The Best Buy Foundation and Xbox’s 2026 Minneapolis Game Camp was a 12-week, free program for selected Best Buy Teen Tech Center members ages 18–19 in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Participants learned from Xbox and Microsoft mentors, received a stipend, and developed original game prototypes, which they presented at Best Buy headquarters on September 3, 2026.
What is Xbox Game Camp?
Xbox Game Camp is a Microsoft and Xbox program built around helping aspiring game creators develop their ideas. Best Buy says the global initiative was founded in 2020 on the belief that “extraordinary talent resides everywhere.” Its Minneapolis edition was a partnership with the Best Buy Foundation, delivered with support from local Best Buy Teen Tech Centers.
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Best Buy’s program page reports that Xbox Game Camp has reached more than 3,665 participants across 15 camps, with 350+ mentors and over 30 commercial games launched. Those figures describe the global program, not outcomes from the Minneapolis cohort.
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Who could participate in Xbox Game Camp Minneapolis?
The Minneapolis camp was for selected members of Best Buy Teen Tech Centers in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding areas. Best Buy described the opportunity as free and for ages 18–19; Xbox announced a cohort designed for 50 aspiring creators. The published eligibility was tied to Teen Tech Center participation, rather than being an open enrollment program for anyone in the area.
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What did participants do during the 12 weeks?
Xbox announced camp dates of June 15 through September 3, 2026. Over that period, participants moved from game concepts toward playable prototypes, with hands-on learning and direct mentorship from Microsoft and Xbox experts. Best Buy’s recap describes exploration of design, engineering, storytelling, art, and marketing.
Participants worked at their local Teen Tech Centers and developed original games to present at the conclusion. The cohort showcased its prototypes at Best Buy headquarters on September 3. Best Buy vice president of social impact Olivia Jefferson said, “Opportunities like XBOX Game Camp give young people the space to create, learn directly from mentors and see new possibilities for their futures.”
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- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Did participants receive a stipend, and did they keep their games?
Yes. Best Buy says the Foundation provided each participant with a stipend, but the official sources do not publish an amount. Best Buy also says participants retained full ownership of their prototypes. Its program page says Microsoft and Xbox make no claim to participant intellectual property, platform exclusivity, or first rights of refusal.
Was equipment required?
The announcements describe learning at local Teen Tech Centers and do not say participants had to provide or buy their own equipment. Best Buy’s Game Camp page features gaming laptops and Xbox hardware as associated gear, but it does not establish that participants were required to own or use a particular device.
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How is Minneapolis Game Camp different from other Xbox Game Camps?
Xbox Game Camp is a broader program, while this was a specific 2026 partnership for Teen Tech Center members in the Twin Cities region. Its dates, age range, cohort size, stipend, local delivery, and showcase describe the Minneapolis edition; they should not be assumed to apply to other city or regional camps.
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