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Ready to make a video game in just 48 hours?

DigiPen Institute of Technology Europe-Bilbao will take part in Global Game Jam 2026 (GGJ) at Urduliz 42, marking the fourth consecutive year of collaboration between both institutions. Global Game Jam is one of the world’s largest game development events, bringing together students, professionals, and enthusiasts worldwide to create playable games in just 48 hours around a shared theme, as part of an initiative organized by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).

 

Audience attending a Global Game Jam 2025 talk at Urduliz 42, seated and facing a presentation screen.

DigiPen’s Role at GGJ 2026

DigiPen Europe-Bilbao will contribute to GGJ 2026 through academic leadership, mentorship, content, and awards, reinforcing its commitment to hands-on learning and industry-connected education:

  • Daniel Andia, Chair of the Interactive Media and Design Department, will participate as a member of the jury, bringing both academic rigor and professional insight to the evaluation process.
  • A DigiPen alumnus will act as a mentor, supporting teams throughout the jam by providing guidance on game design, production workflows, and technical challenges.
  • Diego García, game designer and DigiPen faculty member, will deliver a workshop about using Jess Schell’s lenses from The Art of Game Design.
  • DigiPen will award a Summer Workshop Scholarship as a prize, giving participants the opportunity to continue developing their skills beyond the 48-hour event.

In addition, a significant number of participants in the jam will be current DigiPen students, actively applying their training in programming, art, and game design in a real-world, high-pressure creative environment.

 

Group photo of DigiPen students as Global Game Jam 2025 participants and organizers at Urduliz 42, wearing event badges

Learning by Making: 48 Hours of Collaboration

Global Game Jam 2026 at Urduliz 42 brings together participants from diverse backgrounds, students, hobbyists, and industry professionals, who collaborate in multidisciplinary teams covering programming, art, game design, and audio. Over the course of an intensive 48-hour sprint, teams move from concept to playable prototype, emphasizing creativity, teamwork, and rapid problem-solving.

Through its participation, DigiPen Europe-Bilbao continues to support initiatives that bridge education and professional practice, foster experimentation, and strengthen connections between academia and the game development community.

More information about the event can be found on Urduliz 42’s Global Game Jam 2026 page, and all games created during the jam will be published on the official Global Game Jam platform.

See you there.