Giving Compass' Take:

• Games for Change Festival hosts social innovators who have created games that promote social impact and engagement with social justice issues. 

• Why are games a good platform to partner with social impact causes? 

• Read about this edtech startup utilizing gamification techniques to increase engagement. 

How playing games can actually improve your life, leave you feeling better than ever, and create a social impact: There is great evidence that some games actually are GOOD and can positively impact us! These are called Games for Change.

There’s a community of amazing people who have been working on these types of games for the last 15 years through the Games for Change festival that’s happening right now in NYC! Creators and social innovators are driving real-world change by empowering people to take social action through games.   These savvy techies are working on cutting-edge technology that leverages games for change making an impact in the civic sector, directly addressing issues around social justice, human development, as well as the environment and responsible citizenship.

Playing games can bring together fundamental aspects of psychology, sociology, and technology to engage people for social change. For starters, it allows children to develop and experience life in a safe environment. Additionally, it encourages people, in general, to pursue their ambitions, develop a realistic framework for achieving them, and improves our emotional intelligence.

One example: The Good Cards. A digital platform and mobile app that empowers and motivates people to do good deeds and track the ripple effect they’ve inspired.

 

Read the full article about social impact games by Api Podder at My Social Good News