In a vibrant celebration of creativity, talent, and regional unity, AirAsia recently concluded the third edition of RedGames Jam — a 48-hour game development marathon that is part of the airline’s ongoing Dream It initiative under its The Colour of Connection campaign.
And once again, it proved to be a life-changing experience for many budding game creators.
The 2025 RedGames Jam saw 36 teams racing against time to create a playable game in just two days, held from 11–13 July at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) in Bukit Jalil.
The game jam’s theme revolved around hypercasual progression-style gameplay and featured AirAsia’s original characters — the AirAsia Buds. The event forms part of the Dream It series, which aims to give rising creators in Southeast Asia access to real industry opportunities and global platforms.
From Local Challenge to Global Opportunity
Team Glep, comprising Lee Chong Wei, Shawna Lim Jie Yi, Chuan Wei Yin and Kenny Yeow Kai Jie, rose above the rest with their whimsical game titled Tappy’s Time Off.
The game features Tappy the Tapir — an adorable office worker trying to sneak off on vacation without being caught by his strict boss. It’s quirky, fun, and cleverly infused with humour and Malaysian office culture.
Their efforts earned them the grand prize: an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2025 Tokyo Game Show — one of the world’s biggest gaming expos. Notably, this was not Team Glep’s first time competing.
Having participated in last year’s jam, their comeback this year underscores the perseverance and growth that AirAsia is hoping to cultivate through such programs.
Beyond the Prize: Empowerment through Experience
AirAsia’s Dream It isn’t just about winning. It’s about opening doors. Winners and top contenders will also showcase their games at Level Up KL, a premier Southeast Asian Game Developers Conference organised by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
For runner-up Team LOGIC – Greybox from Indonesia’s Binus University, the reward includes AirAsia merchandise, return flights to Bangkok, and tickets to gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show.
The initiative’s success was echoed by Izal Azlee, Head of IP Development at AirAsia brand co., who said, “This year marks our biggest RedGames Jam yet.
With global names like SEGA involved, and passionate students from institutions like APU, this is what Dream It is all about — nurturing real talent and offering real opportunities.”
A Platform for Growth and Mentorship
The game jam wasn’t just a competition. It served as a mentorship platform for young developers, who had their work evaluated by industry veterans from studios like Larian Studios, SEGA, Passion Republic, CtrID Studio, and Albrite Studios.
The experience offered not only exposure but also direct feedback, laying a solid foundation for future careers.
Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Tan Chin Ike, Head of School at APU, summed it up: “Great games start with great talent. AirAsia’s platform allows our students and many others to level up through hands-on creation, mentorship, and community.”
Creating More than Just Games — Building a Connected Future
AirAsia’s Dream It brand experience forms part of its The Colour of Connection (TCOC) campaign — a broader brand effort to link people through shared interests, whether it’s travel, tech, or creativity.
By tapping into the gaming community — a rapidly growing industry in Southeast Asia — AirAsia is connecting youth with dreams they may not have thought were possible.
As a further step in this direction, Tappy’s Time Off may soon be playable directly within the AirAsia MOVE app under the ‘RedGames’ tile — a move that signifies AirAsia’s commitment to embedding regional creativity into its tech ecosystem.
For team lead Kenny Yeow, the RedGames Jam is more than an event — it’s a yearly highlight. “The opportunities presented by AirAsia have been game-changing for us. I hope more young developers take part in the next one,” he shared.
The 2025 edition of RedGames Jam may have ended, but its impact will be long-lasting. With over three years of fostering local creative talent, AirAsia continues to be a major force in democratizing opportunity — not just in travel, but now, in game development and digital innovation.
Keywords:
- AirAsia RedGames Jam 2025
- Dream It Vol. 2
- Tokyo Game Show trip winners
- game development Malaysia
- APU game jam
- AirAsia Buds game
- AirAsia Dream It experience
- Southeast Asia game developers
- Malaysian game creators
- hypercasual game jam
