Gamers grow up and become parents. But societal values make gamers feel bad about time spent gaming, prompting players to retire controllers once babies are born. But gamers do not have to choose between parent and gamer. They can leverage their gaming skills to unlock hidden levels of awesome in kids, thanks to The Gamers’ Guide to Parenting. After all, kids are a game, a multi-genre one with great production values, complicated artificial intelligence, and in need of extensive quality assurance testing!

Presented by Dr. Carla Fisher, a gamer AND parent, it reflects her unusual background as a game designer with a doctorate in instructional technology and media from Columbia University.

Gamers and parents attending this session will better understand how to take their experiences and apply it to support childhood milestones. Game designers will learn new ways to marry progressive educational philosophies with engaging game mechanics.

This SXSW Gaming Session at the Long Center is FREE and open to the public. However SXSW Interactive, Film, Gold and Platinum badges gain priority seating.