Playlab Festival
About this Event
On Thursday, June 25, 2026, Connect-U turns into a lively spot where young creators, games, and creativity collide. Discover what young game creators from the east of the Netherlands are up to. You can play their prototypes, dive into the stories behind their development, and connect with professionals, students, and organizations from the creative industry.
What to expect: Expect inspiring talks from game professionals about their journey from student to professional, playable game prototypes made for education, entertainment, and healthcare, plus panel discussion about the ups and downs of the game industry. Wrap up the day with networking drinks and meet creators and industry partners.
Whether you’re a student, creative pro, educator, or just curious, this festival gives you a fresh look at how games and gamification can make a social impact.
Agenda
🕑: 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Exhibition Area
Info: This exhibition shows prototypes created by students and independent creators from the University of Twente, Saxion, ROC van Twente, and Gamelab Oost Talent. Visitors can explore games about health, education, and entertainment, and discover how ideas develop from sketches and concept art into playable prototypes.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Speaker to be announced
Info: This talk features a game industry professional reflecting on their path from graduating to where they are now, with insights into early career growth, challenges, and opportunities in the field.
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:30 PM
Game in the Making
Info: Young game makers share their creative process behind two serious games: Money Doors and Viral Impact. Money Doors is a team game for children about making smart financial choices, solving challenges, and keeping the most money. Viral Impact is a roguelike that helps people with a mild intellectual disability navigate the online world more safely and confidently.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
Speaker to be announced
Info: This talk also features a game industry professional reflecting on their path from graduating to where they are now, with insights into early career growth, challenges, and opportunities in the field.
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:45 AM
Panel Discussion: Inside the Game Industry
Host: Sisilia Nedyalkova
Info: Join three game industry professionals as they share their personal journeys, career paths, and insights into working in the game industry. The panel will explore different routes into games, what the industry is really like, and what it takes to grow from student to professional. More panel members to be announced.
🕑: 04:45 PM - 06:00 PM
Networking drinks
Info: An informal networking moment where students, educational institutions, and companies come together to celebrate young creators from the East of the Netherlands and help open up new opportunities for them.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
EUR 0.00
