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IndieCade East for Families

IndieCade East offers a lively and inspiring atmosphere for children and families, with opportunities to play new games and interact with professionals working in the industry. The core festival showcase of 20 games by independent designers is suitable for ages 6+ and a selection of the presentations and workshops, in which game makers and industry experts discuss their experiences with game design, are best suited for older children (ages 10+). They include the Well Played sessions, in which individual games are played in front of an audience and analyzed to see what makes them successful—and fun!—(Saturday & Sunday), “Why We Make Games” (Saturday), “Bedroom Developments” (Sunday), and the Game Design Workshop (Sunday). Children will be welcome at other programs, but parents should be aware that the subjects and formats, while not inappropriate, may not hold their attention.

The Museum will also present the family workshop, The Game-Making Game (ages 8+), during IndieCade and continuing on Monday and Tuesday, February 18 and 19. Families can also visit the exhibition Spacewar! Video Games Blast Off, which offers a historic overview of the first 50 years of video games featuring 21 playable games (suitable for ages 8+). The Museum’s core exhibition, Behind the Screen, will also continue to be open throughout the weekend.

For children ages 3–12, admission to IndieCade East is included with regular Museum admission ($6). Children ages 13+ are eligible for the student discounted IndieCade pass.