E5S10: Video Games, Tech and Impact with Lual Mayen

In Episode 5, Season 10, Lual Mayen shares his unique journey working at the intersection of tech, gaming, migration, peacebuilding and impact. 

From building his skills as a coder and developer in resource constrained environments to becoming a video games and tech expert using his skills to facilitate learning, connections and behavioral change.

Lual talked about the key trends in gaming for change, the skills and networks needed to thrive in the sector and where he sees the growth in the next decade.

He also explored some of the challenges in the games for change industry regarding the potential tension between impact and profit, how to secure funding and distribution and also how there needs to be much greater inclusion of designers and gamers from the rest of the world. 

BIO

Lual Mayen is a South Sudanese video game developer and founder of Junub games.

His parents had to flee South Sudan to Northern Uganda to find a place of refuge.

Born in South Sudan and raised in the Refugee camp, Northern Uganda.

Passionate about creating games to help promote peace.

Currently a Visiting Scholar In-Residence at American University.

Recognized at the Game Awards as the Global Gaming Citizen by Facebook Gaming and The Game Awards for using games to bring about positive impact.

The awards bring together a diverse group of game players, game developers, and notable names from the popular culture to celebrate and advance gaming’s positions as the most immersive, challenging and inspiring form of entertainment. The Game Awards viewership more than doubled in 2018 with over 27.5 million live streams

He is currently building a VR experience that focuses on the idea that an individual’s behaviors, and decisions; before picking up the gun; are the most powerful. The game shows that even small behaviors and choices can have devastating and far-reaching consequences. The game helps the player to practice and experiences how to avoid the path of war and violence in resolving the conflict.

 

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