Combatting Information Manipulation through Game Jam

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a Public Diplomacy Initiative (PD) national workshop on "Unmasking Misinformation through Gaming," to be held in Abidjan, pending the availability of funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. The proposed workshop will focus on introducing existing and aspiring young game developers to the concept of designing games to combat misinformation and equipping them with the technical and narrative skill sets to create compelling interactive experiences. The program should also provide participants with nuanced background knowledge on critical issues related to misinformation that could be highlighted through a gaming medium. Proposals should seek to convene 60-70 skilled gaming industry professionals and game design students for a four-day program comprised of a two-day workshop led by American and local experts on designing games with social messages, followed by a two-day game jam during which participants form teams and conceptualize games that could address pressing misinformation issues in Côte d'Ivoire. Program proposals should also integrate a final pitching competition and budget funding that allows selected games to be developed to completion.