Welcome, fellow game-loving humans and digital dreamers! ✨ Let me introduce you to Accelerate Season 2, the delightfully quirky, joy-filled brainchild of Take This that’s all about mixing game design with mental-health magic. Picture this: a cozy virtual clubhouse where creators, researchers, and mental-health wizards team up, share snacks (okay, virtual snacks), and build game solutions that spark genuine connection. Intrigued? Buckle up! 🎮💖
🕹️ What Is Accelerate, Anyway?
Accelerate is Take This’s fellowship program that launched strong in Season 1, now leveling up for Season 2. It’s made for early-career folks (within 5 years of switching into mental-health or gaming careers) who are eager to change the industry’s vibe. Think: digital thriving by design, safer spaces, and super-friendly games that actually care about people.
Fun Facts:
- 10 fellows, each guided by 5 expert mentors
- 30+ seminars, tons of chats, and resources galore
- Twice-weekly virtual meetups, plus monthly mentor pow-wows
- Real talk on mental health and game fundamentals
- A capstone project to boost your public speaking, dev skills, and more
🤝 Sponsors Who Get It
Big shout-out to Riot Games (your funding = real magic) and Unlikely Collaborators (storytelling + human connection wizards!). They’ve sprinkled their support across a program designed to bring humans closer through play, power thoughtful design, and spark prosocial interaction.
And just when you think virtual is as in-person as it gets… surprise! Fellows earn a fully covered trip to a major gaming event later in the program—doors, badges, and all.
📅 Amazing Dates to Circle
- Applications: June 16 – July 13, 2025 (11:59 PM EST)
- Round 1 Notifications: Aug 18 – interviews in late August
- Onboarding: Early September
- Season Kickoff: Week of Oct 13, 2025
- Mid-season mindful pause around the December holidays
💌 Are You a Good Fit?
You’re golden if:
- You’re 21+ (anywhere in the world!)
- You’re early in your career and passionate about games and mental health
- You identify with or support marginalized communities
- You can show up (twice a week and once a month) for six months
Time zones matter, but don’t sweat it—if you’re comfortable with EST, you’re good to go!
🎉 Why This Program is So Special
- Safe Community: Build friendships with peers who ‘get it’—your wins, your challenges, and your meme-filled jokes.
- Mentorship Magic: One-on-one guidance to help turn your big ideas into reality.
- Skill Power-Up: A unique combo of mental health knowledge and game design tools.
- Spotlight for Your Work: Coaching to make your capstone project shine.
- Industry Shine: Network at major game events with travel and lodging covered!
✨ Final Sparkle
Think of Accelerate as your warm digital pixel den—where big ideas meet heart, and games are made with care. It’s a place where thoughtful people like you can remix worlds, bring humans together, and truly make a difference in how we play and feel.
If your brain’s buzzing with ideas, your heart beats for community care, and you’re ready for a mentoring adventure, apply now. Season 2 is ready to amplify your spark!
👉 Apply before July 13—let’s build the future of gaming together!🚀💫
Stay quirky, stay kind, and may your next game moment be filled with joy and connection! 🚀💫
