Good Game Club Podcast

Live from GamesBeat 2026 | Dubai Films & Games Commission x Good Game Club

The Good Game Club Podcast heads to Dubai as the Dubai Film and Games Commission officially announces a new partnership to make Dubai the home of the podcast. Recorded live at the GamesBeat Summit 2026, this panel explores how games are shaping a more inclusive, connected and positive future — from sustainability and accessibility to education, mental health and global storytelling. Featuring Jude Ower, Mathias Gredal Nørvig, Faisal Kazim and Susanna Pollack, the conversation dives into why games are far more than entertainment, and why the industry has a responsibility to lead meaningful change. 00:00 – Welcome to the Panel Susanna Pollack opens the session and introduces the panel focused on games as a force for good. 00:00:46 – Introducing the Good Game Club Jude Ower shares the mission behind the podcast and her work driving sustainability and positive impact in games. 00:01:25 – Subway Surfers and Responsibility at Scale Mathias Gredal Nørvig explains how SYBO integrates sustainability, diversity and kindness into one of the world’s biggest games. 00:02:03 – Dubai’s Vision for Gaming Faisal Kazim outlines why Dubai sees gaming as a platform for cultural exchange and positive social impact. 00:03:19 – Why the Good Game Club Podcast Exists Jude explains the inspiration behind the podcast and the need to shift the conversation away from negative gaming stereotypes. 00:05:34 – Creating a Global Archive of Good Stories Mathias discusses the podcast’s ambition to become a global platform for meaningful conversations around games and impact. 00:08:34 – Gaming as the World’s Most Inclusive Space Faisal shares how games connect families and communities across borders, including his own family playing Fortnite together across continents. 00:12:15 – Powerful Examples of Gaming for Good Jude highlights impact-driven initiatives including the Call of Duty Endowment and games supporting veterans, dementia care and peace-building. 00:16:23 – How Games Teach Real-World Skills The panel explores how games develop critical thinking, teamwork and employability skills. 00:20:03 – Designing Games Around Inclusion and Wellbeing Mathias explains how inclusive design, representation and positive messaging are built into Subway Surfers. 00:22:29 – Community Safety and Healthy Game Ecosystems The discussion shifts to player wellbeing, moderation, community management and building healthier online spaces. 00:23:53 – Dubai Becomes the Home of the Good Game Club Podcast Faisal officially announces the partnership between Dubai Film and Games Commission and the Good Game Club. 00:26:15 – Why Dubai Was the Right Fit Jude explains why Dubai’s energy, ambition and global connectivity made it a natural home for the podcast. 00:28:15 – What Success Looks Like for the Partnership The panel shares their vision for growing global awareness of gaming’s positive impact. 00:31:42 – Closing Remarks and Strategic Partners Final reflections on driving positive change through games and acknowledgment of Dubai Film and Games Commission and Tencent as partners.

Dan Goldenberg | Helping Veterans Build New Futures Through the Call of Duty Endowment

The Good Game Club heads to Los Angeles to speak with Dan Goldenberg, Executive Director of the Call of Duty Endowment, about how one of gaming’s biggest franchises has helped place more than 169,000 veterans into high-quality jobs. Dan explains why focus, accountability and long-term commitment matter in social impact, and how games can mobilise players, employees and communities around measurable change. To celebrate Military Appreciation Month, the Call of Duty Endowment has launched an in-game pack in Call of Duty. 100% of Activision net proceeds from the sale of the pack go to the Call of Duty Endowment. Details can be found here - https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2026/05/call-of-duty-endowment-2026-military-appreciation-month-usaa.html [https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2026/05/call-of-duty-endowment-2026-military-appreciation-month-usaa.html]  Veterans get in touch - https://www.callofdutyendowment.org/veteran_support [https://www.callofdutyendowment.org/veteran_support] 00:00 – Welcome from Los Angeles Setting up the West Coast focus on doing good through games. 01:12 – Introducing Dan Goldenberg and the Call of Duty Endowment How Activision’s military community connection became a veteran employment mission. 03:30 – The Seal of Distinction Model How a performance-led approach transformed the Endowment’s impact. 04:21 – Why Veteran Employment? Why jobs are the number one requested service for transitioning service members. 05:38 – Accountability Over “Fire and Forget” Philanthropy Why quarterly data, focus and honest conversations drive better outcomes. 08:27 – The Human Stories Behind 169,000 Placements From wounded veterans to esports viewers finding career support. 11:41 – Why Focus Beats Cause-Hopping Dan’s case for choosing one issue, understanding it deeply and staying committed. 15:03 – What Does Leadership Really Want From Impact? The difference between PR, engagement and genuine social change. 17:02 – How Call of Duty Players Respond Why transparency matters when players fund impact through in-game items. 19:02 – Making Impact Visible How the Endowment shares individual veteran stories, not just big numbers. 21:14 – A Small Team Powered by Activision Volunteers How hundreds of employees contribute expertise, time and passion. 25:27 – Strategy on One Page Dan’s ODSP framework for setting objectives, goals, strategy and plans. 30:54 – Building an Internal Movement How Veterans Day of Service helped embed the mission inside Activision. 34:44 – What Non-Gaming Companies Can Learn Using community, cadence and proof to build trust around social impact. 41:40 – The 2030 Goal The Endowment’s ambition to place 200,000 veterans in jobs across the US and UK. 44:07 – Favourite Game and Final Reflections Atari 2600, Candy Crush, empathy and Dan’s question for future guests.

Jessica Murrey | From Peace Builder to Game Designer

The latest episode of the Good Game Club podcast features Jessica Murrey, CEO and co-founder of Wicked Saints Studios, an Emmy Award-winning storyteller and former international peacebuilder using games to help young people build confidence, navigate conflict and take action in the real world. As World Reborn prepares for release on May 14th, Jess joins Jude Ower and Mathias Gredal Nørvig to explore how interactive storytelling, behavioural science and real-world quests can turn in-game mastery into real-life self-efficacy. From “common ground activism” to youth wellbeing, kindness, diversity and brand partnerships, this conversation asks what games can become when they do more than entertain. 00:00 – Opening Mission Jessica introduces Wicked Saints’ mission to empower the next generation through stories, experiences and action. 01:49 – From Peacebuilding to Game Design Jess explains her background in international peacebuilding and how it led to Wicked Saints Studios. 03:18 – Why Behaviour Change Needs Experience The aha moment that showed why scenarios, stories and practice can work better than information alone. 05:38 – Games, Mastery and Self-Efficacy How game loops can build confidence and help players believe they can make change. 07:43 – What Is World Reborn? An interactive mobile story game where real-world quests power progress in the fantasy world. 08:58 – Real-World Quests in Action How a Discord-backed active listening mission might guide players from reflection to kindness. 11:29 – Avoiding the Broccoli Effect Why Wicked Saints rejects the idea that impact and fun have to be opposites. 13:10 – Player Feedback and Early Impact Players report feeling healed, more confident and motivated to take real-world action. 16:37 – The Tattoo Method Why social change needs trust, identity and audience-centred storytelling. 19:56 – Attack the Problem, Not the Person Jess explains common ground activism and how it reframes conflict. 24:19 – Creating a New Game Category The challenge of marketing “adventure activism” and building an audience for something new. 28:29 – Verifying Real-World Action How Wicked Saints thinks about trust, proof, community accountability and player motivation. 30:18 – The Long-Term Vision A global platform for local and worldwide activations that reduce harm and build collaboration. 34:12 – Business Model and Brand Partnerships Why sponsored quests can turn brand engagement into rewards rather than ads. 42:34 – Raising Venture Capital as a Black Woman Founder Jess reflects on fundraising, representation and why diversity should be treated as a creative gift. 48:17 – Favourite Game and Final Questions Jess chooses Florence, explains how Wicked Saints measures impact, and asks future guests about their hope for the industry.

Anjali Bhimani | Good Game Club Live Recording: The power of storytelling in crafting positive communities

Recorded live at the Games for Change Summit in London for a special Good Game Club Podcast episode with @sweeetanj  Anjali Bhimani. Together, we’ll explore how games shape storytelling, culture and human connection. This is a live, unscripted conversation about the role games play in our lives, far beyond entertainment, and why they matter more than ever in today’s world. Whether you are part of the games industry, an educator, a parent, or simply curious about the impact of digital play, this session offers a thoughtful and accessible perspective on gaming and its place in modern culture.

Susanna Pollack & Danny Marti | Raising Good Gamers: A Global Partnership for Healthy Play

Recorded on the road in San Francisco during GDC Festival of Gaming, this episode of the Good Game Club Podcast explores how we raise healthier, safer and more informed young players. Jude and Matthias are joined by Susanna Pollack, President of Games for Change, and Danny Marti Head of Public Affairs and Global Policy at Tencent for a timely conversation about the upcoming Raising Good Gamers initiative. Together, they unpack why the public conversation around games is still too often driven by fear instead of evidence, why parents need better tools and language to engage with gaming, and how play can help children build resilience, problem-solving skills and stronger family relationships. 00:00 – Why this conversation matters  A powerful opening montage sets the tone: play, safety, resilience and the need for a more balanced conversation about games. 00:00:46 – Live from GDC in San Francisco  Jude and Matthias introduce the episode and reflect on the momentum building around gaming for good. 00:01:50 – Meet Susanna Pollack and Danny Marti  The guests introduce themselves, their work, and the goals behind the Raising Good Gamers initiative. 00:05:21 – Why now?  The panel discusses why this research is urgently needed, and why the real answer may be that the industry should have started much earlier. 00:08:21 – The biggest misconceptions parents have about gaming  Susanna explains why gaming should not simply be lumped in with “screen time”, and why parents need clearer context. 00:09:49 – Does gaming cause violence?  Danny addresses one of the most persistent myths in public policy and argues for more evidence-based discussion. 00:10:51 – Parenting the first truly digital generation  Jude reflects on how today’s parents are the first to navigate online safety and digital play at this scale. 00:11:46 – Why policy is often reactive  Danny explains how legislation tends to respond to fear and headlines, rather than long-term evidence and understanding. 00:14:33 – What developers are already doing well  Susanna highlights the growing number of studios, toolkits and partnerships focused on designing for wellbeing and safety. 00:16:54 – How to reach parents where they are  The conversation turns to practical distribution: schools, community groups, faith spaces and local support networks. 00:19:39 – Reframing games as digital play  Susanna makes the case for talking about games as play, helping parents relate to the medium in a more human way. 00:22:40 – Why fear-based narratives persist  The group explores why bad headlines dominate and how better stories, better evidence and better dialogue can shift the narrative. 00:27:56 – From understanding to engagement  A key idea emerges: parents do not just need to understand games, they need pathways to engage with their children through them. 00:36:13 – What the white paper covers  Susanna outlines the main themes in the research, including parental concerns, policy gaps, industry language and practical tools. 00:46:21 – Favourite games, hopes for the industry, and questions for future guests  The episode closes with personal game picks, reflections on AI and the future of the industry, and two thoughtful questions for the next guest.