Are you ready to level up education through games? The iLevelUP National Game Jam is a bold upcoming initiative designed to merge creativity, education, and equity in one exciting event. We’re gearing up to spark innovation by creating as many as 100 new games – and we need you to help make it happen! This nationwide game jam (date Coming Soon) will challenge participants to build fun, impactful games that help young people navigate their academic and career journey. This national game jam is a movement to empower students through the belief that a game can change a life.
Who Can Participate?
This event welcomes a broad range of contributors. Whether you’re an industry veteran or a student newbie, if you’re passionate about game creation and making a difference, we want you on board:
- Game designers & developers – professionals, indie developers, and hobbyists alike.
- Game design students – at any level (high school, college, etc.), including campus game-dev clubs.
- Game design & development instructors – mentors who can guide and inspire student teams.
If you love designing games or helping others design them, this jam is for you. Our audience strategy is intentionally diverse: students and aspiring indie developers are the primary creators, supported by educators and mentors who provide the scaffolding for success. By involving participants of all skill levels and backgrounds, we aim to build a vibrant community of creators.
All Partners Welcome
It’s not just game creators who can take part – all types of partner participation are welcome and needed! We’re looking to build a strong support network around the jam. That includes:
- Companies and sponsors: Tech firms, game studios, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) teams interested in supporting education and workforce development (through funding, prizes, or mentorship).
- Schools and nonprofits: College access programs, educational institutions, and youth organizations that can rally student teams or provide mentors.
- Community groups & media: Gaming influencers, streamers, and even national media outlets who can help amplify this event’s reach and inspire others.
Whether you can offer resources, mentorship, publicity, or platforms for participants, there’s a role for you. By bringing together sponsors, educators, and community allies, we’ll ensure this initiative gains national attention and maximum impact. Everyone who believes in the power of games for good is invited to partner with us.
Any Game, Any Genre – Just Make It Fun!
We welcome a wide range of game styles, genres, and storytelling formats—as long as the final product is fun, uplifting, and aligns with our mission to guide students toward future careers. Whether it’s inspired by mobile adventures, PC/console quests, VR simulations, or even tabletop mechanics, your creation should be a web-based experience built with React and Node.js. Content should be appropriate for a teen audience—think “T for Teen” tone—so that it’s inclusive, motivating, and school-friendly.
The key is that each game should entertain and help players on their journey toward a future career or educational goal. In other words, we’re looking for games that are not only engaging but also empowering – games that might help a first-generation student navigate college life, spark a new interest, or practice real-world skills in a playful way.
So go wild with your creativity! Whether it’s an action-packed adventure that doubles as a financial literacy lesson or a storytelling game about college applications, all ideas are welcome. The only requirement is that your game concept embraces the spirit of “leveling up” a young person’s life through learning and fun.
Why Join the Game Jam?
Joining the iLevelUP Game Jam is more than an opportunity to create games; it’s a chance to make a difference. Different participants will gain different things from the experience:
- For students & indie developers: It’s a chance to turn your creativity into real-world impact, build your portfolio, and showcase your skills on a national stage.
- For educators & mentors: It offers a platform to elevate your students beyond the classroom and engage them in experiential learning with nationwide visibility.
- For corporate partners & sponsors: You get to align with a cause – supporting equity in education and workforce development – while also spotting emerging talent and demonstrating corporate social responsibility.
- For influencers & media: You’ll have a fresh, mission-driven story to share with your audience – highlighting how games can change lives for the better.
In short, by participating you become part of a mission: leveraging the love of games to help first-gen and marginalized students succeed. Plus, game jams are famously fun and fast-paced – you’ll collaborate with passionate people, learn new skills, and create something amazing under a thrilling deadline. It’s an experience that can level up your skills and network, too!
Coming Soon – Get Involved Now
No date? No problem! While the official event schedule is still being finalized (stay tuned for a COMING SOON announcement), you can start getting involved right now. In fact, we need your help to organize and build momentum before the big day. Just click the “Let’s Chat” button below to schedule a time with our team an learn more about how you can:
- Spread the word: Tell your friends, students, colleagues, and communities about the upcoming iLevelUP Game Jam. The more people who know, the bigger our creative army can grow.
- Volunteer or mentor: If you’d like to help shape the event, consider volunteering. We’re seeking organizers, judges, and mentors (for example, experienced developers who can coach student teams). Your expertise or time can make a huge difference.
- Partner with us: Interested in sponsoring the jam, providing resources, or offering prizes/internships for standout teams? Let’s talk! We welcome companies, schools, and nonprofits to join forces in making this event a success.
- Stay updated: Follow our channels and keep an eye on our website for the official announcement. We plan to set up online community spaces (like a Discord server) soon, where participants can start connecting and brainstorming even before the jam begins. Make sure you’re ready to jump in when we say “Go!”
National Game Jam Frequently Asked Questions
A game jam is a time-limited event where individuals or teams design and build playable games, often around a theme or mission—like supporting first-gen students in iLevelUP.
Game jams are open to developers, designers, students, recent grads, instructors, and even beginners. iLevelUP welcomes partners from all backgrounds. If you’re interested in getting involved, schedule a time to chat, here: https://calendar.app.google/CxPP84jMLkjExRNP8
Yes! Many game jams are virtual and student-friendly. iLevelUP’s upcoming Game Jam will be open to design students and clubs across the U.S. If you’re interested in getting involved, schedule a time to chat, here: https://calendar.app.google/CxPP84jMLkjExRNP8
We’re open to a variety of game formats—as long as they’re fun, purposeful, and designed to inspire. iLevelUP invites creative web-based experiences that support career exploration and student engagement, without limiting genre or style. If you’re interested in getting involved, schedule a time to chat, here: https://calendar.app.google/CxPP84jMLkjExRNP8
You can express interest in organizing a satellite jam or partnering with iLevelUP directly. We’re seeking instructors and student clubs to help lead. If you’re interested in getting involved, schedule a time to chat, here: https://calendar.app.google/CxPP84jMLkjExRNP8
Yes. Game studios and tech sponsors can support student-led creativity while recruiting talent and mentoring diverse creators. If you’re interested in getting involved, schedule a time to chat, here: https://calendar.app.google/CxPP84jMLkjExRNP8
Absolutely! Many game jams are beginner-friendly. iLevelUP is creating space for mentorship and team-based collaboration. If you’re interested in getting involved, schedule a time to chat, here: https://calendar.app.google/CxPP84jMLkjExRNP8
To build 100+ games that guide first-generation students through career pathways—using fun, relatable, and empowering gameplay. If you’re interested in getting involved, schedule a time to chat, here: https://calendar.app.google/CxPP84jMLkjExRNP8
Dates are coming soon! Sign up to stay in the loop and help us launch this nationwide effort. If you’re interested in getting involved, schedule a time to chat, here: https://calendar.app.google/CxPP84jMLkjExRNP8
Whether you’re a designer, educator, student, or sponsor, and are interested in getting involved, schedule a time to chat, here: https://calendar.app.google/CxPP84jMLkjExRNP8