Applied Games in the North 2026: Play for Sustainability

On Friday, 27 November 2026, the first edition of Applied Games in the North will take place in Groningen. Under the theme Play for Sustainability, the event offers an afternoon full of inspiration, knowledge sharing, networking, and, above all, the power of play.

Games and playful interventions are increasingly being used to make complex societal challenges more understandable and to stimulate change. During this conference, you will discover how serious games, creative technology, and interactive experiences contribute to sustainable solutions across a wide range of domains.

What can you expect?

Applied Games in the North brings together researchers, designers, students, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and other professionals interested in using games to create societal impact. This year's central theme is sustainability.

Topics featured during the conference include:

• Serious games focused on the energy transition and the challenges that come with it;
• Applications of creative technology for making heritage and history more accessible and preserving them for future generations;
• The development of serious games, from design and research to implementation;
• Ongoing research and innovation projects in which developing and playing games generates new insights, for example in the fields of sustainability, energy challenges, and textile supply chains;
• Both physical and analogue games as well as digital gaming experiences.

In addition to inspiring presentations and practical case studies, there will be plenty of opportunities to exchange experiences, explore new collaborations, and experience a variety of games firsthand.

Conference Chair and Keynote Speaker: Jetse Goris

Call for Content

Are you working on a game, research project, or initiative that aligns with the theme Play for Sustainability? We warmly invite you to present your work during the conference.

You can contribute through a project showcase or by participating in a roundtable discussion. Be sure to submit your proposal in time so it can be included in the programme. Please note that the number of available presentation slots is limited.

Registration

Participation in Applied Games in the North is free of charge.

Register and/or submit a contribution
 

Practical Information

Date: Friday, 27 November 2026
Time: 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Hanze, Zernikeplein 7, Groningen (Gerardus de San Hall)
Parking: P3, Zernikeplein 7

Organisation

Applied Games in the North is organised by the Sustainable Business line of research of Hanze, in collaboration with SAGANET.