GameChangers open house a hit! Don't miss last chance to sign up!

On Feb. 4, CSI hosted the GameChangers open house, welcoming dozens of eager participants—women and men, students and professionals in game and software development—interested in collaboratively designing a digital game.

GameChangers is a team game design competition where participants have a chance to collaborate, network and build mentoring relationships through the creative experience of designing a game, anything from social justice games to casual games and everything in between.

The open house was the first step in forming teams for the GameChangers competition that culminates in a showcase event April 14 at CSI Annex. There is still time to join a team by filling out an application before Feb. 9 here.

The open house started in typical CSI fashion with food, drinks and lively conversations as people streamed through the doors. Jessica Hazen, the director of stakeholder engagement at CSI, gave a presentation laying out the groundwork for the events ahead. The next event is the Game Design Jam on Feb. 18, a networking and brainstorming session where teams will be formed.

After hearing the details, it was time to move into action. The Project Team demonstrated a game design improv by drawing random ideas out of a bucket and brainstorming a game plot for the audience.

The crowd broke out into groups to brainstorm their own game storylines, which they then presented to all the participants. No plot seemed too crazy for this creative bunch.

Ryerson University students Nikita Anand and Winston Chow were among the participants. Both felt GameChangers would be a great way to gain experience and network.

“I like how it’s a practical opportunity to produce something,” Chow said. “I also game a lot so this is a chance to take my passion to the next level.”

CSI hopes the competition will attract a healthy mix of women and men, because the game and software development industries have a long way to go in terms of diversity—women make up only 9% of the gaming and software workforce.

“I think the biggest detriment of women’s underrepresentation in the gaming industry is that the games produced may not be as interesting for women to play,” said Stephanie Guthrie, a Project Team member. “But if they are able to participate in the development of the concepts and the development of the art, then it is more likely that the game will appeal to a broader base of players.”

More diversity in games and in the workforce, that’s what we want to see! The Game Design Jam on Feb. 18 is the last chance to form a team. So, if you are a student or professional in game or software development, don’t miss it! Fill out the application here before Feb. 9.