The “SummerJam 2026” event, organised by Hasan Kalyoncu University’s (HKÜ) Faculty of Communication, Department of Digital Game Design and the Digital Game Design Society in collaboration with Bilişim Vadisi DIGIAGE, was held with the participation of 16 teams and 100 game developers.
Held this year under the theme of “Flavour”, the event brought together students interested in game development, while academics, sector representatives and distinguished academics from other universities contributed as mentors. Over the course of 48 hours, the teams transformed their ideas into playable prototypes and presented their projects to the jury and mentors at the end of the event. The event also served as a preliminary selection for the DIGIAGE İzmir Camp, offering participants an important opportunity.
WE HAVE RAISED THE BAR EVERY YEAR
Speaking at the opening programme of the event, HKÜ Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan said: “As a university, we attach great importance to bringing our young people together with technology and the sector. We began this journey in 2018 as the first and only university in the Southeastern Anatolia Region to host Global Game Jam. Since then, from the global marathons in 2022 to HKÜ Game Jam 2025, where we achieved a significant success by hosting 120 young software developers last year, and our innovative Rama-Jam events, we have raised the bar one step further each year. SummerJam 2026, which we are holding this year, offers young game developers the opportunity to receive both academic and sectoral feedback as part of our collaboration with DIGIAGE. Our event is becoming a valuable platform that strengthens not only our students’ game development skills, but also their ability to solve problems, produce, work together and bring their ideas to life. I would like to thank all our academics, mentors, sector representatives, sponsors and students who contributed to this process.”
HKÜ Digital Game Design Department Chair Asst. Prof. Dr. Batu Duru said the event strengthened students’ applied learning experience, stating: “Game Jams are very special platforms where students can transform the knowledge they gain in the classroom into a concrete product in a short period of time. In this process, our students are not only developing games; they are also experiencing time management, team communication, quick decision-making and thinking skills.”
At the end of the intense 48-hour marathon, “Pickup Studio” won first prize, “Kahke Games” won second prize, and “Jam’iyet” won third prize.
