Inside the Best Buy Foundation’s XBOX Game Camp Minneapolis

Young creators from Best Buy Teen Tech Centers® across the Twin Cities came together to celebrate the completion of XBOX Game Camp by showcasing their original video game prototypes at Best Buy headquarters on Sept. 3.

Over 12 weeks, participants worked alongside industry mentors from XBOX and Microsoft to explore each stage of video game development, including design, engineering, storytelling, art and marketing. The Best Buy Foundation® also provided each participant with a stipend to help them focus on creating and learning during the program.

The camp concluded on Sept. 3, when participants presented their original games to Best Buy and XBOX leaders, including XBOX CEO Asha Sharma and incoming Best Buy CEO Jason Bonfig. The event marked a special moment for both companies, coinciding with Best Buy's 60th anniversary and XBOX's 25th. Through the partnership, the Best Buy Foundation and XBOX brought the global program to young creators in the Twin Cities, connecting them with hands-on experience, industry mentors and a community to support their continued growth.

"Bringing Best Buy and XBOX together to invest in the next generation of creators is incredibly meaningful, especially as both companies celebrate such notable milestones," said Olivia Jefferson, vice president of social impact at Best Buy. "Opportunities like XBOX Game Camp give young people the space to create, learn directly from mentors and see new possibilities for their futures."

"Many of us bought our first computer at Best Buy and remember the sense of possibility it opened for us. That experience makes this partnership especially meaningful. Together, XBOX and the Best Buy Foundation are helping young people access the technology, mentorship and opportunities that can turn curiosity into creativity and creativity into careers," said Peter Zetterberg, senior director of XBOX Game Camp. "Our belief is that when you provide the tools, encouragement and access to networks, people thrive."

Watch the documentary to meet the young creators and see how their games came to life:

About the Best Buy Foundation®

The Best Buy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to building brighter futures for young people by expanding access to technology, skills-based training, and career pathways. Through a network of Best Buy Teen Tech Centers® and community partnerships, the Foundation helps young people develop critical career skills and gain real-world experience to thrive in tech-reliant careers of the future. By working alongside industry, education, and nonprofit partners, the Best Buy Foundation strategically invests in initiatives that strengthen talent pipelines and empower the next generation of leaders for the careers of the future.

Learn more about the Best Buy Foundation and how we are building brighter futures through technology for young people.

About XBOX Game Camp

XBOX Game Camp was founded in 2020 on the belief that extraordinary talent resides everywhere. The purpose of the program is to empower future waves of creators, storytellers and game studios to achieve more and realize their potential in the gaming industry while growing thriving game development communities around the world. Learn more about XBOX Game Camp and our belief that Extraordinary Talent Resides Everywhere.