The Global Game Jam 2024 in Novska, organized by the Entrepreneurship Incubator PISMO powered by A1 and the Croatian Association of Game Developers HU-IZ-VI, once again boasts the highest number of participants nationwide. Over 80 competitors form 19 teams, vying for prizes provided by A1 Croatia Ltd., White Shark gaming gear brand, VIDI media house, Reboot regional gaming magazine, and Coeto. Participants from across Croatia were welcomed by a large organizational team and numerous entertainment activities in Novska's sports hall.
The competition's opening, led by Iris Pilipović, introduced the organizing entities and greeted the attendees on behalf of the PISMO Incubator powered by A1. Welcome speeches were also given by Dominik Cvetkovski from HU-IZ-VI, Andreja Šeperac representing the Regional Coordinator of SMŽ and the Development Agency of Sisak-Moslavina County SI-MO-RE, Novska's Deputy Mayor Siniša Kesić, Benjamin Noah Maričak from the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Maja Fistrić from A1 Croatia Ltd., and Mihael Jurić, Deputy County Prefect of Sisak-Moslavina County. They extended good wishes to the participants for a successful competition and expressed hopes for more gamedev events.
This year, participants will also engage in a workshop focusing on the importance of preserving online health – combating hate speech! #BetterOnline is a platform by A1 Croatia Ltd. aimed at making the internet a safer and more positive space for everyone. By highlighting the benefits and dangers of technology, the goal is to contribute to health, well-being, and connectivity. Competitors will also have a moment for exercise, lifting themselves from their workstations to activate their bodies for a few minutes before returning to their development world.
The theme of this year's competition is "Make Me Laugh." The competition concludes on January 28th at 5 PM, followed by the presentation of completed works and evaluation by the expert jury. Completed video games will be assessed by the jury, consisting of Kristijan Škarica (Gepek, Coeto i Degenerika), Nikola Kovač (Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek), Daniela Spasovska (MAGDA), Vedran Klanac (Ocean Media), and Dominik Cvetkovski (ANIQ). The judging criteria include the best gameplay, graphics, and presentations of completed works.
The best adult team will receive a prize of €1,500, a Playstation 5 Bundle, and a subscription to the VIDI magazine. The best high school team will be awarded a set of White Shark brand equipment. Reboot gaming magazine will also reward the top-ranked teams with an Indie package for two people for one of the world's largest boutique games conferences – Reboot Develop Blue 2024, taking place in Dubrovnik from April 22nd to 24th this year. Coeto will grant the top teams free three-year access to the platform, and all other participants will receive one year of free access. Additionally, sponsors of this year's competition include Monster Energy, Coca-Cola, PC play, and the Croatian Audiovisual Centre.
Source: inkubator-pismo.hr, January 27, 2024.
