The Web 2.0, social networking and ‘Serious Games’

The massive interest in what is collectively termed ‘Web 2.0’ technologies and services shows no signs of abating indeed it continue to accelerate.

PIXELearning have seen a marked up-take in traffic on Serious Games community web sites [ such as http://seriousgames.ning.com ] and indeed two of our largest contracts were initiated through enquiries which came about through web sources such as Google and YouTube, but what impact will this have on the use of game and simulation approaches to learning and how can companies like PIXELearning benefit?

The well-respected eLearning specialist, ROI expert and frequent eLearning Age magazine columnist Richard Naish of Qi Concepts has published two articles on the potential for applying Social Networking and Collective Intelligence for training purposes.

You can access these and other interesting articles at:

www.qiconcepts.co.uk/elearning.html

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Project news

In recent months, PIXELearning has secured several new projects with globally-recognised clients in multiple business sectors including auditing, food & drink and banking. We also expect to be able to announce several new large contract wins in Q3 2007.

This supports the many sources predicting rapid increases in eLearning games/simulations adoption such as the eLearning Guild whose member research concluded that there will be a 72% growth in simulation/scenario-based eLearning.

Highlights of 2006 so far include:

• Securing a large contract with a US-based ‘Big 4’ accountancy firm (intern training)

• Securing a contract with Global Lead, a US management consultancy firm, to create a large simulation to deliver diversity and inclusion training. The initial sponsors are a large US retail bank and a huge company in the convenience foods sector that owns several well-known brands.

• Undertaking further casual games development for Coca Cola to support the marketing efforts to their B2B sales & distribution chain.

• Assisting Retail Skillsmart to deploy the Retail Skillsmart game to thousands of UK secondary schools as part of their efforts to change perception of careers options in the retail sector.

• Deploying an advanced simulation for Proton Europe enabling European universities to plan and implement strategies and operation plans for commercialising research and IP.

• Commencing the development of short intranet-based ‘viral games’ for 3M to help them to improve internal company communications.

• Commencing development of an online simulation aimed at better enabling managers of social businesses to operate in a sustainable and legally-compliant way.

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Conference season is upon us

PIXELearning have been invited to present at several notable Serious Games and related conferences over the coming months including Serious Games Session (Lyon) in December. Our CEO, Kevin Corti, recently presented several project case studies at Apply Serious Games ’07 at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London. If you are interested in knowing when these and similar conferences are happening just visit our web site (under ‘resources’) or drop us an email.

All PIXELearning presentations get made available online at the following URL:

www.pixelearning.com/serious_games-white_papers.htm

 

New product release dates

PIXELearning continues to expand it’s portfolio of ‘off-the-shelf’ interactive learning simulations (aka ‘Serious Games’).

In addition to the current products which support Business Studies education (GCSE students) and general business awareness/acumen-building (adults) we will shortly be releasing The Finance Game (TFG).

'TFG' is based upon the current version of our LearningBeans^® business simulation engine and benefits from many recent enhancements to this rapidly expanding technology platform. TFG is based around a scenario in which the learner is appointed to attempt to turnaround an ailing business. Their role is to focus on the financial performance of this business and they have three years to hit pre-determined revenue and profitability targets.

TFG is aimed at the classic requirement for ‘finance for non-financial managers’ training and can be used in isolation or alongside other eLearning or instructor-lead courses.

Other products scheduled for release this year include:

• The Social Enterprise Game (sustainability, good governance & legal compliance of not for profit companies)

• The Retail Game (introduction to key retail concepts for teenagers and young adults)

• The Creative Business Game (running creative businesses in a sound commercial manner)

• The Enterprise Game v2 (improved features and functionality)

In addition PIXELearning will be selling a version of the Diversity & Inclusion training simulation that we are currently developing in partnership with the US-based Global Lead management consultancy.

This is a cutting-edge application the previews of which have already wooed audiences at recent E-learning Network and Apply Serious Games conferences.

See the PIXELearning products page on our web site for more information

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PIXELearning workshops programme continues

We recently organised the 4th in a series of ‘hands on’ Serious Games workshops at the Design Centre at Coventry University Technology Park. Attendees included training and HR professionals from BT, KPMG, The Nottingham Building Society, Coventry City Council, Warwick University and Coca Cola.

PIXELearning offer these workshops as a way for training and HR professionals to see and try a selection of different applications that use game and simulation techniques for learning purposes.

Our next workshop will be at the new Serious Games Institute in Coventry in September. Please email Richard Smith if you would like an invite for this or a future event.

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PIXELearning are moving

We are pleased to announce that PIXELearning will be packing it’s bags and making the short journey to the new Serious Games Institute in early September.

The ‘SGI’ will host several companies working in the field of serious games as well as being a hub for applied research into serious games technology, market adoption and pedagogy.

Rest assured that you will still be able to reach us on the current telephone numbers.