TOPICS & CATEGORIES
By Terri M. Bernhardt
The 2013 Serious Games Showcase & Challenge (SGS&C) winners were announced at a “standing room only” ceremony in Warfighters Corner at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) Thursday, Dec. 4. With 17 games exhibited on the floor during the 4-day I/ITSEC show, more than 15,000 attendees were presented with a diverse cross-section of what is possible in the field of Serious Games. New in the 2013 Challenge was a partnership with Orange County (FL) Public Schools (OCPS) to create the Students’ Choice Award. Six of the finalists competed for the new award chosen by a selection of OCPS students.
Presenting the winning award for Best Mobile Serious Game (GORRDEE) are (L-R) Roger Caldwell (USAF), Jennifer McNamara (Breakaway), Admiral James Robb (NTSA), Dr. Peter Smith (ADL), Adam Kingsborough (Camber Corp), Colonel Peter Eide, (Air Force Materiel Command) and Frank DiGiovanni (OSD).
The 2013 SGS&C winners are:
• Students’ Choice – Algeburst by Muzzy Lane Software
• Best Business Developed Serious Game – MACBETH by University of Oklahoma
• Best Government Developed Serious Game – Decisive Combat by Singapore Armed Forces Center for Leadership Development
• Best Student Developed Serious Game – A Slower Speed of Light by MIT Game Lab
• Best Mobile Serious Game – GORDEE by US Army PdM-Ground Maneuver
• Special Interest Category – Adaptive Force Training – MACBETH by University of Oklahoma; and
• People’s Choice – GORDEE by US Army PdM-Ground Maneuver
The Orange County Public School’s group of students who evaluated the SGS&C Students’ Choice Award Games during Teach In.
The goal of Serious Games Showcase & Challenge is to identify innovative game-based technologies and solutions that improve training across all segments for individuals, groups and systems. SGS&C opens the door for game developers to put their work in front of some of the best gaming and simulation companies in the world. Submissions arrive from individuals, small and large businesses and can be targeted to training in any segment, including education, corporate, or military.
The Serious Games Showcase & Challenge has seen tremendous growth since its inception in 2006. “The SGS&C gets bigger and better every year,” stated Dr. Peter Smith, SGS&C Co-Founder. “This year’s Serious Games Showcase & Challenge was one of the best with an increased number of entries, more categories and a growth in interest from our younger generation. We look forward to continuing to build greater awareness amongst students, and showing them the potential for jobs in this field.”
“Modeling and simulation are creating great demand for ever more diverse and targeted Serious Games, both for their intrinsic value and for incorporation into broader simulation environments,” said James Robb, President of the NTSA, organizers of I/ITSEC.
The SGS&C finalists were reviewed by an esteemed panel of worldwide evaluators to determine the winners in each category. Students in OCPS middle and high schools determined the winner of the newly formed Students’ Choice Award and the winner of the People’s Choice Award was determined by I/ITSEC attendees. Next year’s submission period opens in August. For more information, visit www.sgschallenge.com.
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