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| (Image Source: PocketGamer.biz/Zoud) |
Zoud, the United Arab Emirates’ National Financial Wellbeing & Sustainability Initiative, and Global Game Jam (GGJ) have announced the launch of Zoud GameLab, a new international game jam inviting developers and creators to build games centered around financial literacy. Taking place virtually on October 15-November 15, 2026, Zoud GameLab will bring together developers, designers, artists, writers and other creators from around the world to turn financial concepts and everyday money decisions into engaging gameplay. Ahead of the jam, a pre-jam learning programme will begin on September 15th with resources and expert-led sessions to help participants explore the theme and develop their ideas.
Zoud GameLab brings together Zoud’s mandate to advance financial wellbeing with Global Game Jam’s expertise and global game development community with the aim of creating new and creative ways to engage people with financial concepts through games. “At Zoud, we are always looking for new and creative ways to make financial wellbeing more accessible and engaging. Through Zoud GameLab, we are tapping into the creativity of game creators around the world to explore how financial concepts can be brought to life through play. We also hope to see strong participation from developers across the UAE and the region, bringing local perspectives to the games and ideas that emerge” said Zoud Program Director Natalia El Menhall. Global Game Jam welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with Zoud on the initiative. “Game jams are the perfect vehicle to engage developers in tackling complex, real-world topics in creative ways. Financial literacy is exactly the kind of challenge that can push jammers to think differently about both design and impact,” said Global Game Jam Executive Director Maria Burns Ortiz.
A Global, Fully Virtual Jam
Zoud GameLab is open to participants worldwide, making it possible for game creators to take part regardless of location. During the month-long jam, participants will be able to form teams, develop their concepts and submit their games. The jam is open to creators of all levels and backgrounds, including studios, whether they have experience developing educational games or are completely new to the topic of financial literacy. Participants will be challenged to integrate financial literacy meaningfully into their games, with this forming part of the judging criteria. Those competing for the top awards will also be required to submit a project budget, putting their own financial planning skills into practice as part of the challenge.
Rewarding The Best Games
Zoud GameLab will recognize the strongest entries across a range of award categories with funding and prizes awarded across the best overall game, runner-up and third place, alongside additional awards recognizing games that effectively contribute to financial literacy, bring regional perspectives and deliver compelling gameplay. The jam will have a shared prize and funding pool of up to US$140,000.
Resources And Learning Opportunities
Participants will have access to a range of financial literacy and game development resources to help them explore the theme and strengthen their ideas. To support the meaningful integration of financial literacy into their games, participants will be encouraged to draw on the expertise and resources available throughout the programme. These will include webinars and interactive workshops held ahead of and during the jam featuring experts in financial literacy and serious game development, a dedicated guide to creating a financial literacy game, a curated collection of financial literacy resources including different ways to explore financial concepts through games and examples of existing financial literacy games, and drop-in office hours and/or one-to-one sessions with subject matter experts throughout the jam.
The pre-jam programme and initial resources to be launched on September 15, 2026 will give participants an opportunity to learn more about the theme and start thinking about their game concepts before the jam begins. Interested participants can visit zoud.ae/gamelab to register for the jam.
