Game Changers

Eine Illustration zeigt eine junge Frau, die einen leuchtenden, geometrischen Game‑Controller gestaltet. Im Hintergrund ist eine stilisierte Stadt vor einem farbigen, futuristischen Himmel zu sehen. Das Bild steht für Kreativität, Game Design und technisches Empowerment junger Frauen. © Goethe-Institut Irak

How Girls and Women Are Shaping the Future of Game Design

With the Game Changers programme, a creative space was created in 2025 in which girls and young women in Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan took their first steps in game development. The initiative opened up new technical perspectives and created safe learning environments where creativity, self-confidence, and teamwork could grow.
The outcomes range from playable prototypes to long-term personal and professional development impulses.

Cairo

Six Weeks of Learning, Creativity, and Self-Confidence

Concept

Nine girls aged 14 to 17 participated in the six-week program in Cairo, most of them from public schools. Several participants traveled from other governorates every weekend to attend the sessions— a clear indication of their high level of motivation.

Learning Process in Four Phases

The practice-oriented curriculum guided participants step by step from initial idea to a finished prototype:

Game Design Fundamentals & Design Thinking - Analysis of game mechanics and development of original concepts with a social focus
Visual Design & Mechanics - Character design, environments, and initial hands-on work with Unity
Digital Development & Programming - Fundamentals of C#, GitHub workflows, and AI-supported optimization
Testing & Presentation - Playtesting, narrative refinement, and presentation skills training

Closing ceremony mit den Jurymitgliedern mit Dr. George Nager Naguib Morcos und Ahmed Najeeb | © Mina Nageh

Digitale Entwicklung & Programmierung– Grundlagen von C#, GitHub‑Workflows und KI‑gestützte Optimierung Aya Khaled Eissa und Merna Tarek Rashed Noor Eld | © Mina Nageh

Einführung in Game-Design-Grundlagen & DesignThinking mit Liza Ghabrial | © Goethe-Institut Kairo

Game-Design-Grundlagen & Design Thinking mit Mohamed Farouk | © Mina Nageh

Testing & Präsentation– Playtests, Story-Feinschliff und Präsentationstraining mit Mohamed Farouk, Aya Khaled und Merna Tarek | © Mina Nageh

Visuelles Design & Mechaniken– Charakterdesign, Umgebungen und erste Arbeit mit Unity mit Reham Hesham und Aya Khaled Eissa | © Mina Nageh

Results

During the Game Showcase Day, participants presented their games to families, teachers, as well as an academic and a commercial jury. In total, five playable games were developed. All participants received certificates and learning materials, while the winning team was additionally awarded an iPad. The jury praised the projects as being “comparable to bachelor’s level work.”

I never thought I could develop my own game — now I’m proud of myself.

Quote from a participant

Erbil

In Erbil, seven female students from the German School Erbil, aged 14 to 16, took part in a four-day intensive workshop. The focus was on a fully hands-on introduction to game design and game development.

Content

Fundamentals of game design
First coding experiences
Pixel art with Resprite
Unity basics

Outcomes
All participants developed their own pixel art characters, which were integrated into a shared game.
The school actively supported the programme, including by releasing students from regular classes for one workshop day.

The energy was incredible, and I learned so many new things.

Sarin, 14

Game Jam Iraq: Collaboration and Creative Intensity

During the subsequent Game Jam in Erbil, the workshop participants met with other girls from different regions of Iraq. Within just a few days, creative interpretations of the theme ON/OFF emerged—both digital and analogue.
Different levels of prior experience, the tight timeframe, and the abstract theme posed challenges, but ultimately led to innovative solutions and a strong sense of team spirit.

I started out alone, with no prior experience – and in the end, I submitted my own game and won second place.

Farah, 27

Amman

Game Design, Cultural Representation, and Future Perspectives

In Jordan, 18 young women from the MENA region took part in an intensive game design programme in Amman. The focus was on connecting technology, creativity, and cultural identity.

Content & Format

The workshop combined game design fundamentals, Unreal Engine basics, design thinking, pitch training, as well as prototyping, testing, and showcasing. A particular focus was placed on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and the intentional integration of Arab and Jordanian perspectives into games.

Outcomes

Development of four unique games
Two games specifically highlighted Arab women and Jordanian culture
A public game showcase with representatives from the Ministry of Education (MoE), MODEE, NGOs, schools, gaming companies, and parents
The winning team presented an innovative tourism gaming model aimed at strengthening Jordan’s tourism sector
Parents and guests were highly impressed by the participants’ talent and expressed interest in future workshops.

Now I want to develop my game all the way to the final level.