Thanks to the Informatics Program, I got to attend Unreal Fest, which is an annual conference dedicated to all things Unreal Engine, from game development and virtual production to interactive experiences. The event brings together developers, artists, educators, and industry professionals to share insights, showcase projects, socialize, and explore the latest tools and techniques in 3D creation for video games.

Attending Unreal Fest was an incredible experience for me. I had the opportunity to meet professionals working in the gaming and tech industries and gain hands-on exposure to the tools available to developers using Unreal Engine. I attended panels and workshops that challenged my thinking and made me realize just how little I know about the field of game development. I also became exposed to the idea of pursuing a career in game development, which had always been something I thought would be really interesting, but I had previously seen it as lucrative and unattainable.

I wanted my work to be centered around environmental or social justice, and I had assumed that game development was not a field that had many opportunities for that sort of thing. However, my perceptions were completely changed after attending multiple lectures about how some games have been created or designed to further social good. Because of this, I felt much more interested in the field of game design and saw it as a real possibility for what I could pursue.

Beyond the technical learning, Unreal Fest was inspiring because of the people I met. I connected with students, independent developers, fans, and mentors who were passionate about using games and interactive media for purposes beyond entertainment. Seeing projects that addressed social and environmental issues showed me that games could be more than just fun - they could be a tool for impact. I also got second place in the game jam competition that happened after Unreal Fest, which made me incredibly proud and excited to create more games!