Nonprofit organisation Games for Change announced its 2023 Awards winners at the Festival Awards Ceremony at the Times Center, New York.
The Lego Group takes home the Industry Leadership Award for its dedication to play in both the physical and virtual worlds. Games for Change also praises the Lego Group for its commitment to safety and responsible use in the digital realm.
“It’s truly an honour to be recognised by Games for Change in its Industry Leadership category for our work helping provide engaging, immersive, and creatively rich digital experiences for kids that are grounded in the highest safety standards,” says The LEGO Group Senior Director Carolina Giuga. “We believe that, as an industry, we are moving in the right direction, but there is still more work to do to ensure the builders of tomorrow can reach their creative potential in digital environments that are safe by design, and we look forward to continuing our work with a variety of partners to help realise that vision.”
Award for most significant impact goes to game about extinction
Handy Games‘ Endling: Extinction is Forever took home the awards for Most Significant Impact and Game of the Year. The game follows the last mother fox on earth attempting to help her cubs survive in a dying world.
“This year, we were astounded and inspired by the global creativity and innovation in all of our Award nominees,” says Susanna Pollack, President of Games for Change. “We’re thrilled to honour ‘Endling: Extinction is Forever’ by Herobeat Studios as our Game of the Year. This game confronts us with the harsh realities of environmental degradation, encourages critical conversations about conservation, and exemplifies the transformative power of games as catalysts for social change.”
Other games to take home awards include Terra Nil for Most Innovative; and Go, Nisha, Go: My Life My Choice for Best Learning Game. Additionally, Gerda: A Flame In Winter, a narrative RPG-lite taking place during World War II, won the Best Narrative Award. Likewise, (val)iant: or, val’s guide to having a broken vag received the award for Best Student Game. The title is a browser game in which players take on the role of non-binary college student Val struggling with vaginismus. Additional winners include Cat Park (Tilt) for Best Civics Game and Luna’s Light for Best Health Game. I Was a Teenage Exocolonist won Best Gameplay and Body of Mine VR won the Best XR4C Experience award.
Honouring Alan Gershenfeld
In addition to honouring various games, Games for Change also awarded Alan Gershenfeld the Hall of Change Award. The first Chairperson of Games for Change, Gershenfeld has worked to enhance the impact of games throughout his career.
“Alan Gershenfeld has distinguished himself through remarkable dedication, innovative leadership, and pioneering integration of gaming, technology, and social impact,” said Pollack. “He is a trailblazer and an invaluable ally in our mission to change the way we play and learn. His recognition as the first-ever Hall of Change recipient is a testament to his extraordinary contributions and vision.”
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
