Operationalizing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals: A Game Jam Experience

The Meaningful Game Jam 2022 serves as a pedagogical intervention designed to integrate the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into undergraduate game design curricula. By tasking 31 students with the creation of ten diverse prototypes—ranging from digital and analog to alt.ctrl formats—the initiative explores the efficacy of game jams as vehicles for fostering civic awareness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technical skill development. The study establishes a replicable model for higher education institutions seeking to align creative practice with complex global societal agendas.

Participants reported high levels of engagement and satisfaction, valuing the collaborative environment and the opportunity to apply development skills to serious, real-world issues. However, the research reveals a notable thematic imbalance in the resulting projects. While students demonstrated proficiency in addressing environmental and economic sustainability, they frequently overlooked human-centric topics such as dignity and partnership. Furthermore, a recurring challenge identified across the prototypes was a disconnect between intended educational objectives and actual gameplay mechanics, often resulting in instances of ludonarrative dissonance.

Ultimately, the findings suggest that while game jams are potent tools for moral and civic learning, their success depends heavily on structured facilitation. To bridge the gap between abstract SDG goals and meaningful game design, educators must provide more rigorous guidance to ensure that systemic themes are effectively translated into interactive mechanics. Despite criticisms regarding the mandatory nature of the event and scheduling constraints, the project confirms that integrating academic rigor with collaborative design remains a viable strategy for cultivating socially conscious game developers.