Games for Change, in partnership with Tencent Games, announced the launch of a new programme that builds on the Raising Good Gamers initiative, designed to help families engage more confidently with the role video games play in young people's lives. The Raising Good Gamers partnership brings together industry, researchers, and nonprofit experts to advance a growing movement around positive play in video games. One of the first outputs is a new white paper, 'Raising Good Gamers: What Families Need to Know About Video Games and Well-Being,' authored by Games for Change Research Director, Dr Rachel Kowert.
Drawing on new global research across 15 countries including the Middle East and seven languages, alongside a review of existing studies and interviews with parents and game developers, the paper provides evidence to support more informed and balanced conversations among families, educators, policymakers and industry. Building on this research, Raising Good Gamers will deliver practical, accessible, family-facing tools and resources to schools and community youth organizations to support parents in engaging with video gaming more confidently and constructively. Developed by Games for Change Chief Programme Officer Arana Shapiro, the materials - including workshops, conversation guides - are designed to help parents engage with video gaming alongside their children and support healthy gameplay.
This includes grounding discussions about positive play in everyday practice, from respectful behaviour and communication to community participation and shared values. Following a successful pilot workshop in the US in March, the roll-out of the programme is planned for the US and UK in September, with the ambition of broadening internationally covering the Middle East next year as part of a sustainable movement to help change the culture of video gaming for everyone. The themes explored as part of the partnership are also reflected in a new episode of the Good Game Club podcast which will be released on 16 April 2026 at 8am BST, featuring Susanna Pollack, President of Games for Change, and Danny Marti, Head of Public Affairs at Tencent.
Hosted by Jude Ower MBE and Mathias Nørvig, CEO, SYBO the episode explores the partnership and the case for more informed conversations around video games and healthy play. Tencent Games is a sponsor of the Games for Change Festival, taking place on 21-22 July 2026 in New York City, where the full findings of the Raising Good Gamers white paper will be unveiled. The research will be presented through a keynote address and a panel discussion bringing families, industry, and policymakers together to advance more informed, evidence-based dialogue around video games and positive play.
