Game Anglia to host Norwich Games Festival Jam in 2026

Game Anglia is yet again hosting the popular Norwich Games Festival Game Jam this May, expanding the event by introducing an exciting pre-festival format.

Now in its third year, the Norwich Games Festival Jam invites participants of all experience levels, from developers and artists, to students and complete beginners, to create an original game that will be showcased during the festival. Everyone is welcome, whether it’s their first experience of game development, or they are seasoned professionals. The initiative offers a unique opportunity for creators to develop projects that will be played and enjoyed by the public throughout the week.

The Norwich Games Festival Jam will take place between 11– 25 May on the itch.io platform. It is an online game jam designed with a no-crunch ethos. This flexible format encourages participants to work at their own pace, fostering creativity without the pressure of intensive deadlines. Throughout the jam, participants can connect via the Game Anglia Network Discord, where they can chat with the Game Anglia team as well as other jammers and developers from across the region.

All submitted games meeting the eligibility criteria will be exhibited in-person at The Forum in Norwich between 26 – 30 May, where visitors can explore a diverse range of new creations, engage directly with developers’ work, and vote for their favourites.

Game jam submissions will also be evaluated by a panel of industry professionals, with winners announced at a live awards ceremony on Saturday 30 May at The Forum, in front of festival attendees.

The Game Jam forms part of the wider Norwich Games Festival, an eight-day celebration featuring hands-on gameplay, retro arcades, virtual reality experiences, talks, workshops, and industry-focused events, alongside a wide range of free activities for visitors to enjoy.

You can sign up for the jam here: https://itch.io/jam/norwich-games-festival-jam-2026