DALLAS, TX (Dec. 9, 2015) – Transformance, Inc. is ready to “gamify” the financial literacy process with a goal of introducing basic concepts of saving, overcoming debt and building wealth. Targeted to youth and young adults aged 15-to-24, the winning Pocket Change Game Design Challenge entry will become a vital component of Transformance’s multiple e-learning platforms set to launch next year. While the design challenge is open to global competition from commercial game studios and independent developers, Transformance is specifically seeking student entries in the Greater Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth region.

“The Pocket Change Game Design Challenge is an innovative way to introduce our young adults to the world of financial literacy through ‘gamification’,” said Ken Goodgames, president and CEO of Transformance. “Once completed, the winning entry will be distributed to the public through our online portal and a mobile app. Our goal is for Pocket Change to become an integral part of Transformance’s entire e-learning platform.”

Transformance will be teaming up with co-challenge organizer Games for Change (G4C), whose mission is to provide a catalyst for learning and social impact through digital game development. Other mentoring and presenting sponsor roles for the Pocket Change Game Design Challenge include Istation, NogginLabs and Lumos Partners.

Under the theme “Encouraging Americans to save,” the Pocket Change Game Design Challenge seeks gaming/app ideas that teach the basics of saving, while also outlining strategies for overcoming debt and building wealth. Submitted concepts are expected to explain how their game attributes will address the target audience of young adults aged 15 to 24 and how their design will be responsive and interactive to the target audience’s needs and preferences.

To submit an entry for the game design challenge, participants need to fill out an online form for the Transformance Pocket Change mobile app and online portal. Only completed applications will be considered. Supporting materials are optional, but may be added for consideration. All submissions will be reviewed by an advisory committee from G4C and narrowed down to 25 top entries. From there, a user committee and technical panel comprised of game design and subject matter experts will narrow the list to five finalists, all of whom will be invited to present their design ideas to a panel of judges at a live event in Dallas.

The timeline for the Pocket Change Game Design Challenge is as follows:

– Dec. 10, 2015 – Game design/development entry process opens to the public

– Jan. 22, 2016 – Game design/development entry submissions due

– Feb. 22, 2016 – Five finalists will be selected from the entries with an invitation to present their game design to a panel of judges

– March 18, 2016 – Five finalists will make their game design presentations at a live event in Dallas. An executive judging panel will select the winner, who will receive the $10,000 grand prize.

Once completed, the winning game will be distributed through Transformance’s online portal and mobile app and also featured as part of Transformance’s e-learning programs targeting young adults.

For more information on the Pocket Change Game Design Challenge, please visit the Transformance Pocket Change mobile app and online portal or call 1-800-249-2227.

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In 2015, the agency will have delivered more than 125,000 consumer interactions through financial counseling, outreach and education. In 2016, the agency expects to serve up to 1 million low and moderate income families with transformative financial learning solutions accessible online and through a new mobile app.

Since its founding in 1974 as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas, the agency has empowered clients to overcome adversity and attain their financial goals. Services include credit/budget counseling, financial education, housing counseling, individual debt management and bankruptcy counseling. Transformance will:

• Provide a national nonprofit resource dedicated to confidential and professional counseling to assist financially distressed or economically vulnerable families

• Develop and foster community educational programs on family money management, budgeting and the wise use of money and credit

• Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with the credit community, employee assistance programs, professional counselors and community-based social service agencies

• Provide opportunities for economic empowerment of low and moderate income families and with a particular focus on at-risk communities such as seniors, military families, veterans, communities of color and single, female-headed households

• Enable good financial knowledge early in life through its focus on education of students (K -12) and their parents through agency strategic partnerships

Transformance, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974, and is a United Way Service Provider as well as a HUD-approved multistate housing counseling and education organization. The agency is formally accredited every four years by the Council on Accreditation for Children and Families (COA) to ensure compliance with top industry standards and best practices. The agency has its headquarters in Dallas, Texas, with satellite offices in Arlington; Austin; Amarillo; Ardmore, Oklahoma; and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

To read more about Transformance, Inc., or for an annual report, visit http://www.transformanceusa.org.

Founded in 2004, Games for Change facilitates the creation and distribution of social impact games that serve as critical tools in humanitarian and educational efforts, with an aim to leverage entertainment and engagement for social good. To further grow the field, G4C convenes multiple stakeholders, highlights best practices, incubates games, and helps create and direct investment into new projects. G4C is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation, led by President Susanna Pollack.

Please visit the G4C website at http://www.gamesforchange.org.

Istation is an award-winning, comprehensive e-learning program used by more than 4 million students and educators around the world. Istation’s computer-adaptive assessments immediately place students on personalized instructional paths unique to their needs. The animated, game-like interface engages students so effectively that they don’t even realize they’re being evaluated.

Istation is led by Chairman and CEO Richard H. Collins. Since its founding in 1998, the Dallas-based firm has seen tremendous growth. The company’s animated learning program now helps students in 44 states and four countries learn and grow.

Please visit the company website at www.istation.com.

NogginLabs Inc. is an award-winning developer of gamified e-learning tools and platforms serving both the internal needs and client needs of major corporations and nonprofit organizations. NogginLabs’ expertise includes e-learning, simulation learning, “gamification,” mobile learning, rapid learning, learning portals and overall learning strategies. The company has been selected by Transformance, Inc. to develop the Pocket Change mobile app.

Founded in 1997, NogginLabs is led by CEO Traci Knudson and Founder Brian Knudson and operates out of its Chicago headquarters.

Please visit the company website at www.nogginlabs.com.

Lumos Partners is a tech sector-focused boutique investment banking firm with offices in Dallas, Texas, and Silicon Valley bringing extensive operational and funding experience in SaaS, cloud storage and computing, telecom and Internet, e-commerce, digital media, consumer tech, education tech, financial tech, health care information technology and health care devices. Lumos served as the exclusive financial adviser to GoFundMe in its 2015 recapitalization. Six founders are veterans of the tech sector and have combined deal experience exceeding $30 billion in transaction value. Firm principals include Vivek Goyal, Eddie Le and Eric Kim.

Lumos Partners is a Securities and Exchange Commission-registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Please visit the firm website at www.lumospartners.com.

Jeffrey Cheatham

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TrizCom PR

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