Nate McAnally is the co-founder of startup Green Forest XR in Canada, which builds mixed reality games and delivers immersive game design workshops to schools. He has been using the Makers Empire 3D modelling app in his school workshops and after-school programs so we spoke with him to find out how he’s using Makers Empire to enhance learning.
Nate, what led you to your current role?
“I began my career creating video games at Electronic Arts in Canada, and since then, I’ve held various design roles across multiple industries. One of the most memorable chapters of my career was serving as the Creative Director at Lululemon, where I had the privilege of leading a wide range of disciplines and collaborating with incredibly talented people—experiences that took me around the globe.
“In recent years, I’ve found a passion for teaching immersive game design to students ranging from children to adults. This journey into teaching began organically, inspired by my two endlessly curious sons. As I shared my work with them, it sparked the idea for my wife and I to co-found our startup, Green Forest XR.
“Since then, I’ve been leading after-school programs in schools across the Vancouver area and conducting workshops during school hours. It’s been incredibly rewarding to inspire curiosity and creativity in others through the intersection of technology and design.”
What drew you to this kind of work?
“For me, it comes down to two key motivations. First, I grew up during a time when “video games are bad” was a common narrative. But when I joined a company that actually made video games, I was blown away by how much knowledge in math, physics, art, and even science goes into creating them. I believe making video games is an incredible vehicle for learning because it provides real-world, engaging use cases that resonate with the audience. The abundance of digital tools available today for creative expression continues to amaze me, and my goal is to share what I’ve learned with kids who are eager to explore these tools.
“Second, I recently hit my mid-life crisis. But instead of buying a convertible, I decided to channel my energy into something more meaningful: creating something that could leave the world a little better than I found it. This is my way of making that contribution. ;)”
How are you using Makers Empire in your workshops?