Get your game on with Code Breakers! This exhibition showcases the remarkable achievements of female game designers, highlighting their talents, creativity, and groundbreaking innovations that have shaped the gaming landscape.

One of the main highlights of the exhibition is the inclusion of computer stations allowing visitors of all ages to immerse themselves in the world of gaming. Inside the exhibition you can crush bullies in Ninja Pizza Girl, run with animals in Armello or race suped-up cars in Need for Speed: No Limits, with games made by emerging and established makers.

From platformers, RPGs and digital board games to graphical adventures and puzzlers, visitors will have the opportunity to try their hand at various games and experience the thrill of being part of this dynamic industry.

Visitors will learn about the trailblazing women who have helped shape the gaming industry and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they have overcome. This exhibition aims to inspire and empower young people to pursue their dreams in the technology and gaming sectors.

Code Breakers profiles influential New Zealand and Australian female gamers who have made significant contributions to the industry. These profiles shed light on their achievements, challenges, and the impact they have had on the gaming community while encouraging visitors to think critically about gender representation in the gaming world.

The exhibition features 10 game makers, including: Lisy Kane, Producer at League of Geeks, co-founder of Girl Geek Academy and one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in the games category; Katharine Neil, independent Game Developer and director of the hugely controversial and influential game ‘Escape From Woomera’; Maru Nihoniho, Founder and Managing Director of Metia Interactive and recipient of a New Zealand Order of Merit for her service to the gaming industry; and Siobhan Reddy, Co-Founder and Studio Director of Media Molecule, named in Fortune's 10 most powerful women in gaming.

Location: The Nelson Provincial Museum, Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao, 270 Trafalgar Street, Nelson

For more information: www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/what-is-on/codebreakers

Code Breakers: Women in Games was developed by ACMI in Melbourne and is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

Useful links

New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) Senior Researcher Rachel Bolstad is undertaking national research into how games and simulations can help us think differently about learning and exploring what teachers and students are doing with games in the classroom.

TKI has further information about gaming for learning.

Check out our Gaming and virtual learning – Pinterest board.

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