Game Changers - Girls in Gaming

Three weeks full of innovation, teamwork, and creativity: From July 20 to August 9, 2025, the “Game Changers Summer School” took place at the Dialogue Point in Amman. It is part of the regional project “Game Changers – Girls in Gaming,” implemented by the Goethe-Institut together with local partners in the MENA region in 2025.
Fifteen participants aged 14 to 17 immersed themselves in the world of game development and game design – guided by dedicated mentors and industry experts.

A Practice-Oriented Program

The Summer School offered an intensive learning environment that promoted both technical and creative skills. Over three themed weeks, participants learned the fundamentals of game development, design, and storytelling, and applied their own ideas in practice.

• Introduction to game development with Microsoft Education and Roblox
• Discussions on diversity and inclusion in games
• Deepening creative processes – from character design and storytelling to the creation of unique game worlds
• Preparation and implementation of the Final Showcase, where teams presented their prototypes to a professional jury

Final Event and Winners

The highlight of the Summer School was the final presentation, where four teams showcased their games to guests from the gaming industry, ministries, NGOs, as well as their families, friends, and a professional jury. The jury consisted of:
Nour Khrais, Founder & CEO, Maysalward
Mustafa Dabaibeh, CEO, Dimensions
Dania Alsaid, MSc, Lecturer and Program Coordinator for Game Design & Development at GJU

The PowerUp Girls team was honored as the winner for their outstanding creativity and impressive presentation.
The partner of the showcase event was the Jordan Gaming Lab, which continues to support the winners beyond the event. Founded in 2011 under the patronage of King Abdullah II, the Lab fosters young talent in game development through mentoring, workshops, and technical assistance. In the coming weeks, the Lab will support the young developers in transforming their prototype into a complete game.
 

Skills for the Future

The Girls in Gaming Summer School impressively demonstrated how young women can gain confidence and develop both technical and creative abilities through hands-on learning. Participants not only learned to design and implement their own game ideas, but also to work collaboratively, solve problems, and present their projects convincingly.
This program makes a valuable contribution to promoting diversity and representation in the technology and creative industries.

Experts and Mentors

The Summer School was guided by Tawfeeq Al Najjar, lecturer at the American University of Madaba, and Yara Al-Qadi, founder of KufiTech. Both bring extensive experience in game development and are deeply committed to supporting young talent and advancing gender equality in the tech sector.

Conclusion

The Girls in Gaming Summer School 2025 was more than just a workshop – it was an inspiring example of how education, technology, and creativity can come together to empower young women and open new professional horizons for them.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to all contributors, partners, and especially the participants, who, with their curiosity, commitment, and enthusiasm, showed that the next generation of female game developers is ready to actively shape the future of the industry.

After the Summer School Comes the Game Jam

Following the Summer Schools, local workshops, and coaching sessions, a hybrid Game Jam at the end of November marks the project’s grand finale. Participants from Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, and Morocco will come together over a weekend to develop their first game ideas in international teams. The goal is to foster creativity, enable collaboration, and put into practice the skills acquired throughout the program.