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Grand Challenge

We are encouraging games that focus on the problem of misinformation on climate change. 

How can your game help address misunderstanding, or even inoculate people from being misinformed about climate change and its effect on people in their community?  Whether a news game, social impact game, educational game, or just a whimsical experiment in explaining the problems of misinformation, we are offering you an opportunity to help address one of the biggest challenges facing the world today.  Those games that do this best will be eligible for additional funding to support further development and promotion; They will also be featured in our June, 4th IndieCade Horizon’s showcase and promoted through our networks in HEVGA and other non-profits around the world 

This grand challenge is supported through the generous funding of The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and is a call to action for some of the most creative, inspiring and engaging people in the world to make something that really matters.  Go forth and help change the world for the better. 

To qualify your game or prototype must:

  • Directly address a social, physiological, or educational goal related to the spread of misinformation on climate change.      

That’s it! By doing so, you not only help change the world, you’ll get support in doing so.

Guidelines & Information:

  • Games do not need to be finished, they may be prototypes and/or works-in-progress. 
  • Games may be in any format. 
  • Games may be created or enhanced by joining our Climate Jam. The Climate Jam takes place online, it is world wide, and provides available mentors and feedback for climate, disinformation, and game design as well as a community of people working in this area and a structure for feedback creating something new.  
  • Games may also be created independently, as long a draft is uploaded to our itch.io by May 1st. 


Steps and Timeline:

  • May 1st – Prototypes, games, or drafts for consideration must be uploaded to the Climate Jam itch.io site by May 1st 

  • Games must be tagged “ Grand Challenge.” 

  • May 14th – First round of reviews will be announced May 14th, and are also eligible to win awards or honorary mentions in the disinformation category of the jam. If you participate you may also take part in show-and-tell and game feedback sessions on May 14th. 

  • May 16th – Not required, but If you feel passionately about your work you may continue to work on your game/ work independently or by joining our Greenlight slow jam starting May 16th. This jam is specifically structured and designed to help you move your game to the next level for funding possibilities and ultimate distribution. 

Resources and Suggestions:

 If you don’t know where to start, consider engaging with faculty who do social impact games or educational games, and/or join the International Game Developers Climate SIG and/or leverage the available online mentors that are part of the Climate Jam. Access information and use fact sheets from the following:

    PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS

    Premium

    American University
    Bradley University
    Falmouth University
    Miami University
    UC Santa Cruz
    UC Irvine
    University of Canterbury
    University of Miami
    University of Southern California

    Plus

    DePaul University
    The University of Tulsa
    George Mason University
    Sheridan College
    Kent State University
    NYU Game Center

    Partner

    Western University
    Art Center College of Design
    Columbus College of Art and Design

    Basic 

    Emmanuel College

    Horizons is possible in part from support from the Knight Foundation

    FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE KNIGHT FOUNDATION

    Horizons is a partnership of HEVGA and IndieCade

    The Higher Education Video Game Alliance is the leading academic association advocating for the critical role video game programs play in higher education, industry, and government. Our mission is to create a platform for higher education leaders which will underscore the cultural, scientific, and economic importance of video game programs in colleges and universities.

    FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HEVGA
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