Worlds Collide Developed for Games for WUSC Initiative

Games for WUSC initiative under the GDDSA X WUSC collaboration

Contributed by Stefaniia Kunilova & Gobina Mathyaparana

In Fall 2023 Game Design and Development student Stefaniia Kunilova initiated a GDDSA x WUSC collaboration that bridges the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) mission and game theory.

The Game Design and Development Student Association (GDDSA) President Gobina Mathyaparana joined WUSC’s Social Media and Events Executive in making the first game under the Games for WUSC initiative: Worlds Collide.

Games for WUSC initiative invites student volunteers to create games on a variety of topics under the WUSC’s mission including but not limited to: the WUSC 5 Pillars of SRP Sponsorship, building lasting connections in Canada, and sharing cultural experiences.

Participating students can gain recognition on their Laurier Experience Record (LER), an invitation to the Laurier International Multicultural Gala, a chance to be funded when publishing their game, a LinkedIN reccomendation from the Coordinator of Global Engagement Programming, and a highlight of their meaningful game design skill on their portfolio.

The Game Design and Development Program’s GDDSA is a club under the Human and Social Science Student Association and the Laurier Brantford WUSC Local Committee is a club under the Student Union. Both are located at Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford campus. These clubs have teamed up to create games that represent the diversity of the Brantford campus and its strive for inclusivity.

The GDDSA x WUSC’s Games for WUSC initiative is an on-going yearly collaboration between the two clubs. During the year, clubs’ representatives support a student volunteer in developing a game for WUSC. The student is then provided various platforms to playtest and present their game. At the end of the academic year the student has an opportunity to present their game at the Multicultural Gala. GDDSA x WUSC are supporting the volunteer student throughout the whole development process and beyond if the student intends to publish their finished game.

GDDSA x WUSC’s reasoning for the initiative stems from the desire to resolve perceptual challenges caused by cultural differences. It is not uncommon for people to rely on stereotypes for their first impressions of others. Acknowledging each others’ differences in a welcoming context helps avoid misunderstandings and encourages appreciation of cultural differences.

The ultimate goal of GDDSA x WUSC’s collaboration is to help encourage challenging conversations, deepen cultural learning, recognize unfamiliar struggles, and invite further discussion on inclusivity.

It only takes one conversation to enact a change.

For more details reach out to:

GDDSA: gddsa.wlub@gmail.com

Laurier Brantford WUSC Local Committee: laurierbrantfordwusc@gmail.com

Honorable Mention at ACERS

On March 21, 2024, the Worlds Collide team presented a video entry for the Academic, Creative and Engaged Research Showcase (ACERS) and received honorable mention and a cash award. Stefaniia Kunilova and Gobina Mathyaparana plan to use the award toward production of the board game, which they are continuing to play test with a broader community of Laurier faculty, staff, students, and community members.