I/ITSEC Serious Games Challenge Calls for Submissions 2

The Interservice/Industrial Training, Simulation and Education conferences (I/ITSEC) has sent a call out to serious game developers to submit their original serious games for the 2007 I/ITSEC Serious Games Showcase and Challenge. While the overarching purpose of the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge has been in previous years to identify innovative game based solutions to problems that could affect the U.S. military, this year's event is expanding its scope to include any genre, such as business, education or government. The competition is open to all gaming design contestants, while officials note that students and small businesses “are especially encouraged to submit.” Game concept summaries for entries are due by May 31, and the actual serious games entries are due August 31. The entries will be judged by representatives in leading gaming, academic, military and industry companies, and finalists will be invited to showcase their serious game at I/ITSEC Conference November 26-29, 2007, where over 16,000 attendees will view and vote on each of the entries. Awards will be presented to the top finishers in each category. All entries will be judged in three primary areas: Solution to a Stated Problem, Technical Quality, and Playability/Usability. Contestants are encouraged with their submissions to clearly define the problem or need that is being addressed, as well as the gaming or game technology solution involved. Submissions should not only be technologically sound in their development, delivery and user interface, but also engaging, enjoyable, and easy to use, thus providing a challenging and rewarding experience to the user. For more information on the 2007 I/ITSEC Serious Games Showcase and Challenge, including registration, rule, can be found on the official Serious Games Challenge website.