Video game champions from different backgrounds gathered to celebrate the Game Generation and Power of Play—a groundbreaking event highlighting the rich and positive impact of video games. Presented by the Entertainment Software Association and the International Game Developers Association, the Washington Post Live program featured panels exploring game applications, accessibility, the growing influence of esports, and more.
The evening opened with a conversation about using Video Games for Good, moderated by Gene Park—a reporter for the Washington Post’s new video game section “Launcher”. Speakers included Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., Lual Mayen of Junub Games, Anita Sarkeesian of Feminist Frequency, and Ryan Green, creator of “That Dragon, Cancer.”
“Lots of people are coming together—not just a smaller group, but from across the country (and) also around the world,” Rep. DelBene said.
Other speakers throughout the night included ESA President & CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis; Renee Gittins, Executive Director of IGDA; Susanna Pollack, President of Games for Change; Steven Spohn, COO of AbleGamers; Zach Leonsis, SVP and General Manager of Monumental Sports Network; and Chris Greeley, Commissioner of the League of Legends Championship Series.
“It’s not about distance; it’s about closeness…you and I can be a country apart but we can still be extremely close and form a friendship that will last for decades by playing together in virtual worlds,” Steven Spohn of AbleGamers told the crowd during his interview on accessibility and video games.
In addition, the event reception featured an arcade of educational and social impact games provided by Games for Change. Attendees were able to experience first-hand That Dragon, Cancer; Walden, A Game; and even the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
If you weren’t able to attend the live event, you can access the programming in full here.
