The 2026 Green Games Jam Awards, an event organized by the sustainability‑focused nonprofit Playing for the Planet, took place last week at the iconic BFI Southbank venue. The ceremony celebrated game developers who have pushed the envelope in eco‑friendly production practices and who have woven environmental themes into their narratives, demonstrating how interactive media can inspire real‑world stewardship. A total of eleven distinct awards were handed out, and two studios emerged as the night’s biggest winners, each securing a pair of accolades. Northern Forge Studios was honoured with the Best Small Studio prize as well as the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Choice award for its title *Orna: The GPS RPG*.
Runaway Play, meanwhile, took home the Best Storytelling award for *Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary* and also received Google’s Choice award for *Splash – Fish Aquarium*. Beyond the studio recognitions, several individual and corporate honours were announced.
CD Projekt Red received the prestigious Changemaker award, acknowledging its commitment to integrating sustainability into its development pipeline and community outreach. Maria Sayans, the chief executive of Ustwo Games, was celebrated with the Champion accolade for her leadership in championing green initiatives across the gaming industry.
Rovio Entertainment was singled out for its fundraising achievements, with *Angry Birds Friends* and *Angry Birds Dream Blast* earning the Best Fundraising award. Lisa Pak, the head of operations at Playing for the Planet, reflected on the significance of the event: “Every year, the Green Game Jam demonstrates how games can bring environmental stories to life and inspire players to protect and restore our planet.” She added that the response from players to this year’s reef and rainforest‑focused content had been overwhelmingly positive. Pak also hinted at the future, noting that the organization is eager to keep the conversation about ecological resilience alive with millions of gamers worldwide during the eighth edition of the Green Game Jam, slated for 2027.
The awards ceremony capped off the annual Green Games Summit, a gathering that featured a slate of talks and panel discussions from industry heavyweights such as Hasbro, Supercell, Ustwo Games, Playstack, and many others. These sessions explored topics ranging from carbon‑neutral production pipelines to the role of narrative in raising awareness about climate change.
Below is a comprehensive rundown of the nominees and winners that were highlighted during the evening: - **Cards, the Universe and Everything** (Avid Games) – nominated alongside *Lords Mobile* (IGG) and *Seekers Notes* (Mytona). *Seekers Notes* took the top spot. - **Orna: The GPS RPG** (Northern Forge Studios) – contended with *Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary* (Runaway Play) and *Cards, the Universe and Everything* (Avid Games).
The award went to *Orna*. - **Hope's Adventure** (Green Leap Games) – faced off against *Sunshine Island* (New Moon Studios) and *Splash – Fish Aquarium*. *Hope's Adventure* emerged victorious.
- **Lords Mobile** (IGG) – battled *Call of Dragons* (Lilith Games) and *June's Journey* (Wooga). *Lords Mobile* secured the win. - **Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary** (Runaway Play) – competed with *Hope's Adventure* and *June's Journey*.
*Flutter* claimed the award. - **Angry Birds Friends** & **Angry Birds Dream Blast** (Rovio Entertainment) – triumphed over titles from GameDuell and *June's Journey*, earning the Best Fundraising recognition. - Individual champion award nominees: Jonas Goodwin (Runaway Play), Sophie Barteau (Ubisoft Montreal), and María Sayans (Ustwo Games). María Sayans was selected as the Champion.
- Corporate Changemaker nominees: CD Projekt Red, Massive Entertainment, and Megapop. CD Projekt Red received the Changemaker award. - Google’s Choice award contenders: *Lords Mobile*, *Orna: The GPS RPG*, and *Splash – Fish Aquarium*.
*Splash – Fish Aquarium* was the winner. - Mobile game of the year nominees: *Match Masters* (Candivore), *Hay Day* (Supercell), and *June's Journey* (Wooga).
*Hay Day* took the prize. - Final repeat category: *Orna: The GPS RPG*, *June's Journey*, and *Lords Mobile*. *Orna* again secured the top honor. The event underscored a growing trend within the gaming sector: developers are increasingly embedding ecological consciousness into both the mechanics and stories of their games.
Titles like *Orna* blend location‑based gameplay with environmental education, while *Flutter* uses delicate butterfly motifs to convey the fragility of ecosystems. Meanwhile, *Splash – Fish Aquarium* demonstrates how even casual, aquarium‑style games can be leveraged to teach players about marine biodiversity and conservation. Industry observers note that the recognition from bodies such as UNEP and major tech firms like Google signals a broader shift toward accountability and sustainability in interactive entertainment. By awarding studios that excel in these areas, the Green Games Jam not only rewards innovation but also sets a benchmark for peers.
Looking ahead, the organizers anticipate that the 2027 edition will expand its thematic focus to include climate‑resilient urban design and renewable energy narratives, inviting developers worldwide to explore new ways of making games that are both fun and environmentally responsible. The hope is that, through continued collaboration between NGOs, tech giants, and creative studios, the gaming medium will remain a powerful conduit for change, encouraging millions of players to adopt greener habits both on‑screen and in their daily lives.