Believe it or not, online games are about more than car races and shoot-em-ups. And with a new movement, we're not talking about boring edutainment either. Last spring, MTV reached more than a million young people with a game on the Darfur genocide. Youth groups are building games about social issues and fostering leadership skills in the process. A growing coalition is emerging to reach a new generation in the language so many of them already speak: games. Cheaper tools and new partnerships are emerging, as well as important differences between making games and other media. Games are already a mainstream form of media, and can help traditional nonprofits go beyond preaching to the converted and find new audiences. This session will outline some of the easier ways to implement gaming strategies and give you tips to make your endeavor a success.

Takeaways:

1. Overview of new games being made to address social issues
2. How to evaluate if online gaming is right for your organization
3. Strategies for implementation

Speaker List:

1. Heidi J. Boisvert
2. Barry Joseph
3. Karen L. Michaelson / Tincan
4. Suzanne Seggerman / Games For Change
5. Benjamin Stokes

Session Materials:

1. Session slides by Barry Joseph
2. Video Games for Social Change handout