Games for Change

10/07/2026

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We're teaming up with Giving Tuesday to bring social impact games to more young people! It starts with our free guide, which makes it easy to host your own Impact Arcade.

Impact Arcades bring young people together around games that spark conversations about the issues impacting their communities. From there, they're empowered to see themselves as changemakers and take action on what matters to them. 🌍

You don't need to be a gamer or have a big budget. The guide walks you through it, from picking games to planning your group's next step.

Host yours on GivingTuesday, 12/1, or any time of year. Apply by 10/31 to receive a $50 gift card to help run your Impact Arcade. We can't wait to see what your group does! 💚

https://bit.ly/4yB90j5

10/02/2026

The Global Voices Challenge: Reimagining Play is now open for submissions! 🌐

Presented by Games for Change, the Challenge elevates talented creators worldwide and supports innovative games from underrepresented developers as they prepare to launch on Google Play. Three winners will each receive:

💰 $15,000 in funding
👥 Mentorship from leading mobile games experts
📣 Marketing support through Games for Change and its global network
🕹️ A showcase at the 2027 Games for Change Festival

We're looking for games built on unique stories and original content that use emerging creative technologies to shape the player experience!

Submissions close on November 13, 2026.

Review the guidelines and submit here: https://bit.ly/global-voices-26

09/16/2026

We are thrilled to announce that the Games for Change Student Challenge is back for the 2026–2027 season, and for the first time ever, we are expanding the competition to upper elementary classrooms! 🚀

Following our sneak peek at the festival, applications are now open for youth ages 8–25 to join this global game design competition. The Student Challenge empowers students to amplify their voices, showcase their creativity, and drive real-world impact by turning a passion for gaming into civic action. Along the way, students build critical, future-ready skills in coding, storytelling, and collaboration. 🎮🌍

In partnership with Sanford Harmony, our new upper elementary division pairs our G4C Learn Introduction to Game Design curriculum with relationship-centered lessons, helping classrooms collaborate on a single game that explores empathy and resilience. Older youth will dive into game design using their favorite creation tools, like Minecraft and Unity, to design original games inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Who can join?

🎮 Young creators worldwide (Ages 8–25): Submit your original social-impact game for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship and other exciting awards!
📚 Educators & program leaders: Bring the Challenge to your community with free curriculum resources, toolbox support, and direct access to G4C's community of changemakers.

🔗 Ready to create a better world through play? Register now to get started: https://bit.ly/SCApplication26-27

09/14/2026

Only 7 days left—and we are 75% of the way to our goal! 🚀🌟

Our 'Back to School' charity bundle is closing in on its fundraising target, and we need your help to cross the finish line before the campaign ends on September 20.

Every dollar raised from this itch.io bundle directly funds the Games for Change Student Challenge. Your support empowers youth (ages 8-25) to learn digital design, coding, and collaboration while building games that tackle critical real-world issues.

For just $10, you get an incredible bundle of 324 items valued at ~$671! 🎮📚Let's smash this goal together and support the next generation of impact game developers.

Grab your bundle here: https://bit.ly/4h2ZHB4

09/12/2026

Happy National Video Game Day! 🌍🎮

This year at , our core theme was all about "Reimagining Play." To celebrate today, we are sharing a special look back at some of our favorite conversations on the festival floor. We asked creators, educators, and changemakers: When you think of reimagining play, what game comes to mind?

From indie gems to innovative mechanics, their answers highlight exactly why the future of games matters so much.

Watch the full video below to hear their responses, and let us know your thoughts:

What is a game that completely reimagined play for you? Share yours in the comments! 💭👇

09/09/2026

Huge congratulations to the team at Dragon Snacks Games on the announcement of Farhaven! 🎮✨

Founded by industry veterans from Xbox, Firaxis, and Zynga, the studio is introducing a brand new genre: the "FriendMO." Farhaven gives up to 16 players a private sandbox world to build, explore, and shape together.

At Games for Change, we believe games are powerful vehicles for connection, empathy, and belonging. Farhaven beautifully exemplifies this by ensuring that progress isn't just made alongside one another, but made for one another.

We are so excited to support this milestone!

Support an indie studio building for meaningful connection:
📌 Wishlist on Steam: https://bit.ly/4xhEJo7
📌 Follow the Kickstarter: https://bit.ly/4gSoNT3

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

🌏 Brazil & India Unite: Special Edition Student Game Jam!

Games For Change América Latina and Games for Change India are joining forces for an exclusive Student Challenge Game Jam. This special edition introduces the powerful modifier theme: Territory, War, and Peace: Proximity, Value, Sovereignty.

Students can sign up individually or as a squad, with a unique opportunity to join a collaborative Brazil-India cross-cultural team!

⏳ Registration Deadline: Tonight! September 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM BRT

👥 Individual or Team registrations welcome

Don't miss your chance to design games for global impact.

Register now for the G4C Student Challenge Game Jam before the clock runs out: https://bit.ly/4r0PdGP

09/01/2026

It’s been a month since , and we are still reflecting on the incredible energy from this year's festival! 💫

For the first time, we took over The GlassHouse — fully leaning into our theme of “Reimagining Play.” By stepping into this environment, we completely reimagined how our community gathers, connects, and inspires. Over two action-packed days, 2,000+ in-person and virtual attendees from around the globe came together for this immersive experience. From packed sessions and our interactive arcade to an unforgettable Awards Show celebrating games that drive real-world change, the energy was unmatched. 🎮✨

Missed a talk or want to rewatch your favorite moment? All festival sessions are now live on our Games for Change YouTube Channel! 📺

We are forever grateful for your continued support of Games for Change. Together, we are sparking ideas and sharing knowledge to uplift both newcomers and industry veterans. Social impact and gaming are stronger because of your voices!

The momentum doesn't stop here—we can't wait to continue these conversations and connections next year at ASU in Arizona! See you for ! ☀️🌵

08/31/2026

Big news: Our 'Back to School' charity bundle has officially met its fundraising goal! 🌟

Fundraising from this itch.io bundle directly supports the Games for Change Student Challenge, where youth (ages 8 - 25) gain skills like digital design, collaboration, and coding—while creating games that tackle real-world community issues.

We've set a new stretch goal to reach even more students before the campaign closes on September 20. Right now, you can get 324 items (~$671 in value) for as little as $10!

Learn more and back the bundle today: https://itch.io/jam/games-for-scholarships