This document discusses serious games, which are games used for purposes other than pure entertainment such as education or training. It defines different types of games and notes that gamers come from all age groups and backgrounds. Serious games are beneficial as they provide interactive, risk-free practice and promote retention through repetition. Current examples cover a wide range of topics from health to history to simulations. Future potential uses include alternative devices, augmented reality games, and improved virtual worlds. Resources for further information are also listed.

1. Serious Games:
Present & Future
BY TOM CRAWFORD
CEO, VIZTHINK
SEPTEMBER 25, 2007

2. Agenda
 Definitions
 Who are Gamers?
 Why use Serious Games?
 What are the Current State of Serious Games?
 What is the Future of Serious Games?
 What Resources are Available?
 Q&A

3. A Few Definitions
 Video Game – Console, computer, or handheld game
 Console Game – Played on a dedicated gaming device and
displayed on a TV
 Computer Game – Played on a PC (or Mac), and displayed on a
computer monitor
 Handheld Game – Played on a very portable, dedicated gaming
device and displayed on a built in screen

4. A Few Definitions
 Video Game – Console, computer, or handheld game
 Casual Game – A game that is easy to start, can be
quick to play, and generally does not have a
metaphorical abstraction
 Serious Game – A game or simulation of any type
used for learning or communication.
 Game – competition? goals? rules? fun? learning? I
know it when I see it?

5. Are YOU a Gamer?
When did you last play…
a game…any game?

a video game?

a console game?

a casual game?

a serious game?

When did you last buy…
a game…any game?

a video game?

How would you describe the typical gamer?

6. Who are Gamers? Are You Sure?
What is the average age of game players?
Greater
than 49
24.2%
33
18 to 49
47.6%
Less than 18
28.2%
Source: Entertainment Software Association

7. Who are Gamers? Are You Sure?
What percentage are female?
Women over 18?
31%
38%
Male, 62%
Female, 38%
Boys under 18?
20%
Source: Entertainment Software Association

8. Who are Gamers? Are You Sure?
Are gamers lazy, anti-social slackers?
 93% read books or newspapers regularly
 79% of all ages exercise at least 20 hrs/month
 78% vote regularly
 Gamers spend triple the time on
sports, community, religion, creative, cultural, and
reading compared to non-gamers
Source: Entertainment Software Association

9. Who are Gamers? Are You Sure?
 What is the average age of game buyers?
 40 years old
 Who plays more hours per week adult men or adult
women?
Women = 7.4 hours/week

Men = 7.6 hours/week

 How do they expect that to change?
 53% expect to play as much or more in 10 years
Source: Entertainment Software Association

10. Who are Gamers? Are You Sure?
Source: eMarketer.com

11. What Games Do They Play?
Best Selling Console Games of 2006
Madden NFL 07 - PS2 Final Fantasy XII - PS2
1. 6.
New Super Mario Bros - NDS Brain Age - NDS
2. 7.
Gears of War - 360 Madden NFL 07 - 360
3. 8.
Kingdom Hearts II - PS2 Tom Clancy's GRAW - 360
4. 9.
Guitar Hero 2 - PS2 10. NCAA Football 07 - PS2
5.
All Ages Games
Sports & Racing Games
Youth Games Action/Shooter Games

12. Why Use Serious Games?
 Practice (Learning by Doing)
Martin, Klein, Sullivan from Arizona State

Objectives, Information, Examples, Review, Practice
 Repetition/Habit
William James

 In a realistic, time compressed, risk free
environment
 Freedom of movement leads to retention
Itiel Dror


13. Why Use Serious Games?
 Progressive competency
Source: T. Crawford concepts by J. Gee

14. Why Use Serious Games?
 Telling your own story leads to ownership
Jim Gee, David Shaffer

Source: Halo, Indiana Jones, Project Gotham Racing 3

15. Why Use Serious Games?
 Theory of Transfer
Source: T. Crawford

16. Current Uses: Cooking Skills
Source: Cooking Mama 2

17. Current Uses: Biology
Source: Zoo Tycoon 2

18. Current Uses: History
Source: Civilization III (K. Squire), Revolution (mod)

19. Current Uses: Thinking
Source: Reader Rabbit, Math Blaster, Brain Age

20. Current Uses: Political Statement
Source: Persuasive Games

21. Current Uses: Social Causes

22. Current Uses: Social Causes
Source: Food Force

23. Current Uses: Health
Source: +???, Persuasive Games

24. Current Uses: Health
Source: Dance Dance Revolution, Yourself Fitness!

25. Current Uses: Health
Source: EdHeads, +???, Breakaway Games

26. Current Uses: Simulations
 Enspire
 NexLearn
 Forio
 Adobe Captivate
 BTS
Source: Enspire, NexLearn, Forio

27. Current Uses: Retail Training

28. Current Uses: Machinima
 The Movies
 The Ill Clan
 Red vs. Blue
Source: The Movies

29. Current Uses: Other Serious Games
 Game Shows, Quizzes
Marc Prensky’s Challenge Game

 Classroom Jeopardy
 Metaphors for Practice
Dr. Jim Rosser’s Super Monkey Ball

Source: Games2Train, Classroom Jeopardy, Super Monkey Ball

30. Future Uses: Alternative Devices
Source: Nintendo Wii, Wii Bowling, Guitar Hero 2

31. Future Uses: ARGs & Geo Games
 I Love Bees
 Lost Experience
 World Without Oil
 Pac-Manhattan
 Tourality
 Sidewalk Squirrel
 Geocaching

32. Future Uses: Virtual Worlds
Source: Created by T. O’Driscoll, Revised by T. Crawford

33. Future Uses: Virtual Worlds
Source: ProtonMedia

34. Future Uses: Virtual Worlds
Source: Second Life

35. Future Uses: Visual Realism
Source: Madden Football 2007, Madden Football circ. 1998

36. Other Topics
 Debate: Serious Games are Neither Serious Nor
Games
Debate: Should the Word Game be Used

Debate: What is a Game Anyway?

Debate: Do Games Have to be Fun?

Advergaming


37. What Books are Available?
 Required Reading
 Theory of Fun
 Hamlet on the Holodeck
 What Video Games Have to Teach Us
 Why Video Games are Good for Your Soul
 How Computer Games Help Children Learn
 Digital Game-Based Learning
 Gadgets, Games, and Gizmos for Learning
 Persuasive Games
 Got Game
 Interactive Storytelling

38. What Websites are Available?
http://www.raphkoster.com

 http://jergames.blogspot.com
 http://www.watercoolergames.org
 http://blogoehlert.typepad.com/eclippings
 http://www.escapistmagazine.com
 http://www.joystiq.com
 http://games.slashdot.org
 http://www.seriousgames.org
 http://www.educationarcade.org
 http://terranova.blogs.com
 http://www.socialimpactgames.com
 http://www.digra.org
 http://www.persuasivegames.com

39. Q&A

40. Contact Information
Tom Crawford
CEO, VizThink
thcrawford@thcrawford.com
http://thcrawford.blogspot.com
tcrawford@vizthink.com
http://www.vizthink.com
VizThink ’08
January 27-29, 2008
San Francisco, CA