Digital Schoolhouse with Kucheza Gaming, Edu360, Into Games and theme by WaterAid are delighted to introduce Mobo Game Jam, a global game-making challenge which will see young innovators from across the globe compete to create games that combine creativity, compassion and computational thinking to solve a worldwide problem.
This year, we've all experienced fear and uncertainty. No one knows what is next. But no matter what life throws at us, we all need to rely on clean water.
Our changing climate is already affecting our access to this vital resource, most of all for the world's poorest people. Now more than ever, we need to start thinking about how we ensure that everyone everywhere, has access to clean water.
785 million people in the world – one in ten – do not have clean water close to home. 40% of these people live in sub-Saharan Africa.
Individuals and teams aged 8-18 years are challenged to submit a game or game concept that explores how to achieve a future where everyone has access to clean water. Entries must meet a brief set by WaterAid, which has been bought to life in a mini film by the renowned storyteller Grandma Wura, a fictional character from Proud African Roots.
Young people keen to take part will have from 10:00am GMT on Thursday 17 December 2020 to 23:59pm GMT on Thursday 4 February 2021 to submit their video game prototypes via video submission. Entrants will be allowed to submit their prototypes digitally or physically.
Want to get involved? You can register here: mobojam.org
Winners will get the opportunity to see their games showcased live, spreading awareness of the importance of making clean water available to everyone in the defence against climate change.
Participants will also receive free virtual masterclasses from industry experts to help improve their digital skills. Additionally, the Game Jam aims to encourage cultural exchange between entrants by promoting inclusivity, sustainability, and humanity in their ideas.
Why climate change?
By 2040, 1 in 4 children (600 million) will live in regions where water is dangerously scarce.
Our changing climate is a major barrier to ensuring all people are always able to access a safe, consistent supply of water to drink – close to their homes. The world’s poorest people are directly experiencing the impacts of climate change right now, through more common and more extreme floods and droughts and changing weather patterns.
A reliable source of clean water is the first line of defence against the impact of our changing climate on people’s lives and livelihoods. It’s the difference between coping and not coping with life on our warming planet.
Any plans to tackle climate change that don’t include reliable access to clean water for everyone, everywhere will fail. They will have failed to consider a resource that none of us can live without.
Want to get involved? You can register here: mobojam.org
Any questions? Please email Laura at laura@ukie.org.uk