The Game Jam Laut Festival was held today at SK Chung Hua No. 5, Kuching, where 64 students aged 8 to 12 had the chance to play and vote for video games that teach about ocean conservation. Organised by the French Embassy in Malaysia, in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, the event aimed to raise awareness about protecting the environment through interactive games.
The festival, which ran from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, showcased video games created during the recent SENS Arts Game Jam Laut 2024 (GJL). The students’ votes formed part of the judging process, with masterclass mentors also evaluating the games based on their quality and message.
Representing the French Embassy was Marion Tanguy, while UNIMAS was represented by Prof Dr Tan Chong Eng, AP Dr Jacey-Lynn Minoi, AP Dr Leonard Lim, and AP Dr Aazani Mujahid. Prof Dr Moritz Mueller from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak also played a significant role in the event.
The games featured were developed during the GJL Borneo Edition, hosted by the UNIMAS Gamification Centre. This 48-hour hackathon brought together 21 participants from fields such as computer science, arts, and sound engineering. Funded by the French Embassy, the event encouraged participants to design games focusing on protecting the ocean and the environment. Nine mentors and jury members from academia, industry, and NGOs helped guide and evaluate the participants. The event’s success was made possible through the efforts of Institute of Social Informatics and Technological Innovations (ISITI) team members, UNIMAS Security Division, and faculty members from Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT), Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts (FACA), and Faculty of Resources Science and Technology (FRST) at UNIMAS.
The winning team, Reefenders, represented Borneo with their game focused on ocean conservation. The team included Gan Sze Hoon from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sharon Nelson from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, and Jacob Charlie Jungkim, Aleematun Farhana Bt Haron, and Nurhana Aqasyah Bt Khaidzir from UNIMAS. Kevin Anak Stanley Baling, a talented independent participant, also played a key role in the team’s success.
The festival provided students with an opportunity to learn about environmental issues in a fun and engaging way by testing and voting on the video games. The collaboration between schools, universities, and international partners highlights how video games can inspire young minds to care for the planet. The Game Jam Laut Festival is a strong example of how creative projects can raise awareness and make a positive impact on the community.
Photos by Fitzpatrick Anak Ricky Guing for UNIMAS Corporate & Communication