Games for Change

Games for Change
Name	Games for Change
Formation	2004
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	New York City
Region served	Global
Leader title	CEO
Leader name	Susanna Pollack

Games for Change is a nonprofit organization that promotes the creation and distribution of digital games that address social issues, public policy, civic engagement, health, and learning. Founded in 2004, it organizes festivals, awards, and accelerator programs that connect game designers, educators, funders, and policymakers to amplify games as tools for social impact. Through partnerships with foundations, technology companies, universities, and cultural institutions, the organization has supported projects across topics such as disaster response, climate change, youth civic participation, and public health.

History

The organization was founded in 2004 amid rising interest in serious games and persuasive technologies, drawing attention from figures associated with Serious Games Summit, Independent Games Festival, Sundance Film Festival, South by Southwest, and Tribeca Film Festival. Early advisory contributors included leaders from MIT Media Lab, New York University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford University. Initial programming focused on an annual festival and awards that highlighted both commercial and independent titles inspired by social themes, aligning with initiatives supported by the MacArthur Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Ford Foundation. Over time the nonprofit expanded to include year-round programs such as accelerators, educator resources, and international chapters in collaboration with partners like UNICEF, World Bank, and United Nations Development Programme.

Mission and Programs

The organization's mission centers on accelerating the creation and distribution of games that have social impact by fostering professional networks, curating competitions, and providing capacity-building services. Core programs have included an annual festival and conference, an awards program that recognizes innovation in topics including civic engagement, health, and learning, and accelerator tracks pairing developers with funders such as the Knight Foundation and Mozilla Foundation. Educational initiatives have tied work to institutions including Columbia University, Harvard University, Yale University, and University of California, Berkeley to integrate game-based approaches into classroom practice and informal learning. Public-facing tools and curricula have been piloted with partners including PBS, Smithsonian Institution, National Endowment for the Arts, and American Red Cross.

Notable Games and Projects

The organization has showcased and supported a wide range of titles and projects, from indie narratives to large-scale simulations. Notable examples featured in its programs include titles like Darfur is Dying, Foldit, Plague Inc. (in policy discussions), This War of Mine, and September 12th; participatory projects such as iCivics collaborations and interactive documentaries showcased alongside works from thatgamecompany and Joshua Davis. Health-focused games supported or highlighted through partnerships include projects tied to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campaigns and collaborations involving World Health Organization guidelines. Climate and resilience simulations have been developed in conjunction with researchers affiliated with University of Oxford, Columbia Climate School, and NASA research centers. The organization has also incubated experimental titles from studios such as Amanita Design, Double Fine Productions, Klei Entertainment, and academic prototypes from labs including Game Lab (Michigan State University) and Experimental Game Lab (MIT). Awards and showcases have elevated work by creators affiliated with festivals like Independent Games Festival and institutions such as International Documentary Association.

Festivals and Events

Its signature annual festival assembles panels, workshops, and exhibitions that bring together developers, funders, policymakers, and cultural leaders from entities including Microsoft Research, Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, and venture partners. Satellite events and meetups have been held at venues such as Museum of Modern Art, Cooper Hewitt, SXSW EDU, and international venues coordinated with partners like British Council, European Commission, and Asian Development Bank. Special programs at the festival have featured keynote speakers and partners from New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, and research organizations such as RAND Corporation and Pew Research Center.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding has come from a mix of foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, government arts agencies, and earned-revenue activities. Major philanthropic partners historically include the MacArthur Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Annenberg Foundation, and Carnegie Corporation of New York. Corporate and technology partners have included Unity Technologies, Epic Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Valve Corporation. Public arts and cultural funding has been provided through agencies such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and National Endowment for the Arts. International collaborations have engaged multilateral organizations like UNESCO and European Commission funding streams.

Impact and Criticism

Supporters point to measurable outcomes in learning studies and civic participation pilots that drew evaluation partnerships with RAND Corporation, SRI International, Abt Associates, and university researchers at University of Pennsylvania and University College London. Games and projects catalyzed through the organization's programs have been cited in policy discussions at United Nations General Assembly side events and municipal implementations in cities such as New York City, London, Cape Town, and Singapore. Criticism has centered on the limits of efficacy claims for "serious games," debates over impact evaluation standards raised by scholars at Harvard Kennedy School and London School of Economics, and concerns about reliance on corporate sponsorships raised by advocates associated with Public Interest Research Groups and independent developers. Others have argued the festival circuit can favor well-resourced studios over grassroots creators, prompting calls for more equitable funding models from organizations like Indie Fund and GlobalGiving.

Category:Nonprofit organizations based in New York City