Draft:Asi Burak
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Asi Burak | |
|---|---|
 Asi Burak in 2020 | |
| Born | Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Alma mater | Carnegie Mellon University |
| Occupation(s) | Video game designer, Entrepreneur |
| Known for | PeaceMaker, Games for Change, Power Play: How Video Games Can Save the World |
| Website | https://www.asiburak.com/ |
Asi Burak is a video game creator, tech executive, and social entrepreneur, known for his work in developing video games aimed at promoting social change, including PeaceMaker, and for his role as Chairman of Games for Change (G4C)[1].
Early Life and Education
[edit]Asi Burak holds a Master of Entertainment Technology from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)[2]. He has also taught in the MFA Design for Social Innovation program at the School of Visual Arts[3].
Career
[edit]ImpactGames
[edit]In 2005, Burak co-founded ImpactGames[4]., a company dedicated to using video games as tools for education and social engagement. One of its most notable projects is PeaceMaker, a simulation game designed to promote understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The game gained recognition for its educational approach and won the "Best Transformation Game" award at the 2007 Games for Change Festival[1].
In 2008, Burak launched Play the News[5]., a web-based platform that allowed users to engage with current events through interactive mini-games. Play the News was awarded the inaugural Knight News Game Award in 2009 for its innovative approach to news media[6].
Games for Change
[edit]Burak has served as the Chairman of Games for Change (G4C)[7], a nonprofit organization that promotes the creation and use of video games for social impact. Under his leadership, G4C has expanded its reach, hosting the annual Games for Change Festival in New York City.
Tilting Point
[edit]Since 2017, Burak has been the Chief Business Officer at Tilting Point[7], a mobile game publisher. During his tenure, the company experienced significant growth, with a 25-fold increase in revenue[8]. Burak played a crucial role in securing multi-million dollar partnerships, including a $40 million user acquisition fund with Joycity[9].
Authorship
[edit]Burak co-authored the book Power Play: How Video Games Can Save the World with Laura Parker. The book explores the potential of video games to drive social and political change[10].
Recognition and Awards
[edit]Burak has been recognized for his work in the gaming industry. His projects and viewpoints have been featured in media outlets, and he has been a speaker at global events such as TED Talks[11], Harvard Kennedy School[12] , and the Clinton Global Initiative[13]. He has also been publically recognized for his contributions and received the following awards:
- Digital 25: Leaders in Emerging Entertainment (2011) – Awarded by the Producers Guild of America and Variety[14].
- Carnegie Mellon "Tartans on the Rise" Award (2017) – Recognized by Carnegie Mellon University for Burak’s impact on the gaming and tech industries[2]
- Gary’s Book Club at CES (2018) – Featured at Gary’s Book Club for Power Play: How Video Games Can Save the World[15].
Personal Life
[edit]In 1998, while studying at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Burak completed a final project imagining Israel in 2023. The project depicted a dystopian future where Israel coexisted with a right-wing Judean State. In 2023, the project gained renewed attention, as real-life events mirrored Burak’s predictions. It was featured on Israeli primetime television and discussed by various media outlets.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "How Video Games Can Save The World". Forbes.
- ^ a b "Tartans on the Rise: Asi Burak". Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ "Asi Burak". MFA Design for Social Innovation.
- ^ "Impact Games". Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center.
- ^ "Games for Change Now and for the Future: A Conversation with Asi Burak". San Francisco State University Department of Jewish Studies.
- ^ "Games for Change Announces Winner of the First Knight News Game Awards". Knight Foundation.
- ^ a b "Gaming for a Better World". Katoikos.
- ^ "Tilting Point on synergistic growth by supercharging its developers' success". PocketGamer.
- ^ "Tilting Point Invests $40M with Joycity". GamesPress.
- ^ "How Video Games Can Save the World". Time. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ "TEDxGotham". TED Conferences.
- ^ "Shorenstein Center Newsletter, Spring 2011" (PDF). Shorenstein Center. p. 6.
- ^ "GW Strongly Represented at Clinton Global Initiative University". The George Washington University.
- ^ "PGA sets 'Digital 25' leaders". Variety.
- ^ "Gary's Book Club at CES 2018". Business Wire.
- ^ "ראיונות מרכזיים ראה את העתיד – היצירה של אסי בורק". Democratv.