Ready for the details? Get the 2022 Official Rules document or read on for an overview.
NEW for 2022!
The awards structure has been updated to be based upon the target audience for the game submission for government and business, not developer category
To qualify for the Government Audience Game Award, the Entrant Game should be built specifically for national or local government or defense purposes, including the game learning objectives, themes, story, and overall play. Examples include but are not limited to military tactics, equipment, or procedures, law enforcement, cybersecurity, tactical combat care and triage, veterans’ health and affairs, public works, and space. Funders and developers of the game can be private or government entities.
To qualify for the General Audience Game category, the entrant game should be built for a general audience, including the game learning objectives, themes, story, and overall play. Examples include but are not limited to corporate training, general education, general health/healthcare and wellness, public interest, etc. Funders and developers of the game can be private or government entities.
- For more information see the 2022 Official Rules document or read on for an overview.
To qualify for the Challenge…
Game entries must:
- Have clearly defined, measurable learning objectives
- Provide players with a clearly identified challenge/problem
- Make use of gaming technology
- Provide players with positive/negative feedback with respect to progress toward the game’s challenge and achievement of learning objectives
- Be original games (as opposed to novel uses of existing games)
- NOT be modifications to existing games
- Be intended for an audience of 12 years of age (US 6th grade) or older.
Acceptable platforms
Desktop Platforms
- Windows (version 10 or higher)
Mobile Platforms
SGS&C will accommodate the following mobile device platform applications:
- 16 GB storage memory
- 2 GB RAM or lower
Operating Systems
- Apple iOS, all platforms (version 12.x or newer)
- Android phone (version 8.x or newer)
- Android tablet (version 8.x or newer)
- Mobile Web (any mobile browser capable of supporting HTML5 and JavaScript)
Other platforms may be accommodated as a special device as outlined in the 2022 SGS&C Rules.
AR/VR/MR (Collectively XR) Platforms
The following Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), or Mixed Reality (MR) experiences are supported:
- HTC Vive
- Oculus Rift, CV1 Edition
- HoloLens, Development Edition
- Windows Mixed Reality Devices
Other XR platforms may be accommodated as a special device as outlined in the 2022 SGS&C Rules.
Student Entry Requirements
There is an Award Category specifically to recognize the work of student developers. Games developed by professional developers or faculty members at a university are not considered eligible to enter the student category. Student entries are expected to be created by students. The student team must be comprised of students that were enrolled in middle school, high school, college or trade‐school for majority of the development process. The team must not have employed professional developers who were not students. Faculty members can be advisers to student teams, but the bulk of the work must have been done by the students.
If your game was developed at a University (public or private) and was developed by a non-student team, your game is considered to qualify only as a Business Entry.
FAQ
Still Confused or have more questions? Please take the time to consult our FAQ. If your question is not answered or you need more clarification do not hesitate to ask by emailing SGSChallenge@gmail.com for Help and Support.
When can I submit my game?
Game submission opens July 22nd, 2022 and closes September 2nd, 2022. All games must be submitted in this window to be eligible for the 2022 Challenge.
I have sent in my entry form, signed rules, screen shots, logo, and video. What else do you need for my entry?
A WORKING, PLAYABLE version of your game. We evaluate each game by actually playing it, so a video or storyboard is not sufficient. Beta versions or single levels of a planned multi-level game are acceptable, but we must be able to evaluate the actual gameplay. Also, if there is not a tutorial or stated objective included in the game, please provide basic instructions on gameplay and goals/objectives, including supporting material if any specialized knowledge or procedures are required and not embedded in the game.
My game won’t be ready until I/ITSEC in December. Can I still submit this year?
We need a working, playable version of the game submitted by the end of the entry period in September. Due to the large number of high quality entries we receive, we can’t put every game on the floor at I/ITSEC, and we need to see a playable version for our finalist selection process, which starts in early October after the submission window closes. Finalists are given an opportunity to update their game for evaluators, and can bring an updated version to the I/ITSEC event to display.
Can I submit my game if it is a mod of another game?
Serious Games Showcase & Challenge does not support “modded” games. Only original creations are allowed.
My game required a special controller or a security dongle to play properly. Is this acceptable?
Yes, you can still submit. You must provide ONE piece of specialized hardware (controller, security dongle, etc.) by the end of submission period, and be prepared to provide TEN pieces of hardware by mid-October if you are selected as a finalist.
I am a middle school student with a serious game. Can I submit in the Student Category?
Entrants must be individuals, or comprised solely of individuals who will be 12 years of age on or before the first day of the I/ITSEC conference. Entrants under the age of 18 must include their parent or legal guardian on the entry form as part of their development team, and identify them as such. If you will not be meet the age requirement this year, you will still be able to submit in a future year as long as you were a student in the academic year prior to your submittal.
I’ve developed a great game editor geared towards creating serious games. Is this a valid submission?
An entry that is purely a game editor will not be able to be evaluated, since our criteria are primarily based on playing the submitted game and the associated learning/training objectives. Games that include an editor or mission creation feature are fine, as long as the existing game is primary submission.
I can’t travel to I/ITSEC if I am selected as a finalist. Is this ok?
If you are selected as a finalist, you are required to attend I/ITSEC or provide a proxy to display your game on the show floor. This requires someone to be available for the full duration of I/ITSEC.
Can I submit my game if it contains For Official Use Only (FOUO) or Classified material?
Please note that there will be international evaluators and international attendees at I/ITSEC. It is your responsibility to ensure that any version of the game you submit and potentially display at I/ITSEC meets all security requirements to be show to a general, international audience.
I am a foreign national with a serious game. Can I enter?
International entries are highly encouraged. If you game is played primarily in a language other than English, you will be required to provide enough translated material for our evaluators to adequately play and evaluate your game.
Is there a cost or entrance fee involved with participating in the challenge?
There is a non-refundable application fee that must be submitted in conjunction with the entry form in order for the entry to be officially entered. The application fee may be paid by credit card using the link found on the Submissions page. THE APPLICATION FEE IS WAIVED FOR ENTRANTS REGISTERING UNDER THE STUDENT AND GOVERNMENT CATEGORIES AS DEFINED IN THE RULES.
What is I/ITSEC and where can I learn more about the conference?
The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) promotes cooperation among the Armed Services, Industry, Academia and various Government agencies in pursuit of improved training and education programs, identification of common training issues and development of multiservice programs. To learn more about the conference and its details, please visit their website at: http://www.iitsec.org/
Where is the I/ITSEC convention held?
I/ITSEC is held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. To learn more about the area please refer to The OCCC website.
Ready to enter the Challenge?
Be sure to download the 2022 Official Rules for all the submission details.
Be sure to visit the Submissions page for more details.