Magic Bean Ganes, a board game development and education specialist, 

announced 6th that they successfully concluded the game jam held as part of the 2023 Global Game Jam spot ‘2023 GGJ x Jeonju, 

which took place form the 3rd to the 5th.

The Global Jam is an international game development network event that takes place simultaneously worldwide, 

mostly operated as digital game spots. However, “{2023 GGJ x Jeonju was co-hosted by Jeonju University, 

a leading institution in fostering game talent, and Magic Bean Games, 

a specialist in board game development and education. 

The event took place in Seoul’s Songpa-gu Jamsil area, focusing on analog platforms such as board games. 

This event was particularly meaningful, as it marked a return to normalcy after three years, allowing participants to unmask and see each other’s faces.”

This game jam took place after the lifting of the mask mandate dur to COVID-19 prevention measures (January 30th). 

With most participants unmasking and being able to see their teammate’s faces, 

it felt like a symbolic moment of returning to normalcy after 3 years. 

On this day of the 2023 GGJ, 

 Jammers participated in the Marking Boardgame spot in Jeonju, 

introducing 4 board games including ‘Generous Stealing Tree’, ‘ORIGIN’, ‘Oops, That’s Mine’, and ‘Let’s Break Up’. 

The jammers reported experiencing the charm of analog games through the game camp, 

designing themes, components, and mechanisms in line with the theme ‘ROOTS’ and expressing their interest. 

Moreover, they expressed their intention to participate next year, 

hoping that board game spots would continue annually starting from this global game jam, 

as board spots have not been well established in domestic game jams.

Professor Hyupseob Yoo of the Game Content Department at Jeonju University, 

who opened the global game jam spot, stated, ‘While there is much global interest in global game jams, 

it is not yet active in Korea. Although game department students are developing digital games, 

games are inspired by the logic of board games. 

Therefore, it is essential to provide students developing digital games with opportunities to create board games.’

Furthermore, he added, starting with this event, Jeonju University plans to operate a global game jam annually.

Eunjung Lee, CEO of Magic Bean Games, who organized the global game jam spot, revealed, 

‘The event was abruptly canceled two weeks before the global jam, 

and the actual recruitment period was only 5 days. 

Due to the short preparation period, we feared there would be no applicants. 

Contrary to our concerns, many people participated, and we are grateful to the jammers once again.

She continued, ‘Although the domestic board game market is steadily growing, 

there are still many challenges to overcome to establish itself as a game and culture. 

This global game jam is a significant event for me, and I will strive to open and expand board game spots annually.

Source: This is game (www.thisisgame.com)