Motive co-presents GAMERella Game Jam
Motive partners with GAMERella to offer an inclusive and supportive game jam, on a global scale.
This season, Motive is partnering with TAG, Concordia University’s interdisciplinary centre for research and creation in game studies and design, digital culture and interactive art, to co-present the 2021 edition of GAMERella taking place online July 9th-11th.
GAMERella is the longest running inclusive game jam, that accompasses a free game-making marathon and series of workshops that focus on mentorship and career support to women (cis/trans), trans men, non-binary/genderqueer folk, BIPOC and marginalized groups who feel like they haven’t reached their potential in game-making.
The event was first designed in 2013 by TAG (Technoculture, Art and Games Research Center) to provide participants with a safe space to take risks, improve skills, seek mentorship and make lasting connections- or in short, deliver a positive introduction to game development. Since then, the jam has expanded, recognized by the Global Game Jam organization and serving as an example to many of inclusive gaming practices. This year, a fully virtual event space has allowed them to go global. They expect the largest turnout yet this coming July- with room for up to 300 participants.
"For us organizers, it is paramount to listen to the feedback our participants share with us every year. That is how we make sure that GAMERella continues to support its community. This Global edition came about because we saw the need for mentorship, career support, and industry advice. And to bring that wisdom directly from the source, we partnered with some amazing organizations, including Motive Studio. Hosting the event entirely online comes with this unique opportunity to bring experts, industry veterans, and upcoming game‑makers together from all across the world."
– Gina Haraszti, Coordinator and Creative Director TA
GAMERella showcase and participants jamming from home during the pandemic in 2020 (photo by Danielle Olson).
"We’re excited about our partnership with GAMERella this summer, their mission aligns with Motive’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry and at the studio. For us, that means showing up to support events like these, but also being intentional about how we design our hiring practices and our studio culture to make Motive a safe space for everyone. We want to set the table for a more diverse generation of game developers to consider a career in games."
– Ambre Lizurey, Director of Operations at Motive
As a co-presenter of the event, Motive studio members are volunteering time to mentor teams throughout the weekend. There is still room to mentor! If you can offer coaching on game engines, programming or art and design- be it for a few hours or an entire weekend- join us at the event by emailing gamerella@concordia.ca.
To sign up as a participant to the GAMERella Game Jam this July, visit the Eventbrite link here (registration ends July 8th).
For more information about GAMERella visit their website here, or the TAG homepage here.
To find out more about EA and Motive commitments to Inclusion & Diversity, including our ERGS, Community Outreach and Positive Play Project, visit our website here.