Tirana was buzzing with creativity last weekend as Game Jam Albania 3.0 took over Coolab for a weekend filled with imagination, innovation, and teamwork. From October 10–13, the co-working space transformed into a creative playground where over 150 participants and visitors gathered to design and build games from scratch, all under one theme: “Only One Rule.”
This third edition of the Game Jam marked a new milestone for Albania’s growing creative tech scene. Over 27 teams, guided by 12 mentors and evaluated by 4 international jury members, dove headfirst into 48 hours of coding, storytelling, art, and design. Supported by 15 volunteers, the event pulsed with collaboration, learning, and boundless energy, from brainstorming sessions to the final presentations on Monday night.
Winners and Playable Creations
At the end of the marathon, the international jury selected the standout projects of Game Jam Albania 3.0.
1st Place – ApeMafia (€500 prize by Junior Achievement of Albania)
2nd Place – Kuzat (€300 prize by Outerlynx)
3rd Place – MadeInKorca (LeFuture Special Award (€250 store credit))
All the submitted games are now available to explore and play on the official itch.io page:
https://itch.io/jam/game-jam-3-0/entries
Each game reflects a unique interpretation of the theme “Only One Rule,” blending storytelling, design, and gameplay in innovative ways that highlight the growing talent of Albania’s game development community.
More Than Just Games
Beyond the competition, Game Jam Albania continues to serve as a platform for young creators to connect, collaborate, and turn their ideas into reality. Throughout the weekend, designers joined forces with programmers they had just met, storytellers crafted immersive worlds, and mentors offered guidance through moments of challenge and discovery.
This year’s edition welcomed more participants from Kosovo and North Macedonia than ever before, highlighting the growing regional engagement and reinforcing Game Jam Albania as a hub for creativity and collaboration in the Balkans.
Community Effort and Support
The success of Game Jam Albania 3.0 was made possible thanks to the dedication and support of numerous partners, mentors, and volunteers who shared the same vision of empowering the next generation of creators.
Key supporters included:
- Coolab – the home of the community for the past three years
- NODE Lab Studios – for bringing the jam’s energy to life through podcasts and livestreams
- Junior Achievement of Albania – for connecting the event to EU Code Week
- Swiss EP (Swiss Entrepreneurship Program Albania) – supporting mentor participation
- LeFutur – for contributing the 3rd place award
- Zoe Creativz Agency – for their creative coverage throughout the event
- Red Bull – for keeping everyone energized
- Birra e Gjyshit, Kunorë, and Uji Mida – for making the celebrations extra special
The team also extended heartfelt gratitude to all volunteers, mentors, and jury members who gave their time and energy to make the event a success. The community-led fundraiser played an essential role too, helping cover participant meals and key logistics throughout the creative marathon.
What’s Next
Game Jam Albania 3.0 proved that the region’s creative tech scene is growing fast, driven by passion and collaboration. The team is already preparing new mentorship programs, regional partnerships, and the next edition of the Jam.
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