Tech Valley Game Space is a volunteer-driven, diversity focused nonprofit organization founded on the principle that games and game making are for everyone.
We won’t let you listen to that inner voice that tells you that you can’t. Trust us, you can.
We are proud to offer a welcoming community and coworking space for game makers on any level. It’s important to us that everyone supports one another and acts as mentors and educators. Everyone has something to bring to the table.
WHAT WE OFFER
FOR GAME MAKERS
STUDIO SPACE
Located at 30 3rd St. in Troy, NY our coworking space is both inclusive and affordable for those interested in working on games or learning more about them. We work in close collaboration with the Tech Valley Center of Gravity makerspace, though we are each separate organizations.
MEETINGS & EVENTS
We host recurring community meetings and events where game developers and people interested in videogames can meet, collaborate, and have fun. Check out our schedule for upcoming events and meetings.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
If you’re interested in a more specific topic, we have Orbit groups where you can connect with other like-minded folk and learn more about it!
FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Community GAME JAMS
No experience making games? Not a problem for us at TVGS. We often host game jam events where you can join in and hone your creative skills. Everyone is welcome at TVGS at any time! But if you’re feeling a little shy, game jams are a great way to meet friends and collaborators.
INTERACTIVE SHOWCASE
Our popular monthly event series from Troy Night Out has been on hiatus recently due to COVID, but we may be reviving it soon! Keep an eye out for the next showcase, and join us to check out a selection of game demos made by local game developers. Some of them will even be there on-hand to field questions, or just to get super excited with you about all the awesomeness.
FOR INDUSTRY
TALENTS
As one of the largest game development communities in the New York’s Capital Region, we have a wide array of local talent ready to be hired and/or improve your studio. We also help build a stronger game development ecosystem by providing workforce development training to help aspiring creators transition into professional roles. Contact us for more information!
OUTREACH
From the professional industry to non-profits, our knowledge of the local area in regards to the gaming industry and economic development is wide and varied. If you ever need help spreading the word of your cause, we can help! For a more international audience, we attend global industry events and conferences, bringing the games of the Capital Region to a wider audience. Again, contact us for more information.
FOR ACADEMIA
CRITICISM
During more casual events such as Social Night and our Transmissions livestream series, our community often bonds over deep dive discussions of game design. We regularly discuss the meaning behind the games we play, and compare notes from both personal and critical perspectives. For more info, check out our schedule for upcoming events and meetings.
OUR MISSION
We aim to encourage and enable everyone in the New York Capital Region to create games.
Tech Valley Game Space is a volunteer-driven and member-supported nonprofit organization founded on the principle that games and game-making are for everyone. We are building a stronger ecosystem for game makers throughout the NY Capital Region. The centerpiece of these efforts is our location in Troy NY, which serves as a coworking venue, communal hub, and safe space where game makers of all backgrounds and experience levels can gather to collaborate, share knowledge, and support one another.
Our community is at the heart of everything we do. Using our collective talent and enthusiasm, we constantly strive to increase the accessibility of game development mentorship and skill-building opportunities available to people in all corners of the Capital Region. Our coworking space allows individuals to build on their knowledge to grow their projects to a larger endeavor. We develop classes and diversity-focused education programs that we provide to the public, both at our venue in Troy and throughout the region via partnerships with schools and other local organizations that share our values.
TVGS is an inclusive space where we want everyone to feel safe and welcome. Please read our Code of Conduct and Safe Space Policy.
We’re a non-profit organization chartered in the State of New York, and we are incredibly thankful to our volunteers who keep us going.
If you want to support us and help us grow, you can either volunteer by contacting us here or on Facebook. Don’t have the time? You can also support us by donating directly or via Patreon.
Board
Jamey Stevenson – Executive Director
Jamey is a co-founder of Tech Valley Game Space, and currently serves as the organization’s Executive Director. He is also the Creative Director of Spoony Bird, an independent game development studio devoted to serving up flighty experiments in bite-size portions. He has over 15 years of professional game dev experience, most recently as a Game Designer at Google DeepMind. Jamey was born and raised in the Albany area, and is deeply committed to fostering a more inclusive, approachable, and thriving creative community by supporting indie and aspiring game makers throughout the Capital Region.
Tom Carmona – Treasurer, Acting Chair
Tom is currently the VP of Business Development for Wolfjaw Studios and leads the efforts to keep his teams busy with projects and strategic partnerships that push what is possible in the gaming industry and technology today. Being an avid gamer his whole life, Tom has a passion for gaming and likes to focus his time on enhancing player experiences through meaningful partnerships. Prior to joining Wolfjaw, he worked as a Business Development Manager for Madglory Interactive and PUBG.
Dr. Laquana Cooke
Dr. Laquana Cooke is Associate Professor of Digital Rhetoric at West Chester University and is the Founding Director for iCamp Summer Media Academy. Dr. Cooke is a digital media scholar, instructor, and designer whose work has been exhibited and presented at national conferences and game expositions, such as PAX East, SXSW EDU, IEEE Integrated STEM Education Conference (ISEC), Revolutionary Learning, Conference on College Composition and Communication, Rhetoric Society of America, and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). She has over 10 years of experience in developing and facilitating media and STEAM-based programs for nonprofits, secondary, and higher education sectors.
Zack Hiwiller
Zack Hiwiller is a Lead Game Designer at Velan Studios in Troy, NY. Previously, he was a designer at Electronic Arts, Gameloft, and Sky Parlor Studios. He was also the Department Chair of the Game Design Bachelor of Science Program at Full Sail University. He is the author of Players Making Decisions, a textbook for game designers published by New Riders. He has nearly twenty years of game development experience on a wide range of platforms, team sizes, and genres.
Darryl Nunn
Darryl Nunn is an avid video game player who has immersed himself in the world of gaming for many years. With a solid background in game design, he has made significant contributions to the industry during his time as a Game Designer at 1st Playable, where he worked for over 6 years.
At 1st Playable, Darryl worked on a wide range of projects, refining his skills in areas such as game mechanics, level design, and enhancing the overall player experience. His expertise and dedication have helped create engaging gameplay experiences for several successful titles.
Aside from his role as a Game Designer, Darryl is also an influential figure in the field of game development education. For over 6 years, he has been sharing his knowledge and expertise as a Game Developer, guiding aspiring game creators to gain valuable insights and develop their own skills.
Motivated by his passion for game development, Darryl is currently pursuing an exciting new endeavor. He is actively working towards establishing a virtual game development studio. Drawing from his extensive experience, creative vision, and leadership abilities, Darryl aims to bring innovation and captivating experiences to players through his games.
As a dedicated gamer, Darryl stays up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the gaming world. He actively seeks inspiration from various sources, ensuring his work remains fresh and relevant in an ever-evolving industry. His commitment to staying current ensures that his games resonate with players and provide them with enjoyable and memorable experiences.