Games for Change (G4C), the nonprofit dedicated to harnessing games and immersive media for social impact, unveiled its award winners.
The 2025 Games for Change Awards received 800 submissions across 55 countries, and the winners were just announced during the live G4C Awards Ceremony as part of the 2025 Games for Change Festival in New York.
The ceremony was hosted by Kahlief Adams, creator and host of the Spawn on Me podcast, and streamed live to a global audience on Twitch.
“These award winners represent a breakthrough moment for impact gaming, showcasing the extraordinary breadth of human experiences that games can address—from mental health and accessibility to environmental action and personal resilience,” said G4C President Susanna Pollack, in a statement. “We’re seeing creators push the boundaries of what’s possible across every platform and medium, using cutting-edge technology, innovative storytelling, and thoughtful design to tackle deeply personal challenges while reaching global audiences. With submissions from six continents, it’s clear that the future of impact gaming is global, diverse, and deeply human.”
2025 Games for Change award winners
BEST NARRATIVE & GAME OF THE YEAR
Indika (Odd Meter) – A thought-provoking adventure where religious visions clash with harsh reality as a young nun questions her faith in 19th-century Russia.
BEST IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Crab God (Chaos Theory Games) – An atmospheric underwater adventure where players guide their colony, defend the next Crab God’s egg, and restore coral reefs while making a real-world environmental impact.
BEST IN HEALTH & WELLNESS
Vampire Therapist (Little Bat Games) – Players take on the role of a vampire therapist using cognitive behavioral therapy to help immortal clients with timeless problems.
BEST IN IMPACT
Umfeld [social environment] (Hochschule RheinMain) – A prosocial game demonstrating how communities can build supportive networks to prevent intimate partner violence before it occurs.
BEST IN CIVICS
Kingdom of Rizia (Torpor Games) – A royal strategy experience where players lead the Golden Kingdom to reclaim lost territories through diplomacy or force while engaging with noble houses.
BEST IN INNOVATION
In the Current of Being (Cameron Kostopoulos) – A groundbreaking haptic VR experience that uses wearable technology to share the physical journey of an electroshock conversion therapy survivor.
BEST IN LEARNING
Tablecraft (Not Suspicious) – A VR mad science sandbox where players craft materials from
atoms, experiment on test subjects, and rediscover the entire Periodic Table.
BEST IN XR
Impulse: Playing with Reality (Anagram) – An immersive documentary that helps participants experience and understand the chaos, creativity, and intensity of living with ADHD firsthand.
BEST GAMEPLAY
Neva (Nomada Studio) – A moving tale of a young woman and her lifelong bond with a
magnificent wolf in a rapidly dying world.
NEW BEST PLATFORM-BASED PROJECT
Seattle Children’s Hospital Minecraft Server (Hive Games & Mojang Studio) – The world’s first hospital-supported Minecraft server that provides a secure environment for pediatric patients to explore, play, and connect while reducing anxiety.
BEST STUDENT PROJECT
Prší (Herdek Kolektiv) – A journey of self-reflection following the search for a missing pub regular, capturing Czech culture while examining the cycle of alcoholism and escapism.
BEST BOARD OR TABLETOP GAME FOR IMPACT
Legless in London (Focus Games) – A tabletop game where players experience life as a
lower-limb amputee navigating Victorian London’s social and economic challenges.
ACCESSIBILITY AWARD
Botany Manor (Balloon Studios) – This botanical puzzle game features thoughtful accessibility settings, such as no time limits, one-joystick gameplay options, motion-sickness award-winning design, adjustable camera settings, and more that welcome players of all abilities.
INDIE BREAKOUT AWARD
1000xRESIST (sunset visitor 斜陽遊客) – A powerful game exploring diasporas and intergenerational memories through sci-fi storytelling, exploring how historical wounds shape identity while celebrating resilience.
2025 Games for Change Special Awards
Beyond recognizing excellence in game and immersive experience categories, the G4C Festival celebrated seven special award winners – people, organizations, and projects – that have made exceptional contributions to advancing positive change in the game industry.
G4C VANGUARD AWARD
Dr. Rachel Kowert received the G4C Vanguard Award for her pioneering work at the intersection of psychology, gaming, and mental health.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD
PRELOADED was honored with the Industry Leadership Award for 25 years of creating meaningful interactive experiences that blend education, culture, and social good.
G4C GIVING AWARD
Amir Satvat received the G4C Giving Award for his transformative leadership in supporting
gaming professionals affected by industry layoffs.
G4C HALL OF CHANGE
Asi Burak was inducted into the G4C Hall of Change for two decades of dedication to advancing impact games, from his pioneering work on PeaceMaker to his leadership in transforming G4C into an internationally recognized movement.
INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
Gilson Schwartz, President of the G4C Latin America chapter, received the International
Leadership Award for 15 years of supporting the global Games for Change movement and
transforming São Paulo into a hub for socially impactful games.