Highlights

The Turkic Game Jam 2026, held from June 5–7, has successfully concluded as one of the largest regional game hackathons bringing together international game developers. As part of this initiative spanning the Turkic world, participants had 48 hours to create original game prototypes based on shared thematic directions. The 2026 edition saw significant growth compared to the previous year, featuring more than 200 participants and over 80 submitted game prototypes. The Azerbaijan stage, jointly organized by Gamepons and IGDA Azerbaijan, with the support of the Yaradici Center, brought together more than 70 participants across 20+ teams. One of the key features of the project is its open-ended thematic approach inspired by Turkic cultural heritage. This year, participants were presented with themes including Ceremony, Nomad, Knot, Sky, and Fire, allowing them to explore creative ideas across a wide range of genres and gameplay mechanics. The strongest teams selected during the local stage are currently continuing to develop their projects in preparation for representing Azerbaijan at the international Grand Final. The 2026 Grand Final will take place in Hungary. Turkic Game Jam continues to grow as a platform that contributes to the development of the Turkic game ecosystem, helps discover emerging talent, and strengthens regional collaboration. #gamepons #igdaazerbaijan #turkicgamejam #gamejam