Inventive partnership signals new momentum behind concept of games as social change agent

NEW YORK CITY – June 11, 2007– Microsoft and Games for Change (G4C) announced today a joint commitment to explore new ways to bring together the world of digital gaming with the world of social change at the 4th annual Games for Change Festival at Parsons The New School for Design.

As part of this announcement, Microsoft outlined an all-new socially minded global gaming competition, “Xbox 360 Games for Change Challenge,” to drive awareness for games based on social themes. This worldwide competition, set to launch in August in more than 100 countries, will challenge college students to come up with the best game based on the theme of global warming. Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing for Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, made the announcement following an introduction from Bob Kerrey, president of The New School and former Nebraska senator.

Microsoft and Games for Change will award three cash prizes to the best team or individual entry. In addition to the prize money that can be applied to their education, the top three winners will have an opportunity to present their entries to the Xbox games management team at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The top three winning games will be considered for possible inclusion as a download in the popular Xbox LIVE Arcade service that reaches more than 6 million people worldwide. Finally, the first place team or individual will also win the opportunity to become an apprentice at Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business as part of its internship program.

The students will develop games based on global warming using Microsoft’s XNA Game Studio Express software. Launched in December of 2006, XNA Game Studio Express has democratized game development by leveling the playing field for smaller game developers, non-professionals and academia who wish to be involved in driving innovation and creativity into the game design process.

The current generation of gamers is among the most socially conscious in history,” said Suzanne Seggerman, co-founder and president of Games for Change. “We know from experience that young people are looking for ways to help make the world a better place, and who better to support this effort than an industry leader like Microsoft.”

The Games for Change Festival is part intellectual symposium, part game emporium. Now in its fourth year, the Festival brings together academics, game creators, nonprofit representatives, business executives and activists to discuss the impact of games on our culture and evaluate the potential for a new genre of socially minded video games. Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to experience some of the best, new socially minded games in person at the 2007 Games for Change Expo an evening reception where festival-goers can play games, meet each other, and enjoy food and drink in a lively and informal atmosphere.

“Microsoft is very happy to work with Games for Change in taking video gaming to a whole new level by bringing in brand new concepts and people to the game-making process,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing, Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business. “We are passionate about the potential games have in expanding horizons, creating networks and helping design real-world solutions.”

For information on “Xbox 360 Games for Change Challenge” visit: (www.xbox.com/g4c: note this is under construction).

For information on XNA visit: http://creators.xna.com

Games for Change provides support, visibility and shared resources to individuals and organizations using digital games for social change, with special assistance to non-profits and foundations entering the field. For more information, visit http://www.gamesforchange.org.

About Xbox 360

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About Microsoft
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