Games for Change has partnered with the New Georgia Project for the Civic Engagement Jam, an in-person game design competition taking place September 24 – 26 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Civic Engagement Jam is designed to encourage civic engagement with young and first-time voters. Subject matter will include economic justice, reproductive rights, climate equity, childcare, and more. Twelve teams will compete for cash prizes, including a $10,000 grand prize, and the chance to have the game produced by the New Georgia Project.
Georgia has become a political powerhouse in the United States, most recently in the last presidential election, flipping the state for the Democrat party for President Biden, as well as sending two new Democrat Senators to Congress after a close run-off election. As state-level Republicans push laws to restrict voting, the New Georgia Project works to engage young and minority voters, and keep the momentum going.
“We were successful this past election cycle because we got creative in the ways we reached out to voters — even during a pandemic,” said Nsé Ufot, CEO, New Georgia Project. “We utilized unconventional tactics to meet young voters where they’re at and invite them into the civic participation process that all too often ignores them. We are proud to continue our mission to amplify the voices of historically excluded communities and defend all Georgians’ access to free and fair elections with our partner in service, Games for Change.”
Games for Change is a nonprofit that drives civic issues, education, and global impact through gaming. They most recently partnered with Epic Games to get educational versions of Fortnite into classrooms.
“As the leading global advocate for the power of games to drive social impact, Games for Change is proud to partner with the New Georgia Project to create our first game jam focused on civic engagement,” said Susanna Pollack, President at Games for Change. “We know first-hand how games and immersive media can have a positive, real-world impact. We invite our broader game development community to get involved, as we tap into their creative and technical know-how to inspire a generation of gamers to participate in an important civic duty.”
