Drum roll please for the 2015 SGS&C finalists

By Dolly Rairigh Glass

After months and months of preparation, and three days of playing, evaluating and sorting game submissions from all across the world, the 2015 Serious Games Showcase & Challenge finalists have been selected and will be a part of this year’s Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference in the SGS&C booth (#2481).

“This year’s competition was special to many of us because it celebrates the 10th year of the Challenge, and this is truly a milestone on which we can hang our hats,” said co-founder Kent Gritton. “Each year, we’ve strived to work on aspects that help improve the Challenge and associated processes, and those efforts have produced even greater games, and 2015 is no different. We’re excited about what the future holds for SGS&C, as well as the serious gaming market.”

This year’s finalists carried themes involving various medical applications, computer programming, cybersecurity, forensics and even retail management.

The 2015 SGS&C finalists are:

• ANgST by Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design (Student)
• Badayer Racing by Dubai Police (Government)
• Crash Cart Countdown by VHA SimLEARN (Government)
• Creature 101 by Stottler Henke (Business)
• FoFuuu by Betri Studio (Business)
• Hacknet by Team Fractal Alligator (Student)
• Healthx by University of Utah (Student)
• Mars Game by Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Training (Business)
• MUM-T Strikeforce by U.S. Army PdM-Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Government)
• Particle in a Box: The Quantum Mechanics Game by Georgia Institute of Technology (Student)
• PREP-AR by SAIC (Business)
• Project Desal by Monkeystack (Business)
• Safe Surgery Trainer by Alion Science and Technology (Business)
• Sensitive Site Exploitation by Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office Technical Support Working Group (Government)
• The Suspect by The Project Factory (Business)
• Touching Triton by HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (Business)
• Unsavory by University of Miami (Business)
• Waisimo by MAVI Interactive (Business)

Now that the SGS&C IPT has identified the finalists who will be featured in the SGS&C booth (#2481), it’s up to the distinguished group of evaluators from around the globe to determine 2015’s top games in the business, government, student and mobile categories, as well as the special emphasis award topic of social media crowdsourcing for peer learning. The ever-popular People’s Choice award will be voted on by I/ITSEC attendees, and the Students’ Choice winner will be voted on by student evaluators from Orlando, Florida, and Webster Groves, Missouri.

As the SGS&C has grown, so has the evaluator team. The diversity of the team, the new additions to the group, and those who have been a part of SGS&C since its inception, helps provide great feedback about each game submission. With a variety of input focused on different aspects of the games, there is a well-rounded look at the games, ensuring that all features and benefits are considered.

An exciting piece of the evaluator team growth has been the expanded involvement of University of Central Florida representation, as well as Orange County Public Schools. “Strengthening these relationships is key as the SGS&C prepares to grow its recognition and credibility with other academic institutions, and hopefully their future involvement,” said Gritton.

Finally, in celebration of SGS&C’s 10th anniversary, a special event will take place on Wed., Dec. 2, “The Serious Games Showcase & Challenge: The Next 10 Years of Forging the Future Through Innovation.” This panel will look back to understand the impact that serious games have had thus far, and more importantly, the huge potential that lies ahead. Panelists include, Joe Kreiner (Epic Games), Mike Macedonia, Ph.D. (University of Central Florida), Russell Shilling, Ph.D. (U.S. Department of Education), David Martz (BroadReach Education) and Michael Armbruster, Ed.D. (Orange County Public Schools).