AMD Foundation Issues $10,000 Grant for New Gamestar Mechanic Channel

The AMD Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Institute of Play, allowing the student-focused Gamestar Mechanic platform to host a new channel dedicated to the creation of socially impactful games. The Gamestar Mechanic platform, launched in September, enables students to learn design principles and develop critical thinking skills by creating games via a web-based interface. AMD's grant supports the creation and maintenance of the AMD Changing the Game Impact Channel within Gamestar Mechanic. The new channel, now available for all Game Mechanic users in the application's Game Alley section, features monthly game design challenges tackling social issues involving health, ecology, and energy conservation. The Institute of Play notes that the Changing the Game Impact Channel targets a teenage demographic, and will reach thousands of Game Mechanic's users. "The Game Alley program and competition are specifically tailored to create successful gaming experiences for youth and to help them engage their peers on important social issues, two key objectives of the AMD Changing the Game initiative," said Allyson Peerman, president, AMD Foundation. "The program is an excellent example of 'stealth learning' in that players will absorb STEM and critical thinking skills while having fun." Alan Gershenfeld, president of Game Mechanic partner company E-Line Media, adds: "The AMD Foundation has been a real pioneer in empowering youth through game design. We are very pleased to support their mission of harnessing the power of computer and video games to engage youth in the critical issues that will affect their lives in the 21st century."