During my Masters program at University of Cambridge, I’ve been researching how video games can inspire and foster climate action. Today I had the chance to play the vertical slice (the beginning prototype) for the game that I’ve been working on. It’s beautiful, emotional, and challenging — all characteristics of a game that connect with players, and connect those players to something far beyond their screens.
3 billion people across the globe play video games. However, storytelling through video games has largely been absent from the climate change conversations that involve policy makers, governments, businesses, climate scientists, academics, and climate communicators. As someone who belongs to all of those communities and has worked in all of those sectors, I hope that I can be a bridge that not only brings them together but also helps them to collaborate and work together toward their common goal for a healthy, sustainable planet for all.
This game could be a game changer, and I can’t wait to see where this goes. More details soon as the prototype grows toward the market launch in Fall 2024.
“Go further than you think you can, or should. Push that boundary of what you could do into the uncomfortable zone because that’s where you know change is happening.” ~ Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of SYBO
Because 1/3 of the world population plays games, games need to be a tool for every organization working in sustainability. If you’re interested in learning more about that, please get in touch! I’d love to share ideas of how you can get started! I also encourage anyone and everyone to look into Playing 4 The Planet, the UN’s inspiring games initiative with resources and data for every size of organization.
The summit was filled with incredible presentations about what’s already been done with games, projects that are underway, and the mountain of work ahead. There is one idea that I can’t shake, one perspective that completely changed my point-of-view about my work and my place in the world. It was from Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of gaming company Sybo. He talked about how his company is pushing the boundaries in their communications and storytelling so far that there was a bit of backlash from their community. Rather than seeing this as a mistake or misstep, he saw this as a victory to be celebrated, a milestone that showcases progress. On this border, he saw evolution, change, and a provocative call-to-action. He closed his talk by saying he hopes all of us will have the courage to go further than we think we can, and to push our companies to do the same.
Over the next few weeks and months, I’m going to think about what that boundary is for me and how I can push past it to create breakthrough change. How can I extend myself beyond what I think I’m capable of doing? How can I take a bigger risk, step outside of my comfort zone to do something extraordinary that I’m not certain I can accomplish? How can I dare greatly?
I don’t know the answers to any of those questions right now, but I’m excited and eager to find them and share them. I hope you’ll join me in that quest to rise higher, to go further and faster together. The future of our planet, and all species with whom we share it, depends on it.
I’ll be attending this year’s Games for Change festival in New York City in July with press credentials. I’m a freelancer so I’m looking forward to submitting pieces to a number of publications. If you’re interested in having me write for your publication, please get in touch at christa.avampato@gmail.com.
I spoke at the festival a decade ago for the 10th anniversary when I was with Sesame Workshop managing the National STEM Video Game Challenge. At this year’s 20th anniversary, I’m looking forward to meeting and learning from all of the attendees, and being inspired by how games are helping to build a better world for all beings. I’m particularly interested in games and developers focused on climate issues and the environment.
1/3 of the global population plays video games. With engaging climate change storylines and content, video games have the potential to create billions of new climate advocates to protect the health of the natural world, and by extension the health of all beings including us. This is the topic of my first two academic papers at University of Cambridge. I got my mark and feedback on my first paper and my graders were very complimentary saying the paper was of professional quality and has a strong literature review and purposeful recommendations for the company to use going forward. They also liked the persuasive case I made for the value of hope and joy in climate activism.
This is the first time I’ve ever written a paper in this style of academic writing. My topic was unusual for them. I brought my heart and personality into the style and structure of the paper. They said that’s also an unusual choice for academic writing but it works. I wrote the paper I was passionate about creating, and I’m proud of it. I learned a lot in this process that I will use throughout the rest of my graduate degree program and in my career going forward.
A huge thank you to my friend, Jennifer Estaris, and the entire team at ustwo games for inviting me to be a part of this gorgeous video game project that brings me so much joy and hope, and has taught me so much. Thanks also to everyone who cheered me on as I spent more hours on this paper than I’ve ever spent on any one academic assignment.
Now I’m drafting the action plan for my next assignment and preparing for my next workshop in Cambridge in March. I can’t wait to be back together with my cohort in that magical place. On to the next tranche of this adventure with a grateful and open heart and mind…
Christa Avampato 