Games for Change, in partnership with Tencent Games, today announced the launch of a new programme that builds on the Raising Good Gamersinitiative,designed to help families engage more confidently with the role video games play in young people’s lives.
With 3.3 billion people playing video games worldwide, video gaming is now a central part of everyday life – reinforcing the need for more informed, evidence‑based and balanced dialogue around play.This is particularly relevant in fast-growing digital markets such as the Middle East, where tens of millions of players across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt are part of one of the world’s most engaged gaming audiences, with the majority under the age of 35.
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 across15 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 childrenand 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 including the Middle East next year as part of a sustainable movement to help change the culture of video gaming for everyone.
Susanna Pollack, President, Games for Change, said: “For many parents, video games are a meaningful part of their children’s lives, but one they don’t always feel equipped to navigate. As gaming continues to evolve, families are increasingly looking for balanced, practical support. Through this partnership and accompanying research, we’re bringing together data, behavioural science and the voices of families themselves to help address the questions parents have and give them the tools to engage with gaming in a more informed, confident and constructive way.”
Danny Marti, Head of Public Affairs at Tencent, added: “Video games are an enriching and widely enjoyed part of modern life, yet public debate around games is too often shaped by narrow or incomplete narratives. Raising Good Gamers reflects a belief that positive play is a shared responsibility, one that benefits from collaboration across industry, researchers, educators, policymakers, and families. By grounding the conversation in evidence and practical experience, this partnership aims to support more informed decision-making and a more balanced understanding of the role video games play in young people’s lives.”
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. More information is available here: Good Game Club Linktree.
Tencent Games is proud to be 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.
