When she got back, Munanga started a master’s degree program in digital media studies at the University of Denver, which has a research agenda built around humane games, with a focus on games for change, education and help. She had no idea how to create a game or what the game design process entailed, but she had a clear idea of what she wanted to accomplish: She wanted to provide educational technology — games — to help people new to America learn more about their new country.
“I knew that refugees and immigrants would do better in the U.S.,” she said, “if they could acculturate faster.”
Rafael Fajardo teaches game design at the University of Denver and was assigned as Munanga’s adviser. “She chose to do this kind of project here because we have created an environment where this kind of project gets a hearing,” he said. “I was primarily her go-to person for this project.”
Fajardo has specialized in creating socially conscious video games since 2000. The aims of the program are to explore, experiment and make video games that are helpful in society.
“Theresa’s project was harmonizing with that aim,” Fajardo said. “We were happy to work with her and help her out.” (via Making a game out of learning to be American | Mosaic)