Scott M. Martin, Dean, Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI), George Mason University James Casey, Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI) Higher education institutions struggle with establishing new models of innovation and entrepreneurship. A typical research funding model is for a faculty member or two (co-PIs) to apply for a federal or private grant to conduct research, and when funded, reduce their teaching load, hire a few GRAs or post-docs to help conducts said research, publish a few papers and/or a book, and writes a final report to the funder. In most cases, the short and long-term impact on the institution, besides the counting of research dollars toward their R-1 status, is negligible at best. The Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI) is a new applied research, innovation, and entrepreneurship model for higher education, and in this case, focused on serious games technology discovery to improve the human condition. This presentation will outline the three major interconnected and inter-related subdivisions of the VSGI: Applied research, community outreach, and startup incubation & acceleration, and their combined impact on the GMU campus, the Prince William County community, Commonwealth of Virginia, and globally.

1. Integrating Academic Programs and
an Applied-Research Institute into an
Undergraduate Overall Educational Experience
Computer
Game Design
The Computer Game Design Programs & Virginia Serious Game Institute
George Mason University | Serious Play Conference

2. As Virginia’s largest university, with three campuses, and with 200 undergraduate and
graduate degree programs, George Mason University is setting the gold standard for the
modern, public university.
Its dynamic culture and innovative academic programs prepare Mason’s hard-working
students for 21st century careers. Its commitment to teaching excellence combines with
cutting-edge research that enriches the academic experience and is literally changing the
world. 2

3. ▪ Founded in 2009;
▪ 11 FT Faculty, 3 FT Staff (2017);
▪ 260+ Undergraduate Majors (2017).
The Mission of the Computer Game Design Program at George Mason
University is to prepare students for employment and further study in
the computer game design and development field, doing so with a
curriculum designed to reflect the gaming industry's demand for an
academically rigorous technical program coupled with an
understanding of the artistic and creative elements of the evolving field
of study.
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Computer Game Design
▪ One of Fastest Growing Academic Programs at GMU;
▪ Only Computer Game Design Major in the Commonwealth of Virginia;
▪ NASAD Accredited with Distinction.

4. ▪ Revolving-role, team-based, project-based unique
pedagogical environment;
▪ Students study both the sciences and the arts (design), and all must take Calculus,
Physics, and Programming, but also Foundation of Visual Art, Sound/Music, and
Writing;
▪ Senior Project/Thesis (Research or Project based for Grad Students), and and
Internship is required of all students.
Computer Game Program
Undergraduate and
Graduate
Curriculum Overview
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5. Internal:
▪ Mason Game & Technology Academy (MGTA)
as a Teaching Assistant, Classroom Assistant
Resident Assistant, Curriculum Developer, or
Primary Instructor;
▪ Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI) Quality Assurance (QA) Intern, Intern for
VSGI resident startups, PT employment as an artist, programmer, sound designer,
writer for VSGI startups, found their own startup;
External:
Current students intern at Bethesda Softworks (20 students currently), EA Studios,
Activision, Schell Games, GovCon Companies, Fed. Agencies, and Grad Schools.
Computer Game Programs
Student Opportunities
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6. 6
• Applied Research
• Community Outreach
• Incubator/Accelerator
VSGI offers Commonwealth schools, businesses and universities hands-on training,
certification, research and development assistance, emerging game company incubation,
rapid prototype development, as well as links into leading edge commercialization outputs
and technologies that will provide market advantage in the areas of simulation, modeling,
and game design for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
▪ Founded in 2012;
▪ Opened in 2014;
▪ 5-10 resident companies;

7. • Interactive Educational Engagement Platform
• Interactive Inter-Professional Education Game Engine
• Interactive Virtual Incident Simulator
• Scenario Based UAV Training Engine
• Multi-user Security Training Environment
The VSGI welcomes a number of corporate, government, or individual clients that are
seeking out solutions to serious gaming needs and we help them develop their ideas
and provide solutions and/or teams to help them develop these solutions.

8. Scriyb is an example of an applied research project that has taken off,
become a resident company, and exceeded expectations.
Launched to fulfill a need in
expanding our community
outreach program, in
conjunction with Amazon and
MGTA, it sprang in to it’s own
company, attracted investors
and clients and stands to be
our breakout success.
Key Areas:
Amazon Web Services
PHP/HTML
Angular/JS
MySQL
HLA/RTMP
LMI LTI
STEM Curriculum

9. IVIS was commissioned by Fairfax Fire and
Rescue as a method to transform their
command competency training.
IVIS has been a huge success internally for the
client and they are currently taking the project to
other counties.
Little Arms Studios and VSGI received a Fire
Chief’s Commendation Award for their work as it
will save lives and has already improved their
training and processes in it’s short time in use.
Key Areas:
Unity/3DS Max
Networking/MP
Mobile/Web Development
Designed as a team based virtual
experience, it simulates a fire call from
start to finish and allows the instructor
to modify and set up scenarios at will.
Key to the simulation was the
development of fire and smoke physics
that accurately reflected real world
demands.

10. Currently in development, Viper is a
multiplayer simulation being researched for the
Department of State as a method to
supplement training for embassy security
forces.
The goal here is to research and
create a replica of embassy and
security training assets for 24
players with up to 24 additional
opfor as part of the simulation.
Key Areas:
Game Engine (Unity/Unreal/VBS)
Modeling 3DS Max
Animation
Networking/Multi-player
After Action Assessment/Review

11. Game Technology Teacher Training Workshops
• Fairfax Public Schools
• Prince William County Schools
• Fauquier County Public Schools
• 1000+ young adults (ages 6-18) per Year
• STEM/Game Design with state of art curriculum
• Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudoun Campuses
• Seminars and Workshops in DMV tri-state area
• Online live synchronous classes held via Scriyb
• Partnership with Envision Experience
• Certificate and adult / corporate classes

12. VSGI Hosts Emerging Serious Gaming Companies
• Can host 10-12 start-ups
• Variety of services and office amenities
• Quality Assurance provided to companies
• Mentorships available:
• Production / Design
• Business / Legal
• Graduates looking for a place to start their business and mitigate risks.
• Undergraduates seeking a place to intern and learn while earning.
• Alumni looking to share in our vibrant lean and agile environment.
• Companies or individuals looking to take their idea to the next level.
Who Can Take
Advantage?

14. Students from 8-80!
K12 focus on STEM
College Students
BFA / MA
Graduates, Alumni,
Startups
Student Entrepreneurs then give back to the community and teach/provide jobs
for the younger generation, creating a self-sustaining creative economic ecosystem!
Students start learning about STEM via the MGTA, get a college degree in Game Design
from GMU, and then intern at a VSGI startup or start their own at the VSGI.

15. ▪ The Computer Game Design Program at Mason is one of most
transformational areas of study in higher education today, where students
study both the sciences and the arts, all in a revolving-role team-based,
project-based new pedagogical environment;
▪ The Computer Game Design Program at Mason educates students not
just about recent tech and tools, but teaches STEM and the Arts with the
proven best practices of Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills.
Summary
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Computer
Game
Design