Best Buy Foundation and Xbox’s 2026 Minneapolis Game Camp was a free, 12-week game-development program for selected Best Buy Teen Tech Center members ages 18–19 in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. From June 15 to September 3, participants learned with Xbox and Microsoft mentors, received a stipend, and built original game prototypes. They presented their work at Best Buy headquarters on September 3.
What is Xbox Game Camp?
Xbox Game Camp is a program built around helping aspiring creators develop games with guidance from industry mentors. Best Buy says it was founded in 2020 on the belief that “extraordinary talent resides everywhere.” The Minneapolis camp was a local partnership between Xbox and the Best Buy Foundation, delivered through nearby Best Buy Teen Tech Centers—not a one-day event or a general enrollment camp.
Xbox describes the broader program as spanning multiple camps. Best Buy’s program page, accessed October 7, 2026, reports more than 3,665 participants across 15 camps, 350-plus mentors, and over 30 commercial games launched. Those are global program figures, not outcomes attributable to the Minneapolis cohort. Best Buy’s Xbox Game Camp page
Who could participate in Xbox Game Camp Minneapolis?
The announced Minneapolis cohort was for aspiring game creators ages 18–19 who were members of Best Buy Teen Tech Centers in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding areas. Xbox announced that the camp was designed for 50 participants. Best Buy described it as free for selected eligible members; the announcement does not indicate that it was open to anyone outside the Teen Tech Center network. Xbox’s April 15, 2026 announcement and Best Buy’s announcement
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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.
What did participants do during the 12 weeks?
The camp ran June 15 through September 3, 2026. Participants worked from initial concepts toward playable prototypes, learning about several parts of making a game rather than focusing on only programming.
- Design and engineering: shaping game ideas and building playable experiences.
- Storytelling and art: developing a game’s narrative and visual elements.
- Marketing: considering how to present and promote a game.
- Mentorship and community: working with Xbox and Microsoft experts, with local support from participating Teen Tech Centers.
Best Buy’s October 6 recap says the Twin Cities creators completed the 12-week experience and showcased original games at Best Buy headquarters on September 3. Best Buy’s October 6, 2026 recap
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Was the camp paid, and who owned the games?
The Foundation provided each participant with a stipend, according to Best Buy’s recap. The official sources reviewed do not state the stipend amount, so the payment cannot be compared with a particular wage or expense. Best Buy also says participants retain ownership of their prototypes. Its program page states that Microsoft and Xbox make no claim to participants’ intellectual property, platform exclusivity, or first rights of refusal.
Did participants need to bring their own gaming equipment?
The announcements say participants learned at their local Teen Tech Centers, and they do not say participants had to buy or bring personal equipment. Best Buy’s program page features gaming laptops and Xbox hardware in an optional “Gear up for Game Camp” section; that does not establish that those products were required or used by this Minneapolis group.
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- SAVE AND SWITCH PROFILES — Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly with the dedicated Profile button. Even pick which color the XBOX button lights up as.
What did the Minneapolis camp lead to?
The documented outcome is a completed program in which participants presented original prototypes at the September 3 showcase. Best Buy and Xbox describe mentorship, learning, and access to the Xbox Game Camp alumni network, but the official sources do not report individual career outcomes for this cohort. Olivia Jefferson, Best Buy’s vice president of social impact, said, “Opportunities like XBOX Game Camp give young people the space to create, learn directly from mentors and see new possibilities for their futures.” Peter Zetterberg, senior director of XBOX Game Camp, said, “Our belief is that when you provide the tools, encouragement and access to networks, people thrive.” Best Buy’s recap
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- 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.
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- CORE ESSENTIALS: Includes just the components you need to unleash your best game. Additional components sold separately for even more customization with the Complete Component Pack.
- LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION: Exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox Accessories app—even pick which color the Xbox button lights up with.*
- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
- EXTENDED GAMEPLAY: Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of battery life and refined components that are built to last.*
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