“Global Game Jam 2026,” the world’s largest game development event held simultaneously in over 100 countries, will be held in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. Hosted by GemPai, a domestic game publishing platform, the event will take place from 7:30 PM on January 30th to 3:00 PM on February 1st at Grand Canyon, located on the basement level of the Two Sun World Building, 221 Pangyo Station-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si.
48-Hour Creative Marathon with Gempie
GemPai is recruiting participants for the world’s largest game jam event, held simultaneously in over 100 countries. The Global Game Jam, held annually, is the world’s largest collaborative game development event, a hackathon-style event where participants form teams and create games within a short period of time.
The Pangyo event venue is located in the Two Sun World Building, a 14-minute walk from Exit 4 of Pangyo Station on the Shinbundang Line. Parking is available, making it easily accessible. Registration begins on January 6th and runs until January 26th. Participation is free.
Global networking in Pangyo
The biggest appeal of the GemPy Pangyo Game Jam is that game developers from around the world work together on the same theme, at the same time. Based on a common theme announced at the start of the event, participants are free to implement their ideas. There are no restrictions on formats, including 2D, 3D, and digital games, as well as board games and games utilizing alternative controllers, allowing for a wide range of experiments.
Pangyo, in particular, is the epicenter of the domestic gaming industry, providing an ideal networking opportunity for developers, planners, and artists from diverse backgrounds. During the event, participants will have the unique opportunity to meet new people, gain collaborative experience, and showcase a completed game in just 48 hours.
GemPie, a leader in supporting indie game developers.
GemPy is a publishing platform for indie game developers, supporting the entire process from game launch to marketing and monetization. By hosting this global game jam, the company aims to revitalize the domestic game development community and provide a platform for budding developers to gain hands-on experience.
Last year, GemPai successfully hosted a global game jam in Seoul. In 2025, the event ran for three days from January 24th to 26th at the Seoul Startup Hub in Magok-dong, Seoul, where many participants created meaningful games. This year, the event moved to Pangyo, and we anticipate attracting even more game industry professionals and aspiring developers.
Anyone can participate, applications accepted until January 23rd.
A key feature of the Global Game Jam is that anyone can participate, regardless of experience or skill level. People from diverse backgrounds, including professional game developers, students, educators, and creative professionals, come together and collaborate. Even those with no programming experience can contribute to the team through planning, art, or sound design.
The event encourages rapid prototyping and experimentation, encouraging participants to share ideas, techniques, and perspectives. Many participants have entered the gaming industry as a result of this event, and there are many cases where projects that began at game jams have evolved into actual commercial games.
Applications for participation can be made through the Gempai channel on Eventus (event-us.kr). The deadline is 11:30 PM on January 26th, and participation is free. For further inquiries regarding the event, please visit the official Gempai channel.
GGJ Zempie Application Page: https://event-us.kr/zempie/event/119104
GGJ Zempie Pangyo Official Page: https://globalgamejam.org/jam-sites/2026/ggj-2026-zempie-pangyo-korea
Global Game Jam website: https://globalgamejam.org/
Event Details – [GGJ 2026 Gempa Pangyo]
Friday, January 30, 2026, 7:30 PM – Sunday, February 1, 2026, 4:00 PM
Until 11:59 PM on Friday, January 23, 2026 (may close early if capacity is reached)
About 50 people in total
-Game planning and PM: approximately 10 people
-Game programming: about 25 people
-Graphic artists: approximately 15 people
Applicants will be reviewed by the management between January 20th and 22nd and will be transferred to a confirmed status.
Applicants who have been converted to confirmed must deposit a deposit of 10,000 won by January 26th to prevent no-shows to confirm their participation.
