I/ITSEC Serious Games Challenge Calls for Submissions

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 2006 I/ITSEC Serious Games Showcase and Challenge. The overarching purpose of the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge is to identify innovative game based solutions to problems that could affect the U.S. military, both today and in the future. The contest will feature twelve finalists who will be picked from the submissions to showcase their serious game at I/ITSEC, to be held in December 2006 in Florida, where over 16,000 attendees will view and vote on each of the entries. The top-voted contestants will be awarded prizes for their submissions in categories ranging from student and very small business, and each category will include room for both "mods" and original development. 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. The deadline for entering the 2006 I/ITSEC Serious Games Showcase and Challenge is July 31, 2006, with the twelve finalists announced on September 30, 2006. The I/ITSEC Conference - Serious Game presentation will take place December 4-6, 2006, and more information on the competition is available at the official Serious Games Challenge website.