Anima Interactive is a socially conscious independent game and immersive media studio dedicated to blending art and technology to create transformative experiences. With a team of globally distributed artists, storytellers, and technologists, Anima Interactive leverages the immense potential of interactive media—the largest entertainment medium in the world with over 3 billion gamers—to provoke thought, spark conversations, and drive positive social and cultural change.

Founded on the principle that media shapes culture, and culture shapes society, Anima Interactive explores the power of video games as a tool to foster empathy and awareness. Their debut project, Take Us North, is a narrative adventure/survival game that sensitively portrays the journeys of migrants and asylum seekers attempting to cross the US-Mexico border. Deeply personal to many team members, the project is developed in collaboration with migrants with lived experience, as well as anthropologists, humanitarians, and migration experts, ensuring authenticity and respect for this heavy yet critical subject matter.

By addressing real-world issues, Take Us North seeks to go beyond gameplay, contributing to broader cultural conversations and challenging mainstream narratives that often reduce migration to statistics or divisive rhetoric. With evolving global migration policies, the urgency of this topic cannot be overstated, and Anima Interactive uses the immersive storytelling power of video games to foster greater empathy and awareness.

Karla Reyes, the Founder and Creative Director of Anima Interactive, is a renowned interactive media artist, activist, and educator. With a background in game development at leading studios like Square Enix and Niantic, Karla combines technical expertise with a passion for fostering inclusive representation in creative technology. She also co-founded Code Coven, a global accelerator and classroom for underrepresented talent in the games and immersive media industries, and has collaborated with NGOs such as UNEP and UN Women to promote collective action through gaming initiatives.

Beyond her contributions to the games industry, Karla is also a radio host and DJ, blending her love for music with her dedication to amplifying diverse voices. Learn more here.