VGA closed out 2022 with Chicago’s Alternative Games Festival Bit Bash, which happened in-person for the first time since 2019 - and was a smashing success. After a day of panels about the ever-present intersection of technology and mental health hosted by The Verge and the Chicago Humanities Festival, attendees came together for a fantastic afterparty that included demos of 15 different indie games.

VGA Gallery showcased Football Practice, an ongoing project by Kristen McWharter with Alm Chung, an AI simulation game that visualizes the archetypes, stereotypes, and desires enmeshed in the narratives of professional sports. VGA thanks the Illinois Arts Council Agency, who sponsored this showcase.

We had a blast hearing your thoughts on the piece, and were also delighted to feature it on display on the building facade of the Hyde Park Art Center.

A huge thank you to Bit Bash, The Verge, and the Chicago Humanities Festival for organizing this amazing event at Steppenwolf Theater.

We look forward to providing even more opportunities for the Chicagoland game development community to connect with and learn from one another. And a big shout out to all those who signed up for our mailing list or purchased one of our prints. Your support helps keep VGA going!

Thank you to everyone on the VGA team and board, as well as our Fireside guests and Zine writers who made 2022 a fantastic year. What do we have to look forward to in 2023, you might ask? We’ll definitely be having some more in-person events, including fundraisers and benefits, not to mention some exciting new virtual content in the works. But more importantly, what do you want to see from us? Fill out this Google form to let us know what you’d like VGA to focus on in the new year. Together, we’ll keep celebrating and shining a light on video games and their impact!

Thank You, Bit Bash! + 2022 Recap