UN Launches Southeast Asia Checkpoint Game Jam
The initiative invites developers to create games designed to build digital resilience against radicalization.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in eSports
Live Poll
Do you believe video games are effective tools for teaching social awareness to young people?
The United Nations has initiated the Checkpoint Game Jam 2026 for developers across Southeast Asia. The competition challenges participants to design interactive experiences that help players recognize and respond to pathways toward radicalization.
Why it matters
This initiative aims to promote critical thinking and strengthen community resilience against radicalization in increasingly complex digital environments.
Eligible participants must be at least 18 years old and international teams require 50% membership from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, or Singapore. Finalists must submit a 2-minute trailer along with their playable prototype.
The players
United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
This organization facilitates specialized research and training programs to address crime and justice issues globally.
United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism
This office provides leadership and coordination for counter-terrorism efforts across the United Nations system.
The details
Teams are tasked with creating games that address radicalization, with the top 20 groups advancing to a secondary development phase. Participants must submit their completed work before the final in-person event takes place in Tokyo.
Timeline
15-16 October 2026: Virtual design workshop for game concepts.
16 October 2026: Conclusion of the first phase of competition.
17-31 October 2026: Prototype development and testing period.
15 November 2026 - 10 January 2027: Mentorship and development phase for selected teams.
February 2027: Finalists present completed prototypes in Tokyo.
Season Trajectory
This competition represents a shift toward using interactive digital media as a standard tool for international security outreach. It signals a move by global institutions to integrate specialized software development into traditional counter-radicalization strategies.
The top 20 teams will gain direct access to professional mentorship starting in November. Successful finalists will secure an invitation to present their final prototypes during the in-person event in Tokyo early next year.
The takeaway
Developers in the region can leverage this opportunity to combine technical skills with social impact goals. Participating teams should focus on creating compelling interactive narratives that clearly demonstrate how players can identify radicalization risks.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest industry trends and competitions in eSports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Digital Watch Observatory.
Live Poll
Do you believe video games are effective tools for teaching social awareness to young people?
