Ready, set, go! 

Startup Madeira, as part of the eGames Lab consortium, and with the support of Digital Valley Portugal, organized GameJam+ Madeira – an intensive 48-hour game development marathon, developed in the context of the global GameJam+ initiative. 

GameJam+ Madeira took place simultaneously with all the GameJam’s organized around the world. The opening session was attended by the Regional Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Culture, who said that “this intensive journey marks the path of the young participants, being an opportunity and moment of affirmation”. 

At 7PM on Friday, October 20, the organization revealed the themes and guidelines that the teams needed to consider while developing their game. 

As soon as the 48hours countdown started, the teams started their work, and between October 18 and October 20m the teams focused on developing a game concept and prototype. But they were not alone! The teams had the support of 10 regional, national and international mentors. These mentors, specialists in various fields, were tasked with accompanying the teams throughout the game development process, from the initial brainstorming to the stage of creating a business model for the video game developed. 

Throughout the 48-hour initiative, the teams were challenged to share the progress of their work in ‘check point’ moments. These moments proved to be important for the mentors to realize what stage of development the teams were at, as well as generating a sharing of ideas, experiences and feedback between all the participants. 

At the end of the final day (20th October), the teams were challenged to present their final product (game prototype and business model) to all the other participants, mentors and the organization. This final sharing allowed final feedback from the mentors. Immediately afterwards, 10 game prototypes were submitted on the final platform for later assessment by the international jury. These 48 hours marked the start of an 8-month incubation program for 9 of 10 teams that wanted to proceed to the next phase! 

This project was developed by Startup Madeira, as part of the eGames Lab consortium, with the support of Digital Valley Portugal. 

Check the clip.