Power Up: Game Design Lab
The nearly year-long program, Power Up!, offers teens the opportunity to take their game from concept to demo. Working as a team of designers, programmers, and producers, they’ll create a video game demo that explores a social, community, or global issue. Collaborate and build connection and community while thinking critically about games, their production, representation, and underlying messages. Using industry-standard software, including Unity Game Engine, you will create unique video games and publish a demo for the world to enjoy.
The workshop culminates in Pixel Gallery, a game launch party and art celebraton.
Play the video game created by the 2023/2024 Power Up team:
DIG! SHOVEL! GO!
Dig! Shovel! Go! is a free arcade style game available on desktop computers. Grab your mouse and keyboard and get ready to dig through the environment and gather as much “happy money” as you can before the time runs out! Enjoy pixel-art storytelling cutscenes between each level.
This game lightheartedly explores the consequences of exploiting the planet for monetary gain. Keep an eye out for fun easter eggs as you play!
Join Power Up
Want to design or develop a video game? Power Up! is for you! Every fall, we open applications to young aspiring designers, programmers, and artists to make a video game demo with a message that makes a positive impact on the world. As a team, you’ll learn about how games are made, representation in games, and the messages they can hold, plus you’ll use industry-standard software to publish your work for the world to play.
Looking to build your design skills?
Take one of our foundational design classes! Foundational design classes are available to ages 12 – 19. Explore foundational design classes »