adminThe Games for Change London Summit was announced as a new addition to the London Games Festival 2026 programme. The inaugural event was scheduled for April 15, 2026, bringing together people from games, education, policy and innovation to consider how games can support positive social change.
Image credit: Games for Change/London Games Festival
Games for Change London Summit: date and venue
New York-based nonprofit organisation Games for Change planned the summit in partnership with the London Games Festival. The event was announced for the Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge in central London.
Video Games Industry Memo editor George Osborn curated the summit. Its stated focus was the role games can play in addressing social issues and encouraging positive change. The event description identified industry professionals, educators, policymakers and innovators as its intended community.
For anyone reviewing the announcement now, the published date is useful context: the summit was scheduled for April 15, 2026, while the wider festival was set to run from April 13 to April 19. Check the organisers’ latest updates for any post-event information or follow-up materials.
Advisory board and programme planning
The summit agenda was developed with support from a Games for Change London advisory board. Its listed members brought experience from games, creative production and related fields:
- Jude Ower, chief strategy officer at Planet Play
- James Delaney, founder and managing director of BlockWorks
- Sarah Ticho, director at Hatsumi and joint managing director of the XR Health Alliance
- Phil Stuart, founder and executive creative director at Preloaded
- Deborah Mensah-Bonsu, social impact at Supercell
The organisers said speaker submissions were open at the time of the announcement, with a closing date of February 26, 2026. As that deadline has passed, this date should be treated as historical rather than as an active call for proposals.
Why the partnership matters
London Games Festival director and head of Games London Michael French described the partnership as a significant step for the festival and connected it to the UK’s strengths in creativity, innovation and game development. Games for Change president Susanna Pollack said the London event would connect the organisation’s international community with talent and ideas from London, the wider UK and Europe.
More broadly, a gathering focused on games and social impact can create space for different sectors to exchange ideas. Educators and policymakers may bring perspectives on learning and public needs, while game developers can contribute knowledge of interactive design. The announcement did not specify individual sessions, so readers should avoid assuming particular speakers or topics beyond the stated focus.
What to know about the Games for Change London Summit
The Games for Change London Summit was announced as the organisation’s first UK edition, in partnership with the London Games Festival. Its planned date was April 15, 2026, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge, with the festival scheduled for April 13–19. These details offer a clear overview of the announced event while keeping its dates and submission deadline in their proper historical context.
