Submissions open from 2026-11-13 15:00:00 to 2026-11-15 15:00:00
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Welcome to Games Now! Jam #18 – Autumn 2026!

Games keep changing. We keep up together.

Organised by Aalto University, Games Now! is an open learning community and a multicultural network of game schools. We monitor and explore game trends across design and research, art and technology. Our events, including game jams, are open to everyone, everywhere!

GN! Jam #18 runs from 13–15 November in a hybrid format. This edition continues our series of multicultural jams, bringing jammers from around the world together to make games across time zones with the GN! School Network.

Everyone is welcome. You do not need to be enrolled in a school or have prior game-making skills to join.


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Register for GN! Jam #18: https://forms.gle/zZhH8Q4mVZSwBMBh7

Join our GN! Discord server: https://discord.gg/YsgagHX

Discord is our main channel for updates and coordination. Please stay active there throughout the jam.

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🗓️ Key Dates & Deadlines

  • Matchmaking registration deadline: Monday, 2 November 2026 (AoE)
  • Matchmaking team announcement & pre-meetup: Monday, 9 November 2026 (on Discord)
  • Theme reveal & jam kick-off: Friday, 13 November 2026 at 17:00 EET (Finnish time)
  • Team and project confirmation deadline: Friday, 13 November 2026 (AoE)
  • Game submission deadline: Sunday, 15 November 2026 at 17:00 EET (Finnish time)


🤝 Matchmaking Team 

Want to join a cross-cultural, multi-time-zone team? Register for matchmaking by 2 November 2026 using the form above, then check Discord for your team announcement and pre-meetup on 9 November.

You can also join with a pre-made team or jam solo. The sign-up deadline for pre-made teams and solo jammers is 13 November 2026 (AoE).


🎭 Diverse Roles Welcome!

Game jams need many kinds of skills. Alongside designers, programmers and artists, teams can benefit from producers, writers, sound designers, musicians and more. A producer can help keep a multi-time-zone project on track.


🚀 Keynote & Theme Reveal

GN! Jam is part of GN! Event Week 2026. Check the tickets and programme.

Join the live stream for the theme reveal on Friday, 13 November at 17:00 EET (Finnish time).

Convert the kick-off time to your local time zone so you don’t miss the theme announcement.


🛠️ Jam Requirements & Guidelines

  • Any technology is welcome, including digital games and analogue creations such as board games, card games and TTRPGs.
  • Clearly list all tools, software, engines, third-party assets and other resources used.
  • The game jam version must remain free to play and available to the public.


🎨GN! Exhibition 2027

Selected projects may be showcased at GN! Exhibition 2027 at Kumma Gallery  in Helsinki in May 2027. In December, semifinalists will receive feedback on their games from industry experts to help them develop their projects further. To be considered for the exhibition:

  • Submit your game to the GN! Jam #18 itch.io page before the deadline.
  • Include an embedded gameplay video on your itch.io page.
  • Extra consideration goes to teams collaborating across time zones or language barriers.
  • Priority goes to teams with at least one student from the GN! School Network (https://gamesnow.aalto.fi/schools/).