The Games for Change Student Challenge Enters a New Era of Global Impact
For the past decade, the Games for Change Student Challenge has empowered young creators to design games that address real-world challenges impacting their communities. Now, with the power of Endless, we’re ready to extend our reach even further, transforming the Student Challenge into the world’s largest international game design competition for young creators ages 10 - 25.
The Student Challenge has engaged over 55,000 students and 1,100 educators worldwide, generating thousands of student-created games that tackle pressing social issues. Our expansion to 46 countries and 232 cities demonstrates the universal appeal of game design as a tool for social change.
The 2024-25 Challenge includes three powerful themes aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Peaceformers, supported by the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, explores equitable resource sharing and conflict resolution through game design. In partnership with Earthwatch Europe, Nurture Yourself with Nature addresses eco-anxiety through environmental connection. The Outplay Hunger theme, developed with World Food Program USA and featuring teaching resources from Take Action Global (TAG), engages students in creating games that tackle food security and sustainability. These partnerships allow students access to subject matter experts as they make their games.
New 2025 Opportunities
Expanding to University-Age Students
For the first time, we’re welcoming young creators aged 18 - 25 to join our global community of game designers. The expansion opens new doors for university students to hone their skills through dedicated events and mentorship. With access to professional development tools and industry expertise, university participants can gain hands-on experience while building their portfolios. This new category creates a natural pathway from game design experience to potential career opportunities in the gaming industry.
Enhanced Resources & Support
Our collection of comprehensive platform guides is expanding to include guides for platforms like Godot, MakeCode, Endstar, and Unreal Editor for Fortnite. These resources complement our existing materials, ensuring young creators can choose the best tool for their vision.
In addition to platform guides, we're expanding our Level Up webinar series. This series connects young creators with industry professionals who can share insights about career pathways in gaming. These sessions provide valuable networking opportunities and real-world perspectives on the gaming industry's diverse career possibilities.
New Tools for Game Development and Testing
A key feature of this partnership is a new collaborative testing platform powered by Endless. This introduces students to professional game development practices while encouraging peer learning and community building. Through dedicated workshops, students will explore the importance of playtesting while educators receive curriculum resources to integrate these practices into their teaching. The platform provides tools and frameworks that enable young people to gather and apply feedback, preparing them for real-world game development scenarios.
Expanding Through Strategic Partnerships
Our new collaboration with Global Game Jam creates an exciting pathway for university students to develop their games. Starting with the Global Game Jam in January 2025, participants aged 18 - 25 can create games using G4C themes and continue developing them through April with expert mentorship, resources, and feedback. They will also run 50 game jams internationally for young creators aged 10-18, increasing the program's global reach.
“We're thrilled to be supporting the Games for Change Student Challenge. This partnership represents a unique opportunity for student game makers to showcase their game design and development skills and be part of a global community where collaborative playtesting can spark new ways of making and learning.”
— Stephanie, Head of Philanthropy at Endless
Get Involved
Check out our competition handbooks for middle/high school and university students to begin their journey as game designers.
Transform your classroom into a creative hub with our educator Game Jam guides for video and tabletop games.
Bring game design into your teaching with our ‘Intro to Game Design’ curriculum that empowers students to tackle real-world challenges through hands-on learning.
Visit the Student Challenge website to learn more about the program, competition, and how
to get involved!