The Bahrain Game Jam 2018 Summery

About the Bahrain Game Jam

The first version of the Bahrain Game Jam got initatiated on the 29th of November, 2018, and over the next 48 hours game developers created games around a theme of Twist.

Thanks to the Amazing Partenrship between the Bahrain Internet Society and Bahrain Polytechnic, and the sponsors and supporters of the community the Bahrain Game Jam was and amazing success.

Over 20 participants made 9 games; 5 of those games are available online to try on (https://itch.io/jam/the-bahrain-game-jam).

A Jam Packed Game Jam

Free Game Development Workshops

The Bahrain Game Jam Kicked off with free game development workshops provided by the Game Development communities Unreal Bahrain and Unity Devs Syndicate. Where the workshops covered the basics of Unreal Engine and Unity 3D to enable the participants to compete. The workshops were given at Bahrain Polytechnic, The University of Bahrain, CH9, and BRINC @Batelco.

Discussion Panel

The discussion panel so regional and local experts discuss selected topics that aim to raise awareness of the game development industry and the gaming culture that surrounds it. Among them were:

What is needed to start a game development business in Bahrain?
Gaming Culture
Why Develop Games for a Cause?
Truths about Indie Game Development

Onsite Training

Unity Technologies arranged for an hour and a half session of unity onsite training for the game jammers focused on tile sets and developing games in a short time span for the jam.

Streamed Coverage

The Local Streamer Quick Silver streamed the entire event in Partnership with OP Network, the stream contained gameplay and light interviews with the game developers.

Another stream in April is planned to follow up with each team individually to have a more detailed interview in regards to their experience and game development progress.

Gaming Corner – Sponsored by Batelco

A Batelco gaming booth was setup to allow the game jammers and site visitors to relax and enjoy a bit of socializing over gaming

Mentorship & Guidance

Seven Mentors provided their guidance the game developers in the jam, these mentors came from different backgrounds and were able to support the participants in different fields.

The End of the Jam

A total of 2000 BHD was awarded to the winners of the Bahrain Game Jam in 2018 for the First, Second, Third, and Category prizes.

Some Stats

Games Made

Male 73% 73%
Female 27% 27%

Intertwine – Won First Place

About the Game

Platform: PC

Engine: Unity 3D

Intertwine is a Bahrain Game Jam submission game! It revolves around the theme “Twist”.

One dark night, where the rain poured and the thunder rumbled. Young Timothy awakes to his bedroom door creaking open. Beyond it, a voice calls out to him; asks him to follow. In return, the voice promises him power, the power to Twist Time and Space to his will. Using his new powers, Timothy explores the mansion he is in to pursue the voice that calls out to him. But what exactly does this voice want from Young Timothy?

Husain Alaam

Mahdi Fathalla

Mahmood AlSarhani

The Maniac – Won Second Place

About the Game

Platform: PC

Engine: Unity 3D

Ghosts are involved.

Tareq Saleh AlJasmi

Omar Adel AlShaiji

Raihane Akkache

Arm Phawadee

Fluitity – Won Third Place

About the Game

Platform: Mobile

Engine: Construct 2

A game that brings awareness to the state of the ocean and the pollution in it.

Help save the fish and clean up the sea in this single and multiplayer arcade game!

Bandar Ali

Mohammed Mishal

The Bahrain Game Jam 2018 GALARY

The Bahrain Game Jam 2018 Judges

DR. CHRISTOS GATZOULIS

ICT Programme Manager, Bahrain Polytechnic

MONEIM ALI

Assistant Tutor, Bahrain Polytechnic

FARID BEN SALEM

Jack of All Trades

TARIQ MUKHTTAR

Video Games Unit Manager, Manga Productions

SALIM ZEIN

Founder, ECDC

ARTHUR ROGERY

Project Manager / Lead developer, ECDC

DR. SAMA’A ALHASHIMI

Assistant Professor in Graphic Design and Digital Media Department of Communication, Tourism, and Fine Arts University of Bahrain

The Mentors of Coaches of the Jam

ALI ALKHALIFA

Co-Founder of OP Network and a true passionative person for Game Development

LANA ALATTAR

Founder of the Google Developer Group in Bahrain and your above than average coder

“I build gorgeous, perfect UIUX and functional products. Ask me to review what you are making =)”

MAHMOOD ALSARHANI

Developer, Story Writer, Dungeon Master, Gamer and much more.

Founder of Unity Devs Syndicate and Founder & Game Developer of Regnum Studio

NASSER ALALAWI

Founding Member of Bahrain Tabletop House that Introduced role-playing in Bahrain and helped to spread it

MOHAMMED ALSHIRAWI

Active Member of Bahrain Tabletop House with a focus on the TTRPG Dungeons & Dragons in Bahrain

MUSAB ALMALKI

Founded Two Startups then joined Badir for Technology and BIAC Company as Incubator, Accelerator and Project Manager to work and establish Incubator and Accelerator Around Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.