Iraq Game Jam 2026
Organizer & Mentor, Basra site
I organized the Basra site of one of Iraq's leading game jams, mentored the teams, gave a talk on finishing a game on time, and built a kiosk that lets visitors play games from past editions.
- Organizer
- Mentor
- Speaker
- Kiosk developer
- When
- August 27–29, 2026
- Where
- Ayman Bookstore, Basra
- With
- Dudes Studio, with Tafa3ul Hub and Baghdad Game Lab
Recap
About the event
Iraq Game Jam is one of the country's leading game development events. It brings together developers, artists, designers, musicians and writers, from beginners to professionals, who form teams and build a complete game from scratch in just three days.
The 2026 edition ran in Baghdad, Basra and online at the same time, under the theme "Don't Go Outside." It was sponsored by the Goethe-Institut, the Institut français and the French Embassy, and FiberX, and ended with a final showcase in September 2026.
Organizing
I represented Dudes Studio in organizing the Basra site, alongside Tafa3ul Hub and Baghdad Game Lab. I prepared for the three days, set up the working environment for the teams, and oversaw the jam from kickoff to final submissions.
Our goal was to give Basra's developers an experience on par with the capital's, and to make the city a real part of Iraq's growing game development scene.
Mentorship
I mentored the teams throughout the jam:
Shaping ideas
Turning the theme into a clear, achievable game concept.
Scoping
Focusing on core gameplay instead of features the time wouldn't allow.
Technical support
Troubleshooting code and organizing the team's workflow.
Testing and submission
Getting a playable, presentable build out in the final stretch.
Talk: How to Succeed at a Game Jam
A talk on what a game jam really is and how to prepare for it: the common mistakes that sink teams, and practical guidance for finishing a complete game on time. The aim was to help participants, especially beginners, start with realistic expectations and a clear plan.
The talk covered:
Understanding the event
What a game jam is, what judges look for, and why a simple, finished game beats an ambitious, unfinished one.
Pitfalls to avoid
Over-scoping, leaving testing to the last minute, poor communication and task division, and skipping rest and sleep.
Planning
Turning the theme into a clear gameplay idea, building a minimum playable version first, then polishing as time allows.
Tips for jam days
Working in phases, playtesting constantly, preparing a submission build early, and caring about first impressions: sound, the title screen and ease of play.
Kiosk system
I built a kiosk that runs games from previous Iraq Game Jam editions, with Tauri and with help from Claude. It is installed in a dedicated booth, so visitors and participants can browse the collection and play instantly, with no setup.
- Tauri
- Claude
Preserving the jam's legacy
Participants' games stay playable and visible long after each event ends.
A hands-on visitor experience
The public gets a fun, direct look at what Iraqi developers are creating.
Inspiring new participants
Newcomers see real examples of what can be built in just three days.
Outcomes
The jam ended with a final showcase where the teams presented their games.
- 1st placeSimsim's Endless JourneyTeam Timman
- 2nd placeBurn the VampireTeam Game Over
- 3rd placeDon't Make'em Go OutsideTeam C4
Skills
- Event organization
- Mentorship
- Public speaking
- Game development
- Tauri
- Desktop apps
- AI-assisted development
- Partner & sponsor collaboration
Let's build something together
Have an idea, a project or a role in mind? Send me a message and I'll get back to you.