The “HKU Game Jam 2025” event, organised by the Department of Digital Game Design of the Faculty of Communication at Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) in collaboration with the HKU Digital Game Design Club, the HKU IEEE Club and the HSD Club, took place with the participation of 21 teams and 120 game developers.
The event, held this year under the theme “Telafi” (Compensation), began on Friday with a panel exclusively for the participants. The non-stop 48-hour event, held at the HKU Law Amphitheatre, concluded with an award ceremony attended by HKU Dean of Students Asst. Prof. Dr. Özgür Osman Demir, HKU Head of the Department of Digital Game Design Asst. Prof. Dr. Batu Duru, Gaziantep OSB Technopark General Manager İpek Yardım, jury members and game developers.
We Are Determined to Lead in Software, Technology and Innovation
Speaking about the event, HKU Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan said: “As Hasan Kalyoncu University, we are determined to lead in software development, technology and innovation. HKU Game Jam 2025 was not merely a game development event; it was also an experience that nurtured team spirit, patience and productivity. Under the ‘Telafi’ theme, our students did not simply create games; they also succeeded in thinking together, producing solutions and shaping the future. I thank all the students, academics, jury members, mentors and all the stakeholders who contributed and supported us in this process.”
This Experience Develops Our Students’ Competencies
Noting that game jam events offer highly valuable experiences for students, HKU Head of the Department of Digital Game Design Asst. Prof. Dr. Batu Duru said, “HKU Game Jam is a very important opportunity for our students to develop their technical skills, teamwork competencies and creative problem-solving skills. Through events like this, our students both enjoy the pleasure of creating and have the chance to experience the professional processes of the game industry.”
At the end of the intensive 48-hour marathon, the teams “Pickup Studio”, “Entity” and “Yasin Öztürk” won first, second and third place respectively. Honourable mentions went to the teams “İdea Core Craft” and “Tanhu”.
