Blood, Sweat and Pixels at FI: Looking Back at the First Game Jam and Ahead to the 2026 Edition
The Faculty of Informatics at Masaryk University (FI MU) has long been a breeding ground for talent in digital game development. Game development is not just about code, graphics and engines. It is about collaboration, creativity, the ability to respond quickly to change – and above all about people who are eager to create.
Although the study programmes in this area rank among the best, the faculty’s calendar had long been missing a format that would test students’ skills in real time and under pressure – a classic game jam: a weekend event that turns ideas into playable game prototypes in just a few dozen hours. A group of enthusiasts decided to change that in April 2025, laying the foundations of a new tradition. So what was the first FI Game Jam like, and what awaits participants in March 2026?
When Potential Turns into Action
The idea to organise an intensive development weekend at the faculty did not come out of nowhere. The organising team, led by Vojtěch Brůža, Václav Bílý and Vladimír Žbánek (all from the HCI Lab), felt that the strong community around the game development track deserved a dedicated space for informal meetups and collaborative creation.
“At FI we have an excellent programme focused on game development and a huge number of talented people. It felt like a shame that this potential wasn’t being used for hackathon-style events. We decided to change that,” the organisers explain their motivation for launching the first Game Jam.
2025 in Retrospect: From “Shift Happens” to Playable Prototypes
Five teams took part in the first edition and were tasked with creating a game on the theme “Shift Happens” over a single weekend. The atmosphere in the faculty building was friendly throughout, but as the Sunday deadline approached, it gradually thickened with a healthy dose of creative tension.
The most powerful moment came on Sunday morning. Metaphorically speaking, there was “blood, sweat and pixels” in the air. Most teams had about 80% of their work done, but the critical remaining 20% was still ahead of them – final tuning, bug fixing and polishing, which ultimately determines the quality of the player’s experience.
The result was impressive: five unique titles, among which the rhythm-based shooter RGBeater stood out (play here), challenging players to rapidly switch colours in order to defeat incoming enemies. This combination of a simple core concept and high tempo captured the attention of both the jury and participants.
The organisers were delighted not only by the creativity, but also by the overall quality of the games:
“We saw genuinely fun and well-playable games – even though for some teams this was literally the very first game they had ever created.”
You can explore and play all the projects from last year on the Garigue Games server or on the itch.io platform.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. The most frequent compliments highlighted the relaxed atmosphere and the organisers’ approach.
Participants appreciated that the event was not a stressful competition, but rather a safe space for experimentation, learning and collaboration. This turned out to be crucial in motivating people to fully engage – regardless of their previous experience.
Game Jam 2026: Bigger, Better and Open to the Whole University
Following the successful premiere and very positive feedback, preparations for the next edition are now in full swing. For 2026, the organisers promise a number of improvements. This time, they are leaving nothing to chance and are planning an event that will reach beyond the boundaries of our faculty.
What can you look forward to?
- A broader community: The event is open to enthusiasts from across Masaryk University.
- Expertise from industry: Seasoned game industry professionals will join the jury and provide teams with valuable feedback.
- Professional backing: Excellent organisation and support from business partners.
Why Join?
A Game Jam is not just about coding. It is about a shared “crunch experience” that forges friendships that can last a lifetime. For students, it is also an ideal way to enrich their portfolio with a complete, playable project created in just 48 hours – something that is practically essential when applying for jobs in the game industry.
Key Information
- Event dates: 6–8 March 2026 (at the start of the spring semester)
- Where to follow updates: All coordination, registration and news will be shared on the event’s Discord server.
- Registration: Will open at the end of January. Teams and individual participants are both welcome – no one will be left out, as teams will also be formed on site.
Keep an eye on FI MU’s social media channels and the Discord server, where we will announce final details and registration information in due time.
Come and show that at FI, games are not only studied and developed – they are truly lived.
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