Games Get Serious

Just one day after the release of the annual violent video game report card, a new Reuters story discusses the increasing importance of game technologies in training people.

Video games, often maligned as having little or no redeeming value, are becoming a way for firefighters, soldiers, currency traders and college administrators to hone their skills.

The story does give a nice overview of the current "serious games" marketplace that is evolving. At the Austin Game Conference, there were small discussions about licensing current game engines for use by third-parties to create more socially acceptable products (read that as "fireman training", and not as "I think games aren't acceptable").

Just last month, there was a Serious Games summit in Washington, D.C. If you missed it, you should check out the website and the blog.