The GameUp Africa Jam for Democracy launched its onboarding and training phase from December 9th to 13th, 2024, at the American Corner in Lekki and Ikeja, Lagos. This impactful initiative, hosted by Maliyo Games in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General Lagos and Global Game Jam, brought together over 60 participants daily, including game developers, storytellers, artists, sound engineers, and civic activists, to tackle the urgent issue of disinformation through gaming.

With 156 registered participants, 68 in teams, and 19 game pitches submitted, the event provided expert-led sessions, interactive activities, and practical tools designed to equip attendees with the knowledge and inspiration to build impactful games. If you couldn’t join us, here’s a comprehensive recap of the week, offering a deep dive into the talks, activities, and collaborative moments that made the training phase an unforgettable success.

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Day 1: Setting the Scene

The first day welcomed 53 in-person and virtual attendees, laying the groundwork for the jam’s theme: using games to combat disinformation.

Key Highlights:

• Understanding Disinformation: Brittany Orange from the U.S. Consulate General Lagos delivered an insightful session on recognizing misinformation, disinformation, and malformation, setting a critical foundation for participants.
• Interactive Teambuilding: Participants sharpened their critical thinking skills by spotting misleading information in advertisements and publications.
• Creative Brainstorming: Teams participated in a mystery bag challenge, using random items to pitch game ideas in just 20 minutes, showcasing their creativity and enthusiasm.

The day concluded with team introductions and creation of a dynamic Discord community, fostering collaboration and communication throughout the jam.

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Day 2: Basics of Game Design

Day 2 focused on providing participants (67 in attendance) with a solid foundation in game design and the tools to create impactful gameplay experiences.

Key Highlights:

• Media Literacy Through Gaming: Participants explored the Cat Park Game, which demonstrated how games can drive awareness about disinformation.
• Game Design Fundamentals: Dorothy Orina, Program Manager at GameUp Africa, broke down the essentials of game design, covering topics such as player engagement and mechanics.
• Integrating Themes into Games: Michael Fagbemi, lead game developer at Maliyo Games, explored how disinformation themes could be embedded seamlessly into gameplay, recommending tools like Miro for brainstorming and prototyping.
• Collaborative Ideation: Teams refined their initial ideas and pitched them for feedback, taking their first steps toward turning concepts into playable games.

Takeaway: Strong themes, supported by iterative collaboration, are key to creating engaging and meaningful games.

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Day 3: Understanding the Landscape

Day 3 offered participants (64 in attendance) an in-depth understanding of the broader disinformation landscape in Africa, complemented by case studies and innovative solutions.

Key Highlights:

• Disinformation in Africa: Brittany Orange discussed the vulnerabilities within the African media landscape and the societal impact of misinformation.
• Case Studies in Nigeria:
  • Climate Change Disinformation: Lanre Olagunju from Check Climate Africa shared how storytelling could counter false narratives about climate change.
  • Infodemic Management: Kingsley Igwebuike from WHO provided insights into disinformation management during humanitarian crises.
• Gamification and AI: Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, CEO of Rise Networks, showcased how gaming and AI tools could educate audiences and combat fake news effectively.
• Pitching Masterclass: Oluwaremilekun Odegbami, game designer at Maliyo Games, provided a step-by-step guide on crafting compelling game pitches, focusing on preparation and audience engagement.

Takeaway: Combating disinformation requires innovative tools, collaboration, and a deep understanding of societal vulnerabilities.

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Day 4: Tools, Resilience, and Mock Pitches

With the final pitch day looming, 65 participants engaged in practical sessions to refine their game ideas and strengthen their technical skills.

Key Highlights:

• Fact-Checking Tools: Participants learned about tools like PimEyes and TinEye, designed to verify information and tackle disinformation.
• Media Amplification: Experts Michael Babatunde (WAMBA) and Hannah Ajakiye (FactsMatterNG) discussed strategies for combating disinformation on social media platforms.
• Resilience and Creativity: Nigerian musician and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Patoranking, delivered an inspiring talk, encouraging participants to dream big and stay focused on their goals, reminding them that “Nobody understands the dream more than the dreamer.”
• Mock Pitching: Teams presented their refined game concepts to mentors and peers, receiving constructive feedback to polish their ideas.

Takeaway: Fact-checking tools and collaboration are critical, but resilience and creativity drive the creation of impactful games.

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Day 5: Pitch Day

The week culminated in Pitch Day, with 75 participants presenting their game concepts to a distinguished panel of judges.

Key Highlights:

• Project Management Masterclass: The Maliyo Games team provided strategies for effective time and team management, preparing participants for the development phase.
• Final Pitches: 19 teams delivered their pitches to judges like Eyram Tawia (Leti Arts), Maria Burns Ortiz (Global Game Jam),  Kish Hirani (KISS Publishing Ltd), and Paul Fischer (U.S. State Department). The level of creativity and innovation on display was remarkable.
• Closing Remarks: Hugo Obi, CEO of Maliyo Games, expressed gratitude to the participants, partners, and organizers, emphasizing the importance of tackling disinformation through creativity and technology.

Takeaway: Preparation, collaboration, and attention to detail are essential for turning innovative concepts into impactful projects.

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What’s Next? Preparing for the Final Results

With the Peer Review Phase (21st December – 3rd January) successfully completed, participants had the opportunity to play, rate, and provide constructive feedback on 27 submitted games via the GameUp Africa itch.io page. This process not only helped refine ideas but also fostered community collaboration and celebrated the collective creativity of the jam.

Currently, the Judging Phase (21st December – 10th January) is in full swing, with our esteemed panel of judges evaluating submissions based on:

1. Innovation and Creativity: Originality of concept and execution.
2. Gameplay: Fun factor, mechanics, and player experience.
3. Presentation: Clarity, polish, and narrative design.
4. Viability: Potential for further development and real-world impact.

As we near the January 10th deadline, we eagerly await the announcement of the winners on January 13, 2025. From innovative gameplay to impactful storytelling, the final results will recognize excellence while offering participants valuable insights to continue refining their craft.

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Stay Updated

Stay tuned for updates as we celebrate the conclusion of the GameUp Africa Jam for Democracy! Follow us on social media @maliyogames, explore the itch.io page, and join us in acknowledging the incredible efforts of all participants who’ve worked tirelessly to use games as a medium for change.