Hey digital pioneers! Just rolled back from a soul-stirring family sojourn in the heart of Texas, and I'm supercharged to rewind the simulation and offer you a sneak peek into the VR rollercoaster that was the 20th anniversary of the Games for Change Festival. My inaugural deep dive into this 4D carnival of invention and discovery was nothing short of mind-bending. So, strap on your headsets as we teleport through time and space to relive this quantum leap into the future of gaming!
Day One: The Launch Sequence Begins
🚀
As I stepped into the vibrant festival universe on day one, the energy was palpable. Even though I was pulled away by a different event, I was excited that discussions like "Well Played: When Games Truly Work for Well-Being" were sparking enlightening conversations in parallel dimensions.
Instead, my journey that night took me to the launch party of Medicinal Media. The brainchild of Mike Wilson, this not-for-profit is setting an impressive course, illuminating the art and science of beneficial media. I encourage you to discover this galaxy of innovation here.
Day Two: Orbiting the Crossroads of Gaming and Health 🌑
Day two was an exhilarating ride through groundbreaking dialogues. Ryan J. Douglas from DeepWell DTx, introduced by Michael Wilson, delivered an insightful talk on the transformative power of play in mental health. The session served as a powerful reminder of the promising intersection of gaming and medicine.
Later, I attended the insightful discussion by Elizabeth Kilmer and Rachel Kowert from Take This on the urgent issue of combating extremism in gaming. As a participant in their roundtables at Andromeda Entertainment, it was rewarding to see the presentation of their research. To learn more about their mission and the invaluable work they do, visit Take This.
Day Three: Navigating the Future of Gaming
☄️
Jason Parks from ROTU Entertainment dominated the third day with his engaging talk about using immersive gaming for positive social change. His insights, peppered with examples from ROTU's own journey, resonated with the attendees, filling us with a renewed sense of purpose. Discover more about ROTU's fascinating work here.
After Jason's talk, the celebration began. We headed out for dinner and then off to a classic New York City barcade experience in Brooklyn. There, our good friend and consultant to Andromeda, Karla Reyes, was DJing a set. Amidst the pulsating beats and flickering neon lights, we immersed ourselves in exhilarating games, riveting discussions about VR, and our collective dream of building a better future. Our guide for the evening was Pat, a seasoned New Yorker, Meta employee, and budding entrepreneur who expertly navigated us through the urban labyrinth. In the spirit of Games for Change, it was an evening of gaming, connection, and envisioning the future.
Day Four: Beyond the Finale 🎉
Even after the festival had technically wrapped up, the spirit of Games for Change continued to infuse the air. Elizabeth and I carried on the momentum with a relaxing lunch at PS Kitchen, followed by an exploratory walk through Times Square. This time allowed for meaningful connection and brainstorming, proving that the end of the festival was only the beginning of new ideas and collaborations.
Experiencing the 20th anniversary of Games for Change was a phenomenal adventure through the rapidly evolving landscape of gaming. The dedication of the speakers, the innovation of the projects, and the community's united vision highlighted the immense potential of gaming as a catalyst for change. I returned home loaded with insights, rejuvenated passion, and the drive to meet future challenges head-on. Here's to pushing the boundaries of possibility at Games for Change and beyond. Let's keep leveling up!
Virtually yours,
Ashley 'ashleyriott' Blake | COO, Andromeda Entertainment
Links mentioned in this blog
(n.d.). Games for Change: Home. https://www.gamesforchange.org/
(n.d.). Medicinal Media. https://www.medicinal-media.org/
(n.d.). DeepWell DTx | Video Game Therapeutics. https://www.deepwelldtx.com/
(n.d.). ROTU Entertainment - Video Games and Virtual Production. https://www.rotu.com/
Kilmer, E., Kowert, R., Walker, C., DePass, T., & Crevoshay, E. (n.d.). Home - Take This. https://www.takethis.org/