Lord Puttnam to Present Serious Games Awards

British House of Lords labor peer David Puttnam of Queensgate confirmed today that he will be present at the upcoming 4th Annual Apply Serious Games & Virtual Worlds Forum. Puttnam has agreed to present the event's Serious Games Awards, to be held on May 7th, 2009. The competition will issue awards in three categories: Most Popular & Engaging Serious Game, Most Popular & Engaging Virtual World, and Most Popular & Engaging Educational Game. Submissions will be judged by representatives from the serious games and virtual worlds communities. Lord Puttnam previously issued an industry-wide call for serious games development in February. Puttnam encouraged the development of games that tackle global warming issues in particular, noting that "Serious games based upon real-life geography should be vital tools in our fight against climate change." The deadline for submission in the Serious Games Awards is March 31st. The awards ceremony, presented by Lord Puttnam, will take place on May 7th at the Apply Serious Games & Virtual Worlds Forum in London, England.