Our Mission:
As part of a broader initiative of believers in the power of games to address these critical issues, inspire global action, and drive meaningful change, we aim to build and share knowledge around the topic of humanitarian games.
Our Vision:
Our vision is to build a thriving community where game developers, academics, and humanitarian advocates come together to explore innovative ways that games can impact the world. By sharing stories, collaborating, and learning from one another, we aim to inspire future projects that tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
Our Approach:
Our approach is simple yet impactful: each month, we host a live webinar featuring a game developer whose work tackles a key humanitarian issue. Through these talks, we explore the creative process, the underlying humanitarian message, and the real-world impact of these games. Attendees through live stream have the opportunity to engage with developers, fostering dialogue and collaboration.
Future Goals:
As we move forward, we aim to broaden our reach, collaborate with more developers, and grow our community. Beyond webinars, we are looking at new ways to foster deeper collaboration, including increased social media interaction and partnerships with humanitarian organizations.
Meet the Team:
- Prof. Dr. Emmanuel Guardiola: Professor Emmanuel Guardiola is a veteran of the video game industry with over 30 major titles released for publishers such as Ubisoft and independent studios.
- Prof. Dr. Rex Brynen: Rex Brynen is professor of political science at McGill University and senior editor of PAXsims, a website devoted to serious games and simulations on conflict, peacebuilding, and development. He is the designer of the boardgame AFTERSHOCK: A Humanitarian Crisis Game, and was part of the team that developed the Outbreak READY! digital simulations on infectious disease outbreaks in humanitarian contexts.
- Dr. Hervé Chomienne is an assistant professor of management sciences at ISM-IAE, the Graduate School of Management at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines / Paris-Saclay University, and a member of the Larequoi Management Research Laboratory. His research focuses on the changement management of public organizations and the implementation of public policies. He regularly plays historical, economic and political simulation board games.
- Prof. Dr. Stela Raytcheva is a full professor of management sciences at ISM-IAE, the Graduate School of Management at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines / Paris-Saclay University, and a member of the Larequoi Management Research Laboratory. Her research focuses on the management of international and intercultural organizations, as well as issues related to their social responsibilities.
- Khaled Abu Almajd: Student and game artist at Cologne Game Lab.
Collaborators:
- PAXsims: PaxSims is devoted to peace, conflict, humanitarian, and development simulations for education, training, and policy analysis.
Contact Us:
Join our network, attend an upcoming webinar, or even suggest a developer who’s making an impact through gaming through our email at: hgn@colognegamelab.de