Welcome to the Gaming Lab! The Gaming Lab was founded in 2018 by Professor Jen Malkowski, associate professor of Film and Media Studies.
We offer a hands-on learning space with over 400 video games for Film & Media Studies students to engage in interactive storytelling and Game Studies courses. We also have weekly open hours for anyone in the Smith College community to explore and play.
Our mission is to create a safe space to have a fun and immersive experience with video games.
The impact of gaming in our society is rapidly increasing every year, so we want to provide women, people of color, and gender minorities—groups often underrepresented in the gaming industry—with an equal opportunity to explore gaming in an uplifting environment. Engaging with video games can be expensive, so we also aim to provide all Smithies the opportunity to experience virtual reality, try out different consoles, and more.
Community members get to play all sorts of video games, ranging from Triple-A esports, 1990s arcade games, indie games, and more. We’ve got something for everyone here! Other than Film and Media Studies, video games can inspire interdisciplinary projects with Studio Art, Computer Science, Education, Women and Gender Studies, and much more.
The Gaming Lab is managed by student Lab Assistants, who will help you pick out a game, set up your game, and make sure you don’t run into any technical issues! If you’d like to know more about our open hours, then please check out our Open Hours page! It can vary from semester to semester. Our staff supervisor is Andrew Maurer, Interactive Media Coordinator at the Imaging Center.
This website was created by Amelie LaPoint ’25 and Sophia Silovsky ’24 in Fall 2022.
Who are this year’s Gaming Lab Assistants?
Hi! My name is Kendra (she/her) and I am from Connecticut! I live over in Sessions Annex, but I spend a lot of my time in Neilson or making coffee in my room. My favorite games are Stardew Valley, Minecraft, and Valheim. I can’t wait to meet you all, and learn what great games are out there!!
Bello! My name is Taylor (they/them), and I am from the D(M)V! I live in Tyler House, but you can find me in the CC in the booth all the way in the back! My favorite games are Lollipop Chainsaw, Gravity Rush 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and the entire Fatal Frame series! Please don’t be afraid to chat or ask me for anything, see you soon!
