Top 100 to be Revealed Following the 9th Annual Games for Change Festival in New York City
New York, NY (June 11, 2012) –The most knowledgeable game experts and players from around the globe have been challenged to curate “The 100.” Games for Change, a nonprofit catalyzing social impact through digital gaming, and ESI Design, one of the world’s foremost experience design firms, have united to tap into the collective wisdom of the global gaming community to pick the top games everyone should play. The results will be revealed following the 9th Annual Games for Change Festival, taking place at NYU’s Skirball Center on June 18-20.
“Those new to gaming, and even experienced gamers, often ask, ‘What should I play?’” explains Asi Burak, Co-president of Games for Change. Adds Michelle Byrd, Co-President of Games for Change, “Conceived by our friends at ESI Design, we hope “The 100” will be a resource for the community by the community, which will organically evolve year after year.”
From June 1 to 20, the gaming community has been invited to nominate and vote for the top 100 games at the100.esidesign.com. Games can be any format (digital, physical, social, etc.) and any subject — they don’t have to be educational, just great to play
During the festival, a selection of the top 20 buzz-worthy games will be chosen from the list and will be highlighted as an in-person interactive activity on-site, spotlighting each game’s strengths and social benefits: from collaboration to citizenship, critical thinking to creativity, storytelling to social responsibility. Following the festival, the final complete list of “The 100” will be packaged as a resource to be released later this year.
”Games provide engaging ways to forge positive social interactions, model and learn new skills, and build meaningful relationships,” adds Edwin Schlossberg, founder and principal designer of ESI Design. “We hope The 100 will help more people leverage the power of games for good.”
In addition to “The 100”, Games for Change will also enhance its digital footprint during the festival with its selection of the New Livestream as its new exclusive streaming platform. Adding to the current social networks, the New Livestream will allow Games for Change seamless social integration and an ability to highlight the core programming taking place during the Festival live at NYU Skirball Center, while also adding photos, text updates, and chat to the online experience.
Visit the Games for Change Festival Livestream page at new.livestream.com/g4c
The Games for Change Festival is the leading global event focused on leveraging entertainment and engagement for social good. Each year the festival brings the digital games industry and gaming enthusiasts together with a broader community of educators, policymakers, activists, foundations and others. Open to the public, the festival includes a Game Arcade where award-nominated games can be played, along with speakers, panels, workshops and other activities. The festival culminates with the annual Games for Change Awards.
For a complete itinerary and to register, visit www.gamesforchange.org/festival
Major support for the 9th Annual Games for Change Festival is provided by the AMD Foundation, the Entertainment Software Association Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Microsoft, and ESI Design.
About ESI Design
ESI Design is an interdisciplinary team of passionate problem solvers who seek nothing less than to make the world a better place through transformative design. ESI designs and produces imaginative high-impact experiences that integrate physical, digital and social design to inspire ongoing conversation, collaboration, and action. ESI employs more than 50 professionals from multiple disciplines, including interactive and graphic designers, architects and artists, communications and systems specialists, writers and educators. ESI’s Game Lab specializes in promoting collaboration through play, spectacle and narrative in the public realm.
Visit www.esidesign.com
About Games for Change
Games for Change (G4C) is the leading global advocate for supporting and making games for social impact. Founded in 2004, G4C facilitates the creation and distribution of social impact games that serve as critical tools in humanitarian and educational efforts. The organization aims to leverage entertainment and engagement for social good. To further grow the field, G4C convenes multiple stakeholders, highlights best practices, incubates games, and helps create and direct investment into new projects.
Visit www.gamesforchange.org