Games beyond entertainment Why we need to bother… Games Summit, Bruxelles, 7th November ‘08 Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen, PhD Assistant Professor IT-University Copenhagen CEO, founder Serious Games Interactive

My background MA Psychology PhD Games & learning Jumping between industry & research Research projects Commercial video games for learning Educational potential of video games: GC: Palestine Research project: Serious Games on a Global Market place Computer games Global Conflicts: Palestine Global Conflicts: Latin America +10 games for clients

Why are games important? Today some youngsters learn more from popular media than in schools (e.g. history, citizenship, geography etc.) Today games are out-growing other popular media in importance. It’s a language that can be and are used for communicating world-wide.

A scary thought…? More than 20 games dedicated to the US civil war: No (very few) games dedicated to the French revolution? War of the Roses? Spanish civil war? Most European boys will know more about the US civil war than their own country’s history…

What’s being done... Global Conflicts: Latin America Global Conflicts: Palestine Any representation reflects the culture, society & perceptions of the maker. Would it have happened outside Europe Ex. US seems to have a hard time accepting multiple perspectives on a problem as worthy of pursuit and attention when it comes to controversial topics (terrorism, immigration, corruption, slavery etc.) [Trailer: GC:LA]

"It's a really cool way to learn. Teachers should use this” (student1) "Instead of someone telling you how it is; you get to experience it and work it out” (student2) "It sticks better when you have to work things out for yourself” (student3) Qualitative feedback (students)

"It's a great way to learn… Students are active seekers of knowledge" (teacher1) "We really need something like this. We scream for it because there is so little like it.” (teacher2) "It brings the conflict much closer. The problem with these conflicts are that students don't feel anything for them, because they are safe and secure here.“(teacher3) Qualitative feedback (teachers)

Summary Games are the future language for learning… but we should expand the range beyond US-inspired edutainment titles. A good learning game: Provide immersive, realistic & meaningful environments… …..in which learners actually apply information to develop knowledge, attitudes and skills.

Contact details Serious Games Interactive Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen © Serious Games Interactive