Floodlight Gaming today opened applications for its second international Investigative Journalism Game Jam, which challenges game developers to transform reporting into interactive experiences.
A new approach to storytelling, Floodlight Gaming is an initiative of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and the Gabo Foundation, in partnership with Anima Interactive and V-Ventures.
“Investigative reporters understand the world of crime and corruption weaved around us in unique and profound ways,” said Floodlight Gaming and OCCRP Co-Founder Paul Radu. “Floodlight Gaming sees a huge opportunity in working with developers to help create the next generation of investigators.”
Developers will gain exclusive access to the Floodlight Gaming Stories Catalog containing in-depth investigative reports from OCCRP’s global network and beyond. Topics include: the manipulation of a high-stakes Nigerian election; a transnational network smuggling looted Egyptian antiquities into global museums; and a Paraguayan community’s landmark legal battle against a foreign-backed crypto operation.
During the month-long jam (April 6–May 7), developers will be able to ask questions to the journalists behind these stories. This collaboration ensures that while developers enjoy full creative freedom, the resulting games remain grounded in the integrity of the original reporting.
Floodlight Gaming will announce the winner of the Investigative Journalism Game Jam live on stage June 2nd at the INDIGO festival in The Netherlands. The winning team will receive $5,000 and a place in Spielfabrique’s Launchpad program, which provides mentorship and networking opportunities. The event will also feature game highlights from the finalists as well as lively discussions between game developers and investigative journalists about storytelling and the crossover between the two industries.
The inaugural Floodlight Gaming Investigative Journalism Game Jam was successfully piloted last year. The top prize went to “Hunting the Hunter,” developed by Berlin-based Greenwave Games. The game was inspired by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ reporting on cocoa smuggling networks in Ghana and placed players in the role of a journalist uncovering a criminal ring. Floodlight Gaming is also co-developing “Dark Money,” a game by Polyvale Studios based on OCCRP’s Laundromat investigations by hundreds of investigative reporters across OCCRP’s global network.
Other Floodlight Gaming partners include the Pulitzer Center, ZAM, INDIGO, Good Game Generation, Games for Change, International Game Developers Association, and Global Game Jam.
Learn more and apply at: https://www.floodlightproject.org/floodlight-gaming/
For more information, contact: gaming@floodlightproject.org
About Floodlight: Floodlight is the bridge between hard-hitting investigative journalism and the global entertainment industry. Created by OCCRP and the Gabo Foundation, Floodlight curates riveting investigations and collaborates with filmmakers, television series creators, and game developers to ensure that the most important stories of our time reach the widest possible audience.