[arg_discuss] Fwd: A new game jamfor a great cause - Games for Health

[Andrea Phillips]

I'm passing this along in case anyone is interested -- I figure we all
know a little something about getting people moving, yes? ^_^

________________________________

Hello Chapter Leaders,

With support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Pioneer
Portfolio, The Games for Health Project (www.gamesforhealth.org
<http://owa.talley.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.gamesforhealth.org/>
) and Health Games Research (www.healthgamesresearch.org
<http://owa.talley.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.healthgamesresearch.org/>
) conference (www.gamesforhealth.org
<http://owa.talley.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.gamesforhealth.org>
) have teamed up with the IGDA to produce an as-yet-unnamed Game Jam.
This event is in support of the US Department of Agriculture's Apps
for Healthy Kids contest (http://www.appsforhealthykids.com/
<http://owa.talley.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.appsforhealthykids.com/>
) which is also part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move
anti-childhood obesity campaign.  The goal of this IGDA Game Jam is to
generate interesting prototypes that can be entered into the game
category of Apps for Healthy Kids contest.

Jams will take place from Friday May 21 - Sunday May 23, 2010. An
official announcement will happen in the next few days, but I wanted
to give you all a heads-up because we'd like you to be involved.

We are looking for at least six US Chapters that can host this event
in their local area. We realize there may not be a huge amount of time
for planning (so it will help if you've had experience hosting a game
jam before), but we can make up for it with funding!!! With funds
provided by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation we're making available up
to $1500 per site to help support events. This can cover space, food -
anything that makes the difference in having a great Jam hosted by
your chapter.

On top of this I've been authorized by the grant supporting the Jams
to provide an Organizers Prize (details to follow) which will award a
$1500 cash prize to the chapter that produces the best Jam.

All finished games/prototypes will be exhibited at The 6th Annual
Games for Health Conference later in the week.  The Games for Health
Conference audience will award a winner and two runner ups who will
win cash prizes for their teams.

Overall the goals of this project are to create a fun event for all
involved, to explore how games can help in nutrition, diet and
exercise for kids nationwide, and to support the Healthy Apps program
at USDA.

Some questions you might be wondering:

Q: What about non-US chapters? Isn't the IGDA supposed to be international?
A: Non-US chapters are welcome to participate. However, we cannot
offer funding outside the US, as a requirement of the RWJF grant.
RWJF's charter prohibits funding outside the U.S. but all our partners
and supporters are more then happy to see international participation.

Q: What would I have to provide if I wanted my chapter to participate?
A: At a minimum, you would need to provide physical space and internet
access throughout the weekend, as well as having food available for
the participants. Ideally, you could also provide some or all of the
following: computers with game development software in case some
participants need them; food that is actually healthy (we think it's a
bit ironic if you're making games to promote children's health while
ingesting pizza and caffeine yourself - we will send out a memo with
ideas for healthy food for each Jam, but think first about
substituting water for soda and other high calorie soft drinks); 24/7
access with separate areas for participants to sleep.

Q: Sounds great to me. How do I sign up?
A: Send an email to me (ai864 at yahoo.com) stating your interest. Give
me your name and the location of your Chapter. If you want funds to
cover expenses, let me know how much you're requesting and for what -
just give a proposed itemized budget.

Q: I have a question not answered here.
A: Send me an email (ai864 at yahoo.com) and I'll get you an answer.

Thanks,

- Ian Schreiber, Columbus Chapter, Game Jam Organizer

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-- 
Andrea Phillips
http://www.aaphillips.com
Twitter: @andrhia * Skype: Andrhia
Words * Culture * Interaction