The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) has been announced as the official Mumbai jam site for Global Game Jam 2026, the world’s largest game creation event, scheduled to take place from 30 January to 1 February 2026.
Global Game Jam is a globally celebrated initiative that unfolds simultaneously across hundreds of locations worldwide, bringing together game developers, designers, artists, programmers, musicians, and storytellers for an intense 48-hour creative sprint. Facilitated by Underdogs Studio, the event challenges participants to collaborate across disciplines to conceptualise and build playable games from scratch, driven by innovation, experimentation, and creative problem-solving.
For decades, India has been recognised globally as one of the world’s largest and most passionate gaming markets. With Global Game Jam 2026, this narrative takes a decisive turn. India is no longer positioned solely as a consumer of global gaming content but as an active creator—developing original games, intellectual property, and interactive experiences for a global audience.
As an official jam site, IICT Mumbai will host participants for an immersive, hands-on experience, offering a collaborative ecosystem where ideas rapidly evolve into functional games. The initiative reinforces IICT’s commitment to experiential learning, community-led innovation, and skill development within the rapidly expanding AVGC-XR sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), said, “Global Game Jam represents the true spirit of collaboration and creative freedom that defines the gaming and interactive media industry. By hosting Global Game Jam Mumbai at IICT, we are creating a platform where young creators and professionals can learn by doing, experiment fearlessly, and engage with global creative practices. This initiative strongly aligns with IICT’s mission to nurture future-ready talent and position Mumbai as a key hub in the global game development ecosystem.”
With IICT joining the global network of jam sites, Global Game Jam 2026 is set to further strengthen India’s presence on the world gaming map, spotlighting Mumbai as a growing centre for game development, creative technology, and collaborative innovation.
