Arctic Game Global Game Jam 2026 gathered creators in Skellefteå

Taking place as part of the worldwide Global Game Jam movement, the event invited participants of all backgrounds to explore new ideas through coding, storytelling, game mechanics, and experimental design methods. Everyone was welcome, from aspiring developers and students to seasoned professionals.

This year’s theme, “Mask,” inspired a wide variety of concepts and interpretations.

– It was incredibly inspiring to see so many people join us this year. We decided to keep the jam local in Skellefteå, and still quickly reached around 45 participants, many of them first-timers. The teams’ interpretations ranged from ‘Who is behind the mask?’ to ‘Finding masks that give you special powers,’ said Erik Okfors, Site Organiser.

With the Arctic Game Incubator present locally, the jam also served as an opportunity to test early concepts that could potentially develop beyond the weekend. For some teams, the jam marked the first step toward ideas that may grow into future commercial projects.

This year’s edition was held in a more compact format, with Näringslivskontoret and Skellefteå Municipality supporting the event by providing a central venue in Skellefteå.

– We are proud to be a partner of Arctic Game Global Game Jam. Events like this strengthen the local ecosystem, spotlight new talent, and show that Skellefteå is a place where ideas can grow, in a hands-on and genuinely fun way,” said Jannike Lindberg, Business Development Manager at Näringslivskontoret.

With strong engagement from both newcomers and experienced creators, the organisers are already looking ahead to future editions of the jam, stay tuned!