The Malta Unity Game Jam is currently in full swing at MCAST, where around 50 students have taken on an intensive 72-hour challenge to build a functional game from scratch. Hosted by Unity and GamingMalta, the event brings together participants from several local educational institutions to work under a singular brief. This year, the theme “Chain-Reaction” dictates the design process, tasking teams with moving from initial concepts to a final playable build using the Unity engine within a three-day window.
The Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri, visited the site yesterday to see how the projects were coming along. Rather than just doing a standard walkthrough, the Minister got properly involved by sitting down with students at their workstations. In a more relaxed moment, he actually tried his hand at a bit of coding, with the students talked him through the logic behind their work. It was a direct way to engage with the technical side of the project and see the actual grit required to build these games in such a short timeframe.
The jam is structured to provide more than just a competitive space. Industry professionals and technical experts from Unity are on-site throughout the event, offering mentorship as teams navigate the transition from paper sketches to active development. By using professional-grade tools and facing the pressures of a live “dev” environment, students are gaining experience that aligns with the broader goals of Malta Vision 2050.
As the event enters its final stages, the focus has shifted from brainstorming to the technical execution of the “Chain-Reaction” mechanics. The teams are currently working through their builds, iron out bugs and refining gameplay to meet the 72-hour deadline. This collaboration between students and seasoned pros ensures that these projects are more than just an exercise, serving as a practical look at the talent currently emerging on the island.
