Brock University Assistant Professor Sarah Stang is on a mission to make video games accessible for everyone, especially mothers.<\/p>\n
A gamer, game scholar and mother herself, Stang is organizing an innovative two-day workshop aiming to break through barriers that might prevent mothers from exploring their love for \u2014 or curiosity about \u2014 video games.<\/p>\n
Hosted by Brock\u2019s Department of Digital Humanities, the Mother of All Game Jams will take place Saturday, Feb. 24 and Sunday, Feb. 25 in the Rankin Family Pavilion at the University\u2019s main campus.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not often game jams \u2014 where participants try to make video games from scratch \u2014 carry the theme of motherhood and maternal identity, as mothers are often ignored by the video game industry, Stang said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrent research across Canada, the U.S. and U.K. exploring how many moms play video games shows that the average age of a gamer is 34, and that\u2019s split 50\/50 between men and women,\u201d she said. \u201cThis surprises a lot of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
To help mothers participate in the event, Stang felt strongly about offering free child care on site for both facilitators and attendees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe game industry is not designed to be accessible for mothers, so offering free child care so moms can focus on their skills development is one way we are working to change the norm,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Incorporating themes of feminism and maternal identity, Stang said the event will be facilitated in a way that is inclusive, collaborative and accessible for beginners and is open to anyone curious about how to make a game or exploring a unique theme through interactive media.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis game jam is all about praxis, combining theory and practice to create a supportive and fun environment where participants not only feel comfortable, but encouraged, to try new things,\u201d Stang said.<\/p>\n
The game jam is presented in collaboration with Brock Library\u2019s Makerspace, where participants can also make traditional non-digital games, such as board or card games using 3D printing and laser cutting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very open to people coming with no experience in making any kind of game,\u201d Stang said. \u201cIf you want to try, we will hold your hand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone is welcome to attend the workshops. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be a mother and you don\u2019t have to be a woman. You might identify as a trans-mother or queer-mother, or even just feel connected to maternal identity through care work. Or maybe you\u2019re just generally interested in the topic,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The game jam will culminate in a series of showcases at the Brock Library and a public event on Mother\u2019s Day weekend at the St. Catharines Public Library where workshop participants will be invited to share their experiences with the community.<\/p>\n