CivicTechWR Hacknight #77: Civic Story with Jordan Sparks

Join our weekly meeting where we tackle civic issues using technology and design! All skill levels and backgrounds are welcome.

Tonight we're welcoming guest speaker Jordan Sparks, creator of Civic Story.

Jordan Sparks is a Black Multimedia Artist, Designer, and Educator born and based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that uses art and digital experiences to explore how media can entertain and inspire social change. Jordan is very active in the games community, helps many new indie studios around the world, and has taught games and digital skills to over 15,000 people. He is the founder of Shining Spark Entertainment, a Canadian studio dedicated to creating ‘multimedia for social change’.

Civic Story is a groundbreaking 3D Visual Novel by Shining Spark Entertainment where Players play as a citizen thrust into a sudden federal election season.

Throughout its interactive and extensively researched 8-Chapter Story, Players will experience how the election climate, charismatic politicians, and various politics socially affect us all through its comedic story full of colourful and quirky characters.

Try this relatable, comedic, and interactive new way to discover and learn Civics!

Civic Story was released for PC on Steam & Itch on July 28, 2023.

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Agenda

6:00 - 6:15pm: Welcome & introductions
Come find us in the Clubhouse (3rd floor) and make yourself comfortable as we do a round of introductions. You're welcome to bring your own food and drinks.

6:15 - 6:45pm: Guest speaker Jordan Sparks
We'll have a 20 minute presentation from Jordan about his 3D visual novel, Civic Story, followed by 10 minutes for Q&A. Afterwards, Jordan will be available for more in-depth discussions in a breakout group.

6:45 - 7:00pm: Project Pitches
Do you have a project idea? Is there a civic issue you're curious/concerned about? The floor is open to anyone who wants to pitch to the group. Tell us what you want to do and what kind of help you're looking for.

7:00 - 7:45pm: Breakout groups
Decide which project interests you and join that breakout group. As a team, you decide where to take it from there.

7:45 - 8:00pm: Progress report
We'll reconvene and give each group a chance to report back on their progress.

OPTIONAL post-hacknight hangout
If anyone is interested we can head downstairs to AOK bar & arcade to keep the conversations going (or play some games)!

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What is CivicTechWR?

CivicTechWR brings together people from different sectors and industries to actively solve issues facing our local community. We welcome people with all types and levels of skills. Even though "tech" is in the name, everyone is welcome and everyone has a skill or experience that is valuable. We're here to empower people to work together, exchange ideas and tools to improve the lives of the residents in and around Waterloo Region through civic technology.

Code of Conduct

At Civic Tech Waterloo, we are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all participants, regardless. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind, including verbal abuse, intimidation, or bias based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.

If something or someone is making you feel uncomfortable, please reach out to one of our organizers so we can address this.

Notice of Photography and Filming

Please note that photography and video filming will take place during this event for promotional and archival purposes. The photographs and recordings made are likely to appear on our social media, website, printed and online publicity, press releases or funding applications.

If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please inform one of our organizers. Otherwise, by attending this event, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction.