Games Now! is an open learning community exploring dominant topics and emerging trends in the gaming industry. We dig deep into what’s current in the game scene—and what’s coming next!

We offer talks, workshops, exhibitions, game jams, and diverse learning opportunities accessible to anyone worldwide through our hybrid format (online & on-site). Our topic schedule is curated alongside Finnish game industry veterans and leading studios. Every session features industry leaders, seasoned researchers, and inspiring innovators sharing actionable insights and advice.

Hosted by Aalto University in Finland, Games Now! is completely open to the global gaming community—no university enrollment required. If you are pursuing a formal degree, several universities and game schools integrate GN! directly into their curricula. Check the GN! School Network for details.

Anyone across the globe is welcome to join. Our flagship program, GN! Event Week, takes place once per year in November. While hosted live at the Aalto University campus in Finland, most of the program is live-streamed for global audiences. The GN! Jam, held as part of Event Week, is also fully accessible online via Discord and Itch.io. You can browse recordings of previous lectures on our Twitch and YouTube channels.

Note: Our content and community are primarily designed for adults (18+) interested in game development, industry trends, and game making as a career choice.

Games Now! offers talks, game jams, and a variety of game-related learning resources accessible to anyone worldwide online. If you attend GN! Event Week in person at the Aalto University campus, you’ll unlock exclusive on-site perks—including direct discussion and networking with speakers, hands-on workshops, exhibitions, and side events designed for an even more engaging learning experience.

A game jam is similar to hackathons, but for games. It’s an event where participants create games within a set timeframe, ranging from a single day to several weeks. GN! Jam is an annual hybrid event that serves as a global learning stage for creators of all levels, offering team matchmaking opportunities.

You can sign-up to GN! Jam as matchmaking team. Here, our organiser will group you with fellow jammers from around the world to form a multi-time-zone team. It’s a unique chance to gain hands-on experience in international remote collaboration, a skill essential in today’s modern game development scene. You are also welcome to join with a pre-made team or participate solo. Check our program page for details on how to register!