What a night! The 2026 Swedish Game Awards: New Talent crowned this year’s winners at Bio Skandia in Stockholm, celebrating the next generation of Swedish game developers.
More than 80 games from game development programmes across Sweden were submitted to this year’s competition, with 19 games from seven programmes being nominated.
The winners are:
Game of the Year – Laira Cut Me Open by Espaceship Studio, Uppsala University
Jury’s motivation: ”With an unsettling trembling atmosphere, a weird soundtrack and deeply emotional story this game kept us glued to the screen from the bitter beginning to the bitter end. A unique masterpiece that deserves The Game of the Year Award.”
Best Technology – M0THER by Parental Control, PlaygroundSquad
”For combining physics, game AI and humor to create emergent and surprising mechanics, showcasing how technology can be at the core of engaging gameplay.”
Best Visuals – Crimson by Moon Turtle, PlaygroundSquad
”This game has a striking, restrained color palette, beautiful flowing animations and gorgeous art direction that brings the world to life. It has a very clean aesthetic that while pleasing, is also purposeful and most importantly fits the game design beautifully”
Best Audio – FRIGHTLINE by All Aboard Studios, PlaygroundSquad
”This game uses sound and atmosphere to pull you deeper into its world of tension and mystery. With good direction this game builds curiosity, constantly making you want to find out what is waiting around the next corner, if you dare.”
Best Design – Stick Together by Gather Studios, Uppsala University
”Great game design makes you want to keep playing, and this game does exactly that. It was the game we laughed the most while playing: we got stumped, tried things, solved problems together, and had a genuinely great time doing it.”
Outside the Box – Milk of Tomorrow by Ashleep Studios, The Game Assembly
”For inviting us on a walk down memory lane into an alternative surreal past. A unique and warm landscape filled with colorful oddities and curious hidden messages.”
Most Wanted Employer – Landfall Games
A huge congratulations to all the winners and nominees, and to all the students who have put time, creativity and hard work into their games!
The evening was made possible with the support of our sponsors:
Avalanche Studios Group, Redbeet Interactive, Landfall Games, TENSTACK, Hazelight, Perfect Random and Max Matthiessen.
Thank you for supporting the next generation of Swedish game developers!
