By Jeff Ramos, Community and Content Manager, Games for Change

For the first time, this year's Games for Change Festival created an opportunity for producers of games in development to get live feedback from leading game designers, educators, and funders on the main stage. This "Demo Spotlight" highlighted six upcoming games to present their work in front of a stellar jury: Frank Lantz of Zynga New York and NYU, Ken Perlin of the Games for Learning Institute, and Connie Yowell from the MacArthur Foundation.

Hot off the heel of winning a Games for Change Award for The Curfew and the release of their new game, Sweatshop, we spoke to Darren Garrett, the Chief Creative of Littleloud Digital Entertainment. Darren and his studio are best known for the BAFTA Award winning title "Bow Street Runner", as well as many other games for commercial properties.

Games for Change spoke with Darren about their work with Channel 4 Education in the UK, how they approach creating innovative and immerse games, and the difference in experience between creating commercial titles and "games for change."

Casey Golden, CEO, Small Act

What if video games could change the world?

They already are. Nonprofits around the globe are using online games not to only educate the public, but to get donations and supporters – and even help find cures for diseases.

Why are games important?

Games "...may prove to be a key resource for solving some of our most pressing real-world problems," according to game designer Jane McGonigal in The Wall Street Journal. "When we play, we... have a sense of urgent optimism. We believe whole-heartedly that we are up to any challenge, and we become remarkably resilient in the face of failure." Gamers are exactly the kinds of people you want helping your organization succeed.

NTEN's Amy Sample Ward shares from her experiences at the Games for Change Festival.

James Shelton, US Department of Education:

Education is probably the area where we have failed to innovate the most. This morning we talked about creating clusters of innovation, bringing in various communities, etc. But before we got there, we talked a bit about the problem. I want to frame first the opportunity: we often talk about the competitiveness frame in education, that the US used to be number one, and now we are "falling behind." The truth is that other countries are passing us by.

You're an innovative thinker, right? Of course you are! That's why you're part of the NTEN community! So, put on your innovative thinking cap, because we have a homework assignment for you.

The 5th Annual Games for Change Festival, taking place June 2-4 in NYC, will kick off with a free workshop for nonprofits interested in social issue games. It'd be great to get some NTEN representation there:

Games for Change, the international nexus and primary community of practice for individuals and organizations interested in games for positive social change will be hosting a free day-long workshop for non-profits and public institutions new to the field of video games and "real world issues".

There aren't many spaces left at the workshop, and you do need to apply. The rest of the conference looks pretty intriguing, as well: the closing keynote will be delivered by the Honorable Sandra Day O'Conner. We hear she's wicked good at FIFA 08.