Umeå game conference 2026

Last week of January, the Creative Crowd team had an inspiring time at the Game Conference in Umeå, where creativity, innovation and bold ideas were in full play. From thought-provoking talks to hands-on networking, the event brought together developers, storytellers and game professionals from across the Nordics and beyond - and reminded all of us why the game industry remains one of the most dynamic creative sectors today.

This year’s conference spotlighted emerging trends that are reshaping play and engagement: community-driven design, sustainable tech practices, new narratives in immersive worlds, and the growing potential of cross-border partnerships. It was energizing to hear from visionary speakers and to share ideas with so many passionate creators pushing the boundaries of what games can be.

✨ One of the real highlights for us was connecting with our partners from Xbordersupport4games, part of the Interreg Aurora programme. Collaborating across regions gives us a powerful edge - broadening perspectives, sharing insights and building supportive ecosystems that help independent studios thrive. These conversations reaffirmed how vital collaboration is for nurturing innovation and opening doors for creative talent everywhere.

Thanks to everyone who made this event memorable - from the organizers at ugconf.se to all the new friends and collaborators we met along the way. We’re heading home full of ideas, more motivated than ever to build, connect and co-create.

Stay tuned - big things are ahead!
The Creative Crowd Team 🚀