Serious Games and Simulations. The business of using videogames or videogame technologies for purposes other than entertainment.

Serious GamesSerious Gamesandand

SimulationsSimulations

The business of using The business of using videogames or videogame videogames or videogame technologies for purposes technologies for purposes other than entertainment.other than entertainment.

““Learning to Do”Learning to Do”vs. vs.

“Learning to Know”“Learning to Know”

Simulations

Games Immersive Learning

Computer Games

Serious Games

Educational Simulations

a typical “Sim” examplea typical “Sim” example

SimulationsSimulations

Massive multi-playersMassive multi-players Real-world Real-world

environmentsenvironments Informal learningInformal learning Social networksSocial networks Circle of Interactive Circle of Interactive

MediaMedia

Sims

Second Life

Circle of Interactive MediaCircle of Interactive Media

Actions, reflected in Actions, reflected in the interfacethe interface

How the actions How the actions impact relevant impact relevant systemssystems

How systems produce How systems produce feedback, outcomes, feedback, outcomes, resultsresults

communication

optionsaction

You can’t learn to rideYou can’t learn to ridea bike from a book!a bike from a book!

Simulations

Games Immersive Learning

Computer Games

Serious Games

Educational Simulations

Immersive Learning SimulationsImmersive Learning Simulations

Branching storyBranching story Interactive spreadsheetsInteractive spreadsheetsPractice-warePractice-wareReal-time StrategyReal-time StrategyGod gamesGod gamesSide quests? Mini games?Side quests? Mini games?

Practice-ware

Mastery in the “real world”Mastery in the “real world”

Simulations

Games Immersive Learning

Computer Games

Serious Games

Educational Simulations

Educational SimulationsEducational Simulations

Develop real skills through emergent Develop real skills through emergent learninglearning

Single, multi, or massive multi playerSingle, multi, or massive multi playerDesign based as part of larger programDesign based as part of larger programCan scale from mini-game to complexCan scale from mini-game to complex

Increasing awareness through Increasing awareness through “edu-tainment”“edu-tainment”

Simulations

Games Immersive Learning

Computer Games

Serious Games

Educational Simulations

Human Computer InteractionHuman Computer Interaction

Serious GamesSerious Games

Making learning “fun”Making learning “fun” Diagnostic vs. Diagnostic vs.

instructionalinstructional Repurposed Repurposed

traditional contenttraditional content Scaled small for easy Scaled small for easy

accessaccess Designed to be Designed to be

addictiveaddictive

Serious GamesSerious Games

InfluenceInfluence ExplanationExplanation Message / EditorialMessage / Editorial MarketingMarketing Commerce (Buy IT!)Commerce (Buy IT!) The use of game The use of game

technology for technology for deepening brand deepening brand engagementengagement

Games for EntertainmentGames for EntertainmentMediated by technologyMediated by technology

Simulations

Games Immersive Learning

Computer Games

Serious Games

Educational Simulations

The World of ComputerThe World of Computerand Video Gamesand Video Games

How Video Games differ from How Video Games differ from Immersive EducationImmersive Education

Optimized for the engagement of playersOptimized for the engagement of playersTend toward high-conflict situationsTend toward high-conflict situationsMore abstract situationsMore abstract situationsAbstract interfacesAbstract interfacesPure fantasy and escapismPure fantasy and escapism

Some of our favorite “genres”Some of our favorite “genres”

First person shooters (fps)First person shooters (fps)Real time strategy (rts)Real time strategy (rts)Role playing games (rpg)Role playing games (rpg)Puzzle, arcade, casual gamingPuzzle, arcade, casual gamingRacing gamesRacing gamesGod gamesGod gamesSportsSports

Some of our favorite “genres”Some of our favorite “genres”

Tomorrow's Games?Tomorrow's Games?