A Year of Play, Possibility, and Progress 🎊

Introducing the 2026 Games for Change Festival: Reimagining Play

As education, entertainment, technology, and community engagement continue to evolve, play has become a powerful form of self-expression and exploration, enabling us to envision better futures and test bold ideas. Play is more than games; it's a living, evolving force that invites experimentation, collaboration, and creative exploration. That's why we're thrilled to announce that the 2026 Games for Change Festival theme is Reimagining Play.

Taking place at The Glasshouse in New York City on July 21-22, 2026, the Festival will bring together inspiring talks and panels, interactive arcades, hands-on design workshops, a cutting-edge arcade, plus the 2026 G4C Awards. This year's Festival introduces new session formats designed to foster deeper engagement and hands-on learning.

Speaker and award submissions are now open for #G4C2026 until February 2. Bring your voice, your projects, and your ideas to our global community.

_{Can’t wait to join us at the G4C Festival in 2026? Stay connected with us and follow the hashtag #G4C2026 to stay up to date with updates, speakers, games, early bird tickets, discounts, and more coming soon!}

_{Turn Winter Break Into Game Time - Host a Family Game Jam this Holiday Break}

_{Looking for a fun family activity this winter break? Try a Family Game Jam!}

_{Students ages 10–18 can design their own game at home, digital or tabletop,  using our simple, self-guided kit. In just 60–120 minutes, families can explore real-world themes like sustainability, hunger, and road safety, brainstorm ideas together, and build a quick prototype.}

_{The best part? Your finished game can be submitted to the 2025–2026 G4C Student Challenge for a chance to win $10,000.}

_{No experience with art, coding, or game design needed — just curiosity and creativity.}

_{We’d also love to see how you’re using games to connect, learn, and create together.
👉 Join in here G4C Family Game Jam 2026.pdf}
📣 _{Share your story through our Feedback Forum!}

• _{Learn about G4C Hong Kong and its chapter chair, Vince Siu, as he shares how the team is empowering youth through game design, creative learning, and community impact. Read Here}

• _{Take a look into G4C Africa’s work across the continent, co-led by Chapter Chair Glenn Gillis and Program Director Amy Duncan, and explore how the team is uplifting creators, expanding access, and building a thriving impact-games community. Read Here}

• _{Take a look at Positive Impact Games’ reflection on how joy and regenerative play can shift eco-anxiety into action — and why games can be a radical tool for hope. Learn more here}

• _{Ready to host the world’s biggest game jam? Global Game Jam site registration is now open — gather your team, register your location, and get ready to create something incredible this January. Sign Up}

• _{A new BCG report explores how platform convergence, AI, cloud gaming, and user-generated content are reshaping the future of games and opening new opportunities for creators and developers. Read more here}

_{Announcing the 2025 Global Voices Challenge Winners}

_{The Global Voices Challenge presented by Games for Change, showcased  the innovative spirit and ingenuity of underrepresented stories and developers. With submissions from 14 different countries we’re proud to announce the winners each receiving $15k in funding, mentorship from industry professionals, and marketing support to help their games reach new players on Google Play.}

_{🏆 VAMPIRE THERAPIST Little Bat Games  (Germany)}

_{🏆 WEDNESDAYS ARTE France, The Pixel Hunt and Pierre Corbinais (France)}

_{🏆 LOST TWINS 2 Playdew  (Pakistan)}

_{Congratulations to all the winners and participants! Stay tuned—we’ll showcase these winning games at #G4C2026!} 🎉✨