Nairobi Jaffery Academy emerged the champion in the 3rd series of the Crawford International School student Game Jam, as Oshwal Academy came in second and Brookhurst School secured the third place.
The three day competition attracted over 100 students from eleven schools, mainly from Nairobi.
The learners aged between 12 and 18 years developed games from scratch and presented them for assessment.
The judging criteria were based on four key elements, which included programming, graphics, sound, and gameplay.
Further, teams were assessed on their ability to innovate, maintain high-quality standards, and submit complete projects.
The first team won Sh100, 000, while the first runners-up team bagged Sh60, 000, and the second runners-up team received Sh30, 000.
The event aims at inspiring Kenyan students talented in gaming to develop their own games and compete with other schools.
Additionally, the contest creates an avenue for learners to develop networks and bonds that will sharpen their skills in coding, graphics, language, and the arts.
โOur goal was to create an engaging and fun environment for students to connect, utilise their skills and talents, and learn from the experts,โ said Ezekiel Muriithi, the Head of Marketing and Communications at Crawford International School.
โWe were thrilled to see such a passionate turnout and to witness the incredible talent among our schools,โ he expressed.
Muriithi observed that this Game Jam is the perfect platform for young people to enter the world of programming and design, which is both competitive and challenging.
He noted that the participants gain experience working under pressure in a game development environment, providing them with an advantage as they advance into various fields.
Apart from entertainment and social networking, e-gaming is becoming a powerful tool in modern education, fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment because when learning is fun, it becomes more enjoyable.
Educational games can enhance cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and spatial reasoning, and can be adapted to different learning styles and paces, allowing personalised learning experiences.
