GlitchCon15 welcomed 500 community members to explore Why Games Matter through a series of panels, interactive sessions, and galleries from March 28 – 29, 2015 at McNamara Alumni Center.

The weekend kicked off with a keynote presentation from James Portnow, co-creator of Extra Credits and CEO of Rainmaker Games. He discussed the role that developers play in igniting player’s passion through the worlds they create, how games can unite people, and the potential to make educational titles engaging for learners.

Ashly Burch, voice actress and creator of the blog How Games Saved My Life, got deep and personal in Sunday morning’s keynote. She delved into her struggle with anxiety and how video games, such as Animal Crossing and Metal Gear Solid, helped her cope, as well as make a connection with her brother. Check out the full presentation here.