Zohran Mamdani Launches NYC Youth Video Game Design Competition

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani is launching a youth video game design competition this weekend in the headquarter city of “Grand Theft Auto 6” developer Rockstar Games, just days before the game’s release on November 19.

The NYC Game Jam runs for two days starting Saturday, tasking young participants with building family-friendly games around the transit-focused theme “Get There Already.” The event is sponsored by the Office of the Mayor, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

Entries must focus on getting around a city, remaining entirely free of violence, weapons, and illicit activity. An industry judging panel will select three finalists, with Mamdani announcing the winners on social media in days after the competition. Prizes include $3,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $500 for third place, shared among team members.

Beyond the competition, organizers arranged a career fair connecting young developers with hiring gaming studios. These companies will showcase their projects, discuss open roles, and provide mentorship.

Zohran Mamdani Launches NYC Youth Video Game Design Competition

MOME data shows that New York City’s gaming sector supports approximately 7,900 jobs across roughly 380 firms, generating an annual economic impact of $2.6 billion. While major companies like Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two Interactive anchor the region, about 65 percent of local firms operate as small or independent studios.

City officials view the jam as the latest step in supporting local industry growth. MOME previously backed a bachelor’s degree program in digital game design at CCNY, launched the Gaming Pathways Program for high school students, and established the Digital Games Industry Council. Meanwhile, the NYCEDC runs the Game Design Future Lab alongside NYU Tandon.

“Whether you’re exploring the forests of Hyrule or riding across the frontier at Nuevo Paraíso, video games invite us into worlds born from the imagination of their designers. And that creativity represents an enormous opportunity here in New York City,” Mamdani said.

“As the industry grows, we want to make sure the next generation of game developers and designers can build their futures right here at home,” Mamdani added, noting the competition opens doors for young residents to turn ideas into careers.

“Right now, New York City is having an undeniable moment as a global hub for digital games, with hundreds of independent studios and major industry leaders calling the five boroughs home,” Rafael Espinal, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, said.

Espinal said that the event bridges passion and profession by giving youth hands-on experience and direct access to employers within the city’s $2.6 billion gaming ecosystem.

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