The 2026 Green Games Jam Awards, an event organized by the sustainability‑focused initiative Playing for the Planet, took place last week at the iconic BFI Southbank venue. The ceremony celebrated game developers who have pushed the boundaries of eco‑friendly production practices and who have woven environmental themes into their narratives, demonstrating how interactive entertainment can serve as a powerful vehicle for ecological awareness.
A total of eleven distinct honors were handed out, and two studios stood out by each securing a pair of awards. Northern Forge Studios was recognized with the Best Small Studio accolade as well as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Choice award for its title *Orna: The GPS RPG*. Meanwhile, Runaway Play earned the Best Storytelling prize for *Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary* and was also selected for Google’s Choice award for the aquatic simulation *Splash – Fish Aquarium*.
In addition to the studio‑specific categories, several individual and corporate recognitions were announced. CD Projekt Red received the prestigious Changemaker award, acknowledging its leadership in integrating sustainability into its development pipeline and community outreach. Ustwo Games’ chief executive Maria Sayans was celebrated with the Champion accolade, highlighting her personal commitment to green gaming practices and her role in championing industry‑wide environmental initiatives. Rovio Entertainment was highlighted for its fundraising efforts, winning the Best Fundraising award thanks to the continued popularity and charitable contributions generated by *Angry Birds Friends* and *Angry Birds Dream Blast*.
Lisa Pak, the head of operations at Playing for the Planet, remarked, “Each year the Green Game Jam proves that video games can bring environmental stories to life, inspiring players worldwide to protect and restore our planet.” She added that the response to the 2026 edition’s reef and rainforest themes had been overwhelmingly positive, and that the organization looks forward to expanding the dialogue on ecological resilience with millions of gamers during the upcoming eighth edition slated for 2027. The awards ceremony capped off this year’s Green Games Summit, a multi‑day gathering that featured a slate of talks and panel discussions from leading industry players such as Hasbro, Supercell, Ustwo Games, Playstack and others.
These sessions explored topics ranging from carbon‑neutral production pipelines to the use of procedural generation for simulating realistic ecosystems. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the nominees and winners that were highlighted during the event: - **Cards, the Universe and Everything** (Avid Games) – *Nominee* - **Lords Mobile** (IGG) – *Nominee* - **Seekers Notes** (Mytona) – *Winner* - **Cards, the Universe and Everything** (Avid Games) – *Nominee* - **Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary** (Runaway Play) – *Nominee* - **Orna: The GPS RPG** (Northern Forge Studios) – *Winner* - **Hope's Adventure** (Green Leap Games) – *Winner* - **Sunshine Island** (New Moon Studios) – *Nominee* - **Splash – Fish Aquarium** – *Nominee* - **Lords Mobile** (IGG) – *Winner* - **Call of Dragons** (Lilith Games) – *Nominee* - **June's Journey** (Wooga) – *Nominee* - **Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary** (Runaway Play) – *Winner* - **Hope's Adventure** (Green Leap Games) – *Nominee* - **June's Journey** (Wooga) – *Nominee* - **June's Journey** (Wooga) – *Nominee* - **Canasta Fun & Friends, Rummy Fun, Skat Treff & Tarot Classique** (GameDuell) – *Nominee* - **Angry Birds Friends & Angry Birds Dream Blast** (Rovio Entertainment) – *Winner* - **Jonas Goodwin** (Runaway Play) – *Nominee* - **Sophie Barteau** (Ubisoft Montreal) – *Nominee* - **María Sayans** (Ustwo Games) – *Winner* - **CD Projekt Red** – *Winner* - **Massive Entertainment** – *Nominee* - **Megapop** – *Nominee* - **Lords Mobile** (IGG) – *Nominee* - **Orna: The GPS RPG** (Northern Forge Studios) – *Nominee* - **Splash – Fish Aquarium** (Runaway Play) – *Winner* - **Match Masters** (Candivore) – *Nominee* - **Hay Day** (Supercell) – *Winner* - **June's Journey** (Wooga) – *Nominee* - **Orna: The GPS RPG** (Northern Forge Studios) – *Winner* - **June's Journey** (Wooga) – *Nominee* - **Lords Mobile** (IGG) – *Nominee* The event not only highlighted individual achievements but also underscored a broader industry shift toward responsible development.
Many of the winning titles incorporated innovative mechanics that educate players about biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and sustainable resource management. For instance, *Orna: The GPS RPG* blends location‑based gameplay with real‑world environmental data, encouraging players to explore natural spaces while learning about local ecosystems. *Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary* offers a gentle, visually rich experience that mirrors the delicate life cycle of butterflies, prompting reflection on habitat loss and conservation.
Looking ahead, Playing for the Planet has announced that the 2027 Green Game Jam will expand its focus to include climate‑resilient urban design and marine preservation, aiming to engage developers from a wider array of disciplines. The organization hopes that the momentum generated in 2026 will continue to inspire both creators and audiences to view gaming as a platform for positive environmental impact.