EXPLORING THE HIDDEN POWER OF GAMES

Can gaming become one of the most powerful tools for preparing people for the future of work? In this episode of the Good Game Club Podcast, we speak with David Barrie, Founder & CEO of Game Academy, about how games develop real-world skills, why gamers are uniquely positioned for the future economy, and how gaming communities can unlock opportunities for education, employment and social mobility. From AI and neurodiversity to urban regeneration and community building, David shares why games are far more than entertainment - they're engines for human potential. Studio leaders who want to champion today’s players as tomorrow’s talent, get in touch - david@gameacademy.co 00:00 – Welcome to the Good Game Club Introducing David Barrie and why Game Academy perfectly aligns with the mission of healthy gaming. 01:30 – What is Game Academy? How Game Academy helps gamers turn their passion into careers through government-backed education and employability programmes. 02:45 – Why Gamers Are Ready for the Future of Work The origins of Game Academy and why gaming naturally develops many of tomorrow's most valuable skills. 05:45 – From Documentary Filmmaker to Community Builder David's unconventional career journey and how experiences in journalism, filmmaking and urban regeneration shaped his thinking. 08:00 – Lessons from Liberia: The Power of Community How witnessing self-organisation inside a Liberian prison fundamentally changed David's understanding of community. 11:00 – Gaming Communities as Learning Communities Why gamers naturally collaborate, teach one another and solve problems together. 18:30 – What 50,000 Players Revealed The research connecting game preferences with career paths, from Football Manager to cybersecurity and management. 22:00 – Should Games Become Part of Education? Why David believes commercial games belong inside future curricula alongside traditional teaching. 26:30 – Healthy Gaming vs. Isolation Balancing gaming's incredible benefits with the importance of maintaining healthy relationships outside the game. 31:00 – Neurodiversity and Unlocking Talent How Game Academy supports neurodivergent learners and why gaming offers alternative pathways into employment. 35:00 – Why Gamers Are on the Right Side of History The rise of digital work, AI and why gamers already possess many of tomorrow's most valuable capabilities. 44:00 – AI, Creativity and the Future of Games The opportunities and concerns surrounding generative AI, storytelling and game development. 47:00 – A Call to Parents, Studios and Employers Why we should "cut gamers some slack" and build deeper relationships with gaming communities. 50:00 – Mapping Games to Careers How Game Academy is working with major employers to connect game genres with professional skills. 52:20 – Architects of Culture David's advice for the games industry and why developers should see themselves as builders of the future. 54:30 – The Golden Thread Question "What skills in your personal and professional life were born in games?"

In this episode of the Good Game Club Podcast, we sit down with Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games Group, to explore how Saudi Arabia is reshaping the future of gaming through Vision 2030. Drawing on three decades of leadership across Electronic Arts, Xbox, Activision and now Savvy, Brian shares insights into building one of the world's most ambitious gaming ecosystems, the rise of esports, the power of gaming communities, and why games are becoming one of the most important platforms for education, economic development and social impact. From Play-to-Learn programmes reaching hundreds of thousands of students to the future of responsible leadership in gaming, this conversation offers a fascinating perspective on where the industry is heading. 00:00 – Welcome & Introducing Brian Ward Brian's background across EA, Xbox, Activision and his move to Savvy Games Group. 01:26 – Vision 2030 & Building Saudi Arabia's Gaming Ecosystem How Savvy fits into Saudi Arabia's national transformation strategy and its ambition to become a global gaming hub. 03:50 – Why Savvy Invested in Esports First The acquisition of ESL FACEIT Group and the role esports plays in building community and engagement. 05:20 – The Rise of Community-Driven Games What Monopoly GO! and live-service games reveal about player behaviour, friendships and long-term engagement. 07:49 – Why Humans Need Play Gaming as a fundamental part of learning, social development and human connection. 10:28 – Demystifying Esports Why professional gaming requires elite skill, and what esports can learn from Formula 1's storytelling. 14:56 – Creating Gaming's Next Generation of Celebrities Why esports players deserve the same recognition as athletes and entertainers. 17:11 – Female Esports Growth in Saudi Arabia Why Saudi Arabia now has one of the highest rates of female professional esports participation. 19:35 – What Parents & Policymakers Need to Understand About Gaming Why modern gaming is fundamentally social, educational and increasingly career-focused. 22:12 – Play to Learn: 700,000 Students Sign Up How game design education is inspiring the next generation of STEM talent. 24:00 – Supporting Indie Developers & The Role of AI Why independent studios remain vital and how AI may help democratise game development. 26:20 – Responsible Leadership in Gaming Building healthy ecosystems, empowering studios and creating long-term industry impact. 30:00 – Games as Career Development How gaming develops transferable skills and why ecosystem-building is Brian's lasting legacy. 33:06 – Favourite Games & Lessons from Space Invaders From Need for Speed to TriPeaks Solitaire—and late-night arcade sessions that lasted until sunrise. 36:06 – The Meaning of Life... Through Games Brian's question for the next Good Game Club guest and reflections on the future of gaming in the Middle East.

In this episode of the Good Game Club Podcast, journalist, consultant, and Power Play author George Osborn explores the growing intersection between video games, politics, policy, and society. Drawing on his experience advising governments, regulators, and NGOs, George explains why games should no longer be viewed simply as entertainment products but as powerful digital communities, cultural spaces, and communication networks. The conversation covers everything from government engagement with games and election polling through in-game advertising to digital third spaces, online influence, and how the games industry can better protect play for future generations. Power Play is published by Wildfire on the 18th June in hardback, ebook and audio. Copies are available in all bookshops and online retailers. 00:00 – Protecting Play in a Political World Why the games industry must become more assertive in defending the positive value of play. 00:51 – Meet George Osborn & Introducing Power Play George shares his background in games journalism, policy, and consulting, and introduces the central theme of his book. 02:20 – When Governments Started Seeing Games Differently How the pandemic accelerated government interest in games as communication channels. 03:10 – The Ukraine War and a Defining Moment The request that convinced George games had become part of the geopolitical information landscape. 04:20 – Why Some Governments Understand Games Better Than Others Comparing attitudes in Western democracies with countries such as Saudi Arabia. 08:33 – How Games Became a Global Communication Force The four major developments that transformed games from products into social ecosystems. 11:12 – Climate Change, UNDP and Reaching Invisible Audiences How games enabled policymakers to hear from communities that traditional channels could not reach. 13:01 – The 2024 US Election and In-Game Polling Why one polling firm successfully predicted the election by reaching voters through mobile games. 15:44 – Bellingcat, World of Warcraft and Community Intelligence How gaming community management principles helped build one of the world's most influential investigative networks. 17:22 – Influence Operations, Streamers and State Actors Examining how gaming communities can be leveraged for political influence and propaganda. 23:42 – Global Attitudes Towards Games and Regulation How different regions approach gaming culture, regulation, and national strategy. 31:00 – When Politics Uses Gaming Culture The challenges of political entities using gaming memes, imagery, and community language. 34:01 – Games as Digital Third Spaces Why games function as modern social environments and what sociology can teach us about their importance. 37:29 – Building Healthier Gaming Communities Lessons from football culture, community safety, and designing welcoming digital spaces. 42:16 – Football Manager, Cultural Impact & Final Takeaways George reflects on his favourite game and shares advice for people who still underestimate the importance of games. Key Data Points & External References 1. Fortnite Humanitarian Fundraising George notes that Epic Games' Fortnite fundraising campaign for humanitarian relief generated more support than some nation-state contributions. Reference: Epic Games and Direct Relief fundraising campaign (2022), which raised over $144 million for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. 2. 2024 US Election Polling Through Games Polling firm J.L. Partners reportedly used in-game advertising to reach underrepresented voter groups and correctly forecast Trump's Electoral College outcome. Reference: J.L. Partners election polling methodology and post-election analysis. 3. Saudi Arabia's National Gaming Strategy

The latest episode of the Good Game Club Podcast dives into the power of gaming ecosystems, accessibility, and community impact with Berkley Egenes from Xsolla. Recorded during London Games Festival, the conversation explores how the games industry can create opportunities far beyond entertainment - from helping indie developers access global funding to supporting inclusive gaming through partnerships with organisations like SpecialEffect. Berkley shares how gaming connects people across borders, generations, and abilities, and why the future of the industry depends on doing more good together. Xsolla Developer Scholarship Program - Cologne 2026 is an initiative designed to support independent and mid-tier game developers who face financial barriers to attending gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany. To find out more, visit: https://events.xsolla.com/xsolladeveloperscholarshipcologne Find out more about the work that Xsolla does here: https://xsolla.com Further information can be found below: https://xsolla.com/funding https://xsolla.com/blog/xsolla-stevenage-fc-specialeffect-charity-campaign https://xsolla.com/newsroom/xsolla-brings-accessibility-social-impact-and-entertainment-ip-licensing-with-xsolla-agency-to-london-games-festival-2026 00:00 – Welcome Back from London Games Festival Reflections on London Games Festival, live podcasting, and Games for Change arriving in London. 01:08 – Introducing Berkley Egenes & Xsolla How Xsolla supports developers through funding, monetisation, distribution, and payments across 200+ regions. 03:15 – “All the Things” — Xsolla’s New Vision The meaning behind Xsolla’s new tagline and how they simplify the business side of games for creators. 04:34 – Gaming Is for Everyone Why accessibility, inclusivity, and breaking barriers are core to Xsolla’s mission. 06:13 – Partnering with SpecialEffect & Stevenage FC How a football sponsorship evolved into a powerful accessibility initiative supporting adaptive gaming controllers. 10:59 – Meeting Rodney & the Emotional Impact of Accessible Gaming The story behind the campaign shoot and how adaptive controllers change lives through play. 12:48 – Gaming as a Social Connector Why gaming is far from antisocial — and how games build friendships, relationships, and communities worldwide. 15:02 – The Ripple Effect of Gaming for Good How partnerships like SpecialEffect inspire employees, strengthen culture, and create global community impact. 19:49 – Supporting Developers Beyond Funding Inside Xsolla Funding Club and how developers are connected with investors, publishers, and growth opportunities. 22:32 – Bringing 45 Developers to GDC The scholarship initiative that helped indie studios from around the world attend GDC and connect with investors. 25:48 – Why Ecosystems Matter More Than Competition How developers collaborate, share opportunities, and support one another rather than compete. 29:31 – Why Gaming for Good Must Become the Industry Standard The importance of diversity, representation, and creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds. 32:52 – The Next 5–10 Years of Gaming Why the future of games will be more global, hyper-local, mobile-first, and policy-driven. 36:08 – Industry Layoffs, Reinvention & New Studios How post-pandemic restructuring may create opportunities for new creative studios and indie innovation. 38:38 – Favourite Games & Personal Impact Why Mario Kart and Minecraft hold special meaning through family connection, creativity, and learning. 42:05 – The Golden Thread Question What music track would belong in the next great game experience?