Northern Forge Studios and Runaway Play take the lead at the Green Games Jam Awards 2026

At BFI Southbank last week, the 2026 Green Games Jam Awards, overseen by Playing for the Planet, were announced. This event celebrated game developers who have excelled in creating environmentally-themed narratives and sustainable gameplay.

Out of eleven awards, Northern Forge Studios and Runaway Play both took home two honors each. Northern Forge was awarded Best Small Studio alongside UNEP's Choice for their game Orna: The GPS RPG, while Runaway Play clinched Best Storytelling for Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary and Google's Choice for Splash – Fish Aquarium.

CD Projekt Red secured the Changemaker award, and María Sayans of Ustwo Games was honored as the Champion. Rovio Entertainment earned recognition for Best Fundraising with their games Angry Birds Friends and Angry Birds Dream Blast.

"The Green Game Jam annually demonstrates the power of games to narrate environmental stories and motivate players towards ecological conservation," said Lisa Pak, head of operations at Playing for the Planet.

According to Pak, the latest reef and rainforest themes received an enthusiastic reception from players, and there is anticipation for the dialogue on resilience to continue with the global gaming community during the upcoming 8th Green Game Jam in 2027.

This year's Playing for the Planet Awards were part of the Green Games Summit, which included discussions and panels from notable entities like Hasbro, Supercell, Ustwo Games, and Playstack.

Here are the nominees and winners from this year's awards:

Best Newcomer

• Cards, the Universe and Everything by Avid Games
• Lords Mobile by IGG
• Seekers Notes by Mytona

Winner: Seekers Notes by Mytona

Best Small Studio

• Cards, the Universe and Everything by Avid Games
• Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary by Runaway Play
• Orna: The GPS RPG by Northern Forge Studios

Winner: Orna: The GPS RPG by Northern Forge Studios

Best in Reefs

• Hope's Adventure by Green Leap Games
• Sunshine Island by New Moon Studios
• Splash – Fish Aquarium

Winner: Hope's Adventure by Green Leap Games

Best in Rainforests

• Lords Mobile by IGG
• Call of Dragons by Lilith Games
• June's Journey by Wooga

Winner: Lords Mobile by IGG

Best Storytelling

• Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary by Runaway Play
• Hope's Adventure by Green Leap Games
• June's Journey by Wooga

Winner: Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary by Runaway Play

Best Fundraising

• June's Journey by Wooga
• Canasta Fun & Friends, Rummy Fun, Skat Treff & Tarot Classique by GameDuell
• Angry Birds Friends & Angry Birds Dream Blast by Rovio Entertainment

Winner: Angry Birds Friends & Angry Birds Dream Blast by Rovio Entertainment

Champion

• Jonas Goodwin, Runaway Play
• Sophie Barteau, Ubisoft Montreal
• María Sayans, ustwo games

Winner: María Sayans, ustwo games

Changemaker

• CD Projekt Red
• Massive Entertainment
• Megapop

Winner: CD Projekt Red

Google's Choice

• Lords Mobile by IGG
• Orna: The GPS RPG by Northern Forge Studios
• Splash – Fish Aquarium by Runaway Play

Winner: Splash – Fish Aquarium by Runaway Play

Player's Choice

• Match Masters by Candivore
• Hay Day by Supercell
• June's Journey by Wooga

Winner: Hay Day by Supercell

UNEP's Choice

• Orna: The GPS RPG by Northern Forge Studios
• June's Journey by Wooga
• Lords Mobile by IGG

Winner: Orna: The GPS RPG by Northern Forge Studios