The Green Game Jam flips the script on the usual game jam formula. Instead of creating a whole new game from scratch, the challenge is to take an existing game with a live audience and give it an eco-friendly twist. This could be in the form of an event, a theme, or even a feature that you can blend seamlessly into your game that helps connect your players to the natural world.
Pro-tip: connect this new green twist to something your players are already familiar with and love about your game. To make it even easier, this year’s theme is Nurture yourself with Nature, and many games already have a nature component to them. To quote a famous old man: It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this. Playing for the Planet, an initiative facilitated by the Unite Nations Environment Program, has your back with tools and guidance with facts around nature to help.
Unity has been a member of the Playing for the Planet Alliance since 2020. As part of its commitment towards a more sustainable games industry, Unity has, amongst other things, financed the insightful report on carbon emissions in the games industry titled "Untangling the carbon complexities of the video gaming industry”.
The Green Game Jam kicks off on February 19th with a digital event for everyone participating, with a number of workshops following to help get your started. All games will go live with their green new content on World Environment Day, June 5th 2025.
Find more information on how to get involved here or reach out directly to Lisa Pak via lisa.pak@un.org and sign up before January 31st.