Kazakhstan officially joined the Global Game Jam in 2026. Participants worldwide worked on the unified global theme “Mask,” while in Kazakhstan an additional local theme, “Rule Change,” was introduced, with results considered in determining the winners. The event was held in a hybrid format: Astana Hub served as the central venue, connecting teams from across the regions via live streaming and coordination with local IT hubs.
“For us, Global Game Jam is not just a competition, but a foundation for building a professional community,” notes Elina Kim, Head of the GameDev Center at Astana Hub. “In partnership with the Creative Industries Alliance of Qazaqstan (CIAQ) and the GCA community, we are creating a unified ecosystem. Thanks to the contribution of our general sponsor, Ogames, we have the resources to scale these opportunities. A talented developer from any region of Kazakhstan can showcase themselves, find a team, and take the first step toward creating a successful world-class product.”
A total of 214 participants took part in the jam, forming 99 teams, of which 34 advanced to the final and presented completed projects. The geography of the project covered 14 cities across Kazakhstan and five international locations — with teams joining from Russia, Argentina, the Philippines, Poland, and Kyrgyzstan; participants ranged in age from 12 to 51.
“For us, Global Game Jam is not just a competition, but a catalyst for the emergence of a new wave of creative technologies in Kazakhstan. We believe that every young developer, designer, or artist is a future industry leader who needs just one thing: a platform and a community. Over five days of intensive development, participants not only create prototypes — they find each other, test ideas, and realize that they belong to this movement. Our mission is to ensure that talent from Almaty, Aktau, or Pavlodar has exactly the same opportunities as in the capital. Kazakhstan is ready to become a center of creative production, and Global Game Jam 2026 is one of the key steps on this path,” said Malika Igibayeva, Head of GCA.
According to the jury’s evaluation, the winner of Global Game Jam Kazakhstan 2026 was Square Team (Astana) with the project Bascule, receiving the grand prize of KZT 300,000. Second place went to Majestic Amadei (Astana) with Mask Huntress (KZT 180,000), and third place to the team “Shelly Fa” (Astana) with the game The Soul of the Mask (KZT 120,000).
The winner of the People’s Choice Award (“Astana Audience Award”), based on open voting, was SuperCats Studio with the project Behind the Mask.
In the TRUE INDIE STORY category, awarded for the best video about the jam participation process, the winning team was “Abandoned Kittens” with the project Echoes of the Forest.
The OUT OF BOX award for the most creative and innovative project was given to Fourth Games for Mask and Mind.
In the special nomination by publisher MYTONA — Publisher’s Choice — the winner was Prism with the project Criminally Delicious, recognized for its development potential and commercial prospects.
The event was organized by the Creative Industries Alliance of Qazaqstan (CIAQ), the GameDev Center, and the GCA community. The general sponsor was the Astana-based mobile game development studio Ogames, creators of Car Parking Simulator. Prize fund partners included MYTONA, CREATA Ventures, as well as GCA and the GameDev Center. The total prize fund amounted to KZT 900,000 and was formed through private sector contributions.
The hosting of Global Game Jam Kazakhstan 2026 reflects the country’s broader course toward the development of digital technologies and the creative industry. In the context of the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence declared in Kazakhstan, such initiatives contribute to the formation of a new generation of developers and strengthen the country’s position in the global technology market.
For reference:
About the GameDev Center:
A competence center based at Astana Hub, focused on education, development, and support of game developers in Kazakhstan.
About the Creative Industries Alliance of Qazaqstan (CIAQ):
An alliance that brings together leaders of the country’s creative economy to address systemic challenges, develop infrastructure, and promote the export of creative products.
The GCA community acts as a driver for the development of gaming, esports, and digital art.
Kazakhstan officially joined the Global Game Jam in 2026. Participants worldwide worked on the unified global theme “Mask,” while in Kazakhstan an additional local theme, “Rule Change,” was introduced, with results considered in determining the winners. The event was held in a hybrid format: Astana Hub served as the central venue, connecting teams from across the regions via live streaming and coordination with local IT hubs.
“For us, Global Game Jam is not just a competition, but a foundation for building a professional community,” notes Elina Kim, Head of the GameDev Center at Astana Hub. “In partnership with the Creative Industries Alliance of Qazaqstan (CIAQ) and the GCA community, we are creating a unified ecosystem. Thanks to the contribution of our general sponsor, Ogames, we have the resources to scale these opportunities. A talented developer from any region of Kazakhstan can showcase themselves, find a team, and take the first step toward creating a successful world-class product.”
A total of 214 participants took part in the jam, forming 99 teams, of which 34 advanced to the final and presented completed projects. The geography of the project covered 14 cities across Kazakhstan and five international locations — with teams joining from Russia, Argentina, the Philippines, Poland, and Kyrgyzstan; participants ranged in age from 12 to 51.
“For us, Global Game Jam is not just a competition, but a catalyst for the emergence of a new wave of creative technologies in Kazakhstan. We believe that every young developer, designer, or artist is a future industry leader who needs just one thing: a platform and a community. Over five days of intensive development, participants not only create prototypes — they find each other, test ideas, and realize that they belong to this movement. Our mission is to ensure that talent from Almaty, Aktau, or Pavlodar has exactly the same opportunities as in the capital. Kazakhstan is ready to become a center of creative production, and Global Game Jam 2026 is one of the key steps on this path,” said Malika Igibayeva, Head of GCA.
According to the jury’s evaluation, the winner of Global Game Jam Kazakhstan 2026 was Square Team (Astana) with the project Bascule, receiving the grand prize of KZT 300,000. Second place went to Majestic Amadei (Astana) with Mask Huntress (KZT 180,000), and third place to the team “Shelly Fa” (Astana) with the game The Soul of the Mask (KZT 120,000).
The winner of the People’s Choice Award (“Astana Audience Award”), based on open voting, was SuperCats Studio with the project Behind the Mask.
In the TRUE INDIE STORY category, awarded for the best video about the jam participation process, the winning team was “Abandoned Kittens” with the project Echoes of the Forest.
The OUT OF BOX award for the most creative and innovative project was given to Fourth Games for Mask and Mind.
In the special nomination by publisher MYTONA — Publisher’s Choice — the winner was Prism with the project Criminally Delicious, recognized for its development potential and commercial prospects.
The event was organized by the Creative Industries Alliance of Qazaqstan (CIAQ), the GameDev Center, and the GCA community. The general sponsor was the Astana-based mobile game development studio Ogames, creators of Car Parking Simulator. Prize fund partners included MYTONA, CREATA Ventures, as well as GCA and the GameDev Center. The total prize fund amounted to KZT 900,000 and was formed through private sector contributions.
The hosting of Global Game Jam Kazakhstan 2026 reflects the country’s broader course toward the development of digital technologies and the creative industry. In the context of the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence declared in Kazakhstan, such initiatives contribute to the formation of a new generation of developers and strengthen the country’s position in the global technology market.
For reference:
About the GameDev Center:
A competence center based at Astana Hub, focused on education, development, and support of game developers in Kazakhstan.
About the Creative Industries Alliance of Qazaqstan (CIAQ):
An alliance that brings together leaders of the country’s creative economy to address systemic challenges, develop infrastructure, and promote the export of creative products.
The GCA community acts as a driver for the development of gaming, esports, and digital art.
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