Expansion and Relocation of Games for Change Festival to New Cities Announced

Games for Change has revealed plans to expand its annual festival, with a new host city being introduced in odd-numbered years, commencing with Arizona in 2027. According to GamesBeat, the New York-based non-profit has formed a partnership with Arizona State University for the 2027 event, scheduled to occur from October 11 to 13. As part of this partnership, ASU's Endless Games and Learning Lab will provide support to G4C participants and offer access to game design courses. The two parties will also collaborate on research projects focused on AI, game ecosystems, and the role of games in workplace learning. The G4C Festival will return to New York in even-numbered years, with a revised three-day schedule due to increased attendance, which reached approximately 1,000 in-person visitors this year. "By bringing the Festival to Arizona State University, we aim to create a more inclusive environment, allowing more creators, developers, educators, and researchers to participate," stated Games for Change president Susanna Pollack. Mark Ollila, founding director of ASU Endless Games and Learning Lab, added: "This partnership acknowledges the potential of microcredentials in establishing flexible, meaningful, and forward-thinking learning pathways." The lab's focus is on 'make to learn, play to learn, and learn to earn' – utilizing games not only as content but also as a mechanism for skills development, exploration, and economic opportunities. Earlier this year, G4C partnered with the London Games Festival for the inaugural Games for Change London Summit, which took place on April 15. The summit aimed to bring together industry professionals, educators, policymakers, and innovators to explore the potential of games to drive positive social change. Last week, G4C announced the winners of this year's awards, with Compulsion Games' South of Midnight receiving the Game and Experience of the Year awards. Hexecutable's Consume Me won Best Narrative, Best Gameplay, and the Indie Breakout Award, while Thatgamecompany received the Industry Leader Award. Additionally, G4C published its Raising Good Gamers report, which provides a roadmap for better supporting families who play games by addressing parental concerns about gaming with evidence rather than fear.