Join Us for the “build together” game jam
ATLANTA, GA — February 13, 2026 — Ghost Gaming yesterday announced “Build Together: Gaming, Storytelling & Belonging,” a three-day, multi-location event taking place Friday, February 20 through Sunday, February 22, 2026, designed to bring students together across communities through storytelling and game creation, building both connection and technical skills.
Presented by Ghost Gaming and Ghost Launchpad in partnership with Shine A Light Gaming and Georgia Humanities, the event will feature a panel discussion, hands-on game development workshops, and a 48-hour Game Jam centered on the theme Build Together. Programming will take place across Georgia State University and at Spelman College in partnership with Spelman’s HBCU Game Jam.
Supporting partners for the event include the National Black Empowerment Council, Technorganic, and the Georgia Game Developers Association.
“Gaming is one of the most powerful storytelling platforms in the world, and when it’s inclusive, it becomes a place where people don’t just play together — they belong together,” said Todd Harris, CEO of Ghost Gaming. “Build Together is about bringing communities into the creative process, blending technology with the humanities, and showing the next generation of creators that their voices matter. When we build together, we create stronger games, stronger stories, and stronger communities.”
“Shine A Light Gaming was founded to confront antisemitism in gaming spaces. Build Together puts that mission into action by giving students the chance to create together, learn together, and build the kind of communities we want to see online,” said Michal Nodel, Senior Advisor at Shine A Light Gaming.
"This year, we're focused on creating more opportunities for meaningful, in-person connection and civic participation, especially among young adults," said Georgia Humanities president Mary Wearn. "Build Together reflects those goals by offering an open, welcoming space for anyone interested in learning, creating, and collaborating through storytelling in games. When young people come together in shared creative environments, they build the communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that matter in every field and every community. As an added benefit, they gain valuable technical experience that supports their future careers and contributes to Georgia's growing creative economy. Georgia Humanities is proud to support a program that places storytelling at the center of connection.”
The event’s objectives focus on:
Highlighting the power of gaming to harness diversity and foster belonging
Providing skill and workforce development opportunities at partner universities by blending the humanities, arts, and technology
Amplifying positive social impact through collaborative creation and storytelling
At the heart of the weekend is a 48-hour Game Jam, encouraging participants to create original games that reflect inclusive themes, innovative storytelling, and meaningful social impact. A $12,000 total prize pool will be awarded across multiple categories:
Best “Build Together” Social Impact Theme — $4,000 total
Presented by Shine-A-Light GamingBest Storytelling — $4,000 total
Presented by Georgia HumanitiesBest Online Multiplayer Experience — $4,000 total
Presented by Shine-A-Light Gaming
Each category will award $2,000 in prizing at each of the two host sites.
Ghost Gaming encourages use of Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) for accessibility, rapid collaboration, and toward project opportunities within their Atlanta-based Ghost Launchpad game accelerator, but participants may use any game engine.
A hands-on skill-development Unreal Editor For Fortnite workshop will be provided on-site by Technorganic.
Registration is now OPEN:
Georgia State University CMII: Open to anyone age 18+
Spelman College HBCU Game Jam: Open to any student enrolled at HBCU
About Ghost Gaming
Ghost Gaming is a global gaming and esports organization focused on community, content and competition. Based in Atlanta, Ghost Gaming works at the intersection of gaming, culture, and social impact, creating opportunities for players, creators, and fans to Belong and Thrive.
About Georgia Humanities
Georgia Humanities connects people and communities to encourage understanding and inspire hope. Through grantmaking and public programs, Georgia Humanities engages people of all ages and backgrounds to explore what shapes us as individuals and binds us together as Georgians.
About National Black Empowerment Council
NBEC’s mission is to empower leaders to work together strategically to close the systemic wealth, influence, and achievement gaps between the Black community and more structurally advanced groups.
About Technorganic
Technorganic cultivates immersive game experiences by blending cutting-edge technology with creative storytelling. Our team offers expert consulting services to help you bring your vision to life—from ideation to final execution.
About Georgia Game Developers Association
The Georgia Game Developers Association works to elevate the video and electronic game industry of Georgia to a position of international recognition as a leading contributor of industry growth and maturity.
