Game On: A Candid Look at Women in Games & How to Get Started

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Game On: A Candid Look at Women in Games & How to Get Started
We’re back with another great evening!

Ever wondered what it’s really like to work in the games industry as a woman? This candid, welcoming session will explore the realities, challenges, and creative wins of women across all areas of game development, from design and storytelling to production and play.

We’ll also demystify the tech side of games, showing how coding and game engines can be powerful creative tools for anyone, even if you’re just starting out.

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What You’ll Learn

• The Realities of Women in Games: Honest stories about identity, resilience, and creativity, from indie games to AAA studios.
• Coding as Creative Power: See how simple tools like Unity, Godot, and Twine allow you to bring characters and stories to life with just a few lines of code—no advanced experience needed.
• Tips for Inclusive Game Spaces: Learn practical ways to support women and marginalized folks in your projects and workplaces.
• How to Get Started: Free resources and first steps if you’re curious about building your own games, interactive stories, or prototypes.

🧑‍💻 No laptop required. No prior AI experience needed.
🥤 Light refreshments provided.

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Speaker
Dr. Michelle Chen - Founder/ Game Developer - Mental Jam

About the presenter:
Michelle Chen is a game developer, researcher, and Women in Games Ambassador who has been making games for over 15 years. She creates cozy, story-driven games that explore mental health in gentle and meaningful ways, like her latest project, Bobarista, set in a magical boba shop.

Through her initiative, Mental Jam, Michelle runs workshops with people who’ve lived through mental health struggles, turning real stories into playable experiences. She’s also got a PhD in Design, and loves talking about co-creation, care, and making space for voices that often get left out.

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📅 Date: Thursday, 31 July
🕠 Time: 6:00–8:00 pm
📍 Location: BuildPass, Level 2/33 Stewart St, Richmond - right next to the train station, above Hector's Bakery

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