Echoes: A Game Jam

Echo Game Jam Vertical main © Goethe-Institut

What can be pulled from our archives and historic art and objects? How can we participate in the plays of history? Join us for Echoes – a game jam impacting the past, present and future!

The Echoes Game Jam invites artists, game designers, writers, historians, and technologists to explore archives as dynamic, interactive spaces. Over a month, participants will create playable experience prototypes — video games, tabletop games, interactive fiction, or experimental storytelling — that bring historical materials to life.

Why Join?

Access to exclusive archival materials from The National Museum Lagos.
Collaborate with curators, historians, and game developers.
Experiment with interactive storytelling in a museum context.
Potential for implementation of the project in a reputable institution.
Cash prize to be awarded to 5 leading games.

Themes & Challenges

Participants will respond to prompts that explore:

Memory How do we preserve and reimagine the past?
Playable Archives What stories do museum collections hold?
Loops & Layers How do historical events repeat or transform?
Future Ruins What will our present look like as an archive of the future?

Who Can Apply?

We welcome game developers, artists, writers, museum professionals, coders, musicians, and anyone interested in experimenting with archives and play. No prior game-making experience is required—just curiosity and creativity!

Women* are highly encouraged to apply!

You can apply as a team or an individual willing to join a team.

Key Dates

Open Call Deadline Feburary 23rd, 2025
Game Jam Dates March 3rd - 15th, 2025
Announcement of Winners: March 26th - 31st, 2025
Location Hybrid - Lagos & Online

Submissions are open from individuals from Ghana, Cameron, Ethopia, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania.
Teams created during the Game Jam must have a member residing in Lagos to partcipate.

Apply via The Submission Link by 23rd Feburary, 2025.

For questions, contact people@africacomicade.org