to be in partnership with Playground Games, Scan Computers, Barclays, Discord and Epic Games.