This year’s Global Game Jam was nothing short of amazing! Over the course of 48 hours, game developers, designers, and creatives of all backgrounds came together to create original games based on the 2025 theme: "Bubble." From fast-paced party games to strategic card battles, every creation found a unique way to incorporate the theme, proving once again that creativity thrives under constraint.
Kicking Off with the Big Reveal
We started the weekend by watching the theme reveal as a group, eagerly anticipating what challenge we’d be tackling. When “Bubble” was announced, the room buzzed with excitement—and maybe a little bit of “Wait… what do we do with that?” But as always, the ideas started flowing, and soon teams were off to the races, brainstorming, designing, and prototyping their games.
A Special Collaboration with Games for Change
This year, GGJ partnered with Games for Change to offer an exciting opportunity for young developers. Participants ages 18-25 now have the chance to take their GGJ creations and further develop them for a $10,000 scholarship competition! This initiative adds an extra layer of impact, encouraging jammers to refine their work and showcase the power of games as a medium for change.
Sunday Demos: From Squid Game Vibes to Blackjack with a Twist
After a whirlwind weekend of designing, coding, and playtesting, Sunday’s demos were a highlight. Here are some of the standout games:
🎭 Don’t Pop the Bubble – Created by Ben Sottile
A high-energy fusion of Squid Game-inspired suspense and hot potato chaos. Players passed a ball around a circle while music played, but when the music stopped—pop! A random challenge appeared. Whether it was a birthday lineup race, a push-up competition, or a quick-fire game of tag, the game kept everyone on their toes.
🃏 Bubble Blackjack – Created by Luz Perez, Cesar Lorenzo, and Jeremy Chamberlin
A fresh twist on the classic card game, Bubble Blackjack added wild cards that could change the value ceiling (e.g., from 21 to 24 or 27), let players steal cards from opponents, or even offer immunity from penalties. Instead of busting, losing players earned "pins"—and collecting five meant their bubble popped, knocking them out of the game! A strategic, unpredictable take on a familiar favorite.
Wrapping Up the Weekend
Global Game Jam 2025 was a celebration of innovation, teamwork, and the power of play. Whether participants were seasoned developers or first-time jammers, everyone walked away with new skills, new friends, and—most importantly—a game they created in just one weekend.
As we look ahead, we can’t wait to see how some of these games evolve—especially those submitted for the Games for Change scholarship opportunity!
Until next year… keep creating, keep collaborating, and keep jamming! 🎮✨
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