Gardner Congdon
Application of Game Methodologies

Wednesday, Novemver 14th
Building 3 Auditorium - 11:00 AM
(Cookies at 10:30 AM)

While games have been used in military training for over a hundred years, several factors have led to game-based methods being used in more varied settings and accessible to wider audiences. The popularity of video games coupled with the explosion of consumer computing devices creates a ripe environment for distribution- devices are ubiquitous and people are receptive to installing and using games. Game development tools and game engines are also easier to use and far less expensive, lowering barriers for developers of games and game-based applications. A result of these factors is that games are now being used for training, education, healthcare, evangelism, politics, marketing, and as a platform to conduct citizen science, among others. We will discuss common design elements involved in a game-based approach as well as several examples of training and education applications we have developed. We will also discuss why game development tools are relevant to Augmented/Virtual/Mixed Reality development.

Gardner Congdon is a Solutions Architect at SAIC and runs SAIC’s serious games studio, Big Timber Games in Seattle, WA. His work focuses on developing highly engaging training and education applications using technologies and methods gleaned from video games. He has designed and managed development teams working on diverse topics from wheeled, rotary and fixed wing vehicle operation to first aid instruction to chemistry education. For the last two years he has managed SAIC’s internal research and development investment in virtual, augmented and mixed reality. Currently his interests lie in developing comprehensive, transmedia educational platforms and leveraging game techniques to hack human physiology

IS&T Colloquium Committee Host: Nargess Memarsadeghi

Sign language interpreter upon request: 301-286-7348