Hi, this is Vanessa, your ENLIGHTENMENT salon host.

In a time when movie adaptations of Super Mario and Minecraft top the box office, and Netflix is the first to preview Grand Theft Auto VI to the world, gaming is a money-maker.

While they’re scientifically shown to relieve stress and boost cognitive skills, video games can also lead to addiction, anxiety and increased aggression that’s acted out in the real world.

Join me for an interactive talk with local developers and creators as we peel back the digital curtain to explore the modern state of video games.

• What’s the gaming industry focused on today, and how is it shaping our society?

• How are independent studios and solo creators rewriting the rules of play?

• What defines the Sacramento region’s gaming community, and how are local studios quietly shaping the future of the medium?

Whether you are an aspiring designer, an avid player, or simply someone who wants to know more about this intersection of art and technology, this is a salon talk for you. So bring your questions — nothing is too dumb or too small to ask.

Tickets are $10; $5 for students. There will be drinks and snacks, but feel free to BYO.

To get your seat, register here on our Eventbrite page.