Co-Working Space For Game Developers Opens in Phoenix

Game CoLab, a co-working space catering to game developers and designers located in the downtown warehouse district at the Levine Machine will open May 8, 2013. Founders Ben Reichert and Joseph Darnell are at the helm.
Reichert developed this co-working concept after his frustration to find programmers and developers for his own gaming project. With a background in intelligent transport systems and road transportation as well as international relations and conflict management, Reichert conceptualized another way to use technology for mobility through gamification, but didn’t have the developing know how. He started researching, going to gaming conventions and international and national studios, and connecting with developers to build his craft. Reichert was the former Assistant Director of ASU Center for Game and Impact with Director Sasha Barab.
“With my background in ITS, I know what type of data is being collected and what to do with it. The purpose is to optimize [people’s] behavior, [as well as] help people make the most optimal decision about how they move around,” Reichert said.
“Knowing what your options are in terms of transport can help people make their decisions–and games are a great user experience for transport, and provide some reward and internal accomplishment.”
So why the Game CoLab? “It was an expression of what I was doing at the Center for Game and Impact–and placing myself in the gaming community. I found a lot of independent developers frustrated working from home or coffee shops,” he stated, and created a solution.

Reichert and Darnell found each other at an entrepreneur class and discovered they both wanted to offer a co-working space for game developers. Reichert raves about the talent, and hidden talent, in Phoenix he hopes to bring to the space.
“There is excellent talent and well-known people from the independent gaming community in Phoenix,” he said.
Reichert also wants to encourage creatives to work in the space, including artists and photographers.

The Game CoLab will be offering different price packages ranging from $50-350 per month with various privileges and hours of availability (evening, weekends, business days).