Abu Dhabi Gaming has successfully concluded the SHIFT Game Jam, a creative game development initiative delivered in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, bringing together aspiring developers, students and creatives to reimagine Emirati heritage through interactive digital experiences.
The three-day competition, held at the Activities Management Building of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, challenged participants to develop original games inspired by cultural identity, storytelling and heritage, showcasing how innovation and tradition can meet in modern game development. The event demonstrated Abu Dhabi Gaming’s commitment to nurturing local talent, fostering creativity and strengthening the emirate’s role as a leading hub for game development and innovation in the region. The initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi Gaming’s broader vision to support grassroots game development and foster a sustainable creative ecosystem across the emirate.
The SHIFT Game Jam marks the ninth game jam organized by Abu Dhabi Gaming in 2025, underscoring the consistency and scalability of its talent development programmes. This growing series of game jams plays a critical role in identifying, nurturing and empowering emerging developers from schools, universities and the wider creative community, offering them hands-on exposure to professional tools, collaborative mentorship and real-world industry standards.
The competition concluded yesterday with winners across two categories sharing a total prize pool of AED 50,000.
School Category Winners
- 1st Place: Where Sands Remember
- 2nd Place: Outer World
- 3rd Place: Vision Beyond
Open Category Winners
- 1st Place: Threads of Memory
- 2nd Place: Mandi Mayhem
- 3rd Place: Arabic Calligraphy
Winning teams were recognized for their creativity, technical execution and ability to translate cultural themes into engaging gameplay experiences. Judging criteria focused on originality, narrative depth, cultural relevance and overall game design.
Through initiatives such as the SHIFT Game Jam, Abu Dhabi Gaming and the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority are cultivating the next generation of game creators, bridging heritage and innovation, and inspiring regional audiences to explore Emirati culture through play. These efforts reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a global-facing hub for culturally inspired game development and creative excellence.
Looking ahead, Abu Dhabi Gaming is set to launch the Heritage Gameathon in January 2026, which will mark the first game jam of the year as part of its 2026 programme. Delivered in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the upcoming game jam will continue to spotlight cultural storytelling by inviting participants to draw inspiration from the UAE’s rich heritage and traditions. The Heritage Gameathon reinforces Abu Dhabi Gaming’s commitment to using interactive entertainment as a platform for education, creative expression and talent development.
