About the Project
Topic
Building Bridges
Mentors
Prof. Dr. Sonia Fizek
Digital games and media theorist, Professor of Media & Game Studies at the Cologne Game Lab, TH Köln. Her research focuses on the intersections of game studies, media theory, digital cultures, and environmental humanities.
Mala Sen
Award-winning game designer and creator ofA Palace on the Hill(Niku Games Studio). She is recognised for her work in art direction and socially engaged game design.
Dr. Souvik Mukherjee
Associate Professor in Cultural Studies at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta, and one of India's pioneering Game Studies researchers. His work focuses on videogames and storytelling, videogames as colonial and postcolonial media, and gaming cultures in the Indian subcontinent.
Schedule at a Glance
Selection of project proposals by an international jury
12 February: Training and expert sessions on storytelling, gameplay dynamics, world-building, and character development
13 February: Game Development Session (9:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
14 February: Game Development Session (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM), followed by project pitches and showcase presentations
Selected game projects will receive six months of further development support, including two mentored sessions per month
October: Final showcase of completed projects
Through interdisciplinary exchange and expert guidance, participants will develop innovative game concepts while building professional networks across the gaming and creative industries.
Meet Our Girl Gamers
Abhista Goswami & Driptaa Sen
Abhista Goswami works as a Research Assistant at IIT Jodhpur after completing her studies at Presidency University. Driptaa Sen is a freelance artist and holds a Master's degree from St. Xavier's University. Both are based in Kolkata and have previously collaborated on game projects.
Atreyee Sen
Atreyee Sen holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English and works as an Entertainment Sub-Editor. Her interests include popular culture, film, and video games. As an independent researcher, she explores psychoanalysis, film studies, and game studies. Her academic work has been presented at international conferences and universities, including Purdue University and the Manchester Game Centre. She has recently researched independent games and developed a game project as part of the course Games and Cultures at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences.
Prachi Singh
Prachi Singh works across the fields of art, education, and community engagement. She writes occasionally, enjoys texts that challenge conventional forms of storytelling, and is fascinated by discovering the unknown. Through Girl Gamers, she continues to explore new creative possibilities and expand her practice.
Roopkatha Biswas
Roopkatha Biswas is an independent game developer and student from Kolkata. Developed within the Goethe-Institut Kolkata Girl Gamers Initiative, her work explores themes such as academic pressure, neurodivergence, and adolescent mental health through humour and interactive storytelling.
Shrijita Banerjee
Shrijita Banerjee is a game designer and developer who enjoys creating games that inspire connection, creativity, and memorable shared experiences. She values being part of the Girl Gamers project and contributing to a growing community of women in game development.
Srikripa Krishnan
Srikripa Krishnan is a game developer and artist based in Bengaluru. A passionate storyteller and game enthusiast, she creates fantasy narratives rooted in the everyday realities of urban life. Through her work, she explores themes of identity, safety, and resilience while creating experiences that invite reflection, empathy, and humour.
Team RISE
Natasha Gomes
Website: gomesnatasha.in
Ajita Deshmukh
Website: ajitadeshmukh.wordpress.com
Shusha Oliveira
Website: shushaoliveira.com
