Microsoft seems to thinks so, so they set up a new institute to study it. From ItProPortal.com:
Microsoft Corp. has come up with a new learning institute in a bid to help researchers to comprehend the constructive influence of video games on gamers.
In order to learn the impact of video games on gamers, the software giant has invested a whopping $1.5 million into the new institute, dubbed as “The Game for Learning Institute (GfLI)”, a collaborative endeavour from the New York University and other colleges.
The company, which publishes a variety of games ranging from Halo to Gears of War, is analyzing the response of gaming enthusiasts to spot whether video gaming can enhance the learning capabilities in classrooms.
Quoting the objective behind the new learning institute, Microsoft’s head of gaming research John Nordlinger, said in a statement “We want to figure out what’s compelling about the games. If we can find out how to make the games fun and not make them so violent, that would be ideal”.
Researchers already have kicked off their research study on a few middle school students to see if video gaming is beneficial in enhancing their learning practices.
However, Microsoft isn’t the first to do this kind of research, as researchers from the University of Wisconsin have purported that playing “World of Warcraft” can boost scientific thinking.
Walsh is far from the typical gamer stereotype. With an addictive smile, impressive contract and his own groupies it was a shock to him when the league and Walshy’s teammates both recently betrayed him… without even letting him know.
A new pilot program by AllState Insurance is checking to see if there is a correlation between playing computer games and lack of car accidents. The study will see drivers aged 50-75 play specially designed games with the thesis that age-related cognitive decline can be reversed, and driving improved. Read more…
A terrorist watches over a hostage in the DIA’s Sudden Thrust game. No, you don’t get to shoot him.In the wake of the intelligence bungles that propelled the United States into the Iraq war, it’s no secret that the nation’s spies have been working to improve the quality of their analysis. Now the top U.S. military intelligence agency has come up with a new tool for teaching recruits critical thinking skills: videogames.
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency has just taken delivery of three PC-based games, developed by simulation studio Visual Purple under a $2.6 million contract between the DIA and defense contractor Concurrent Technologies. The goal is to quickly train the next generation of spies to analyze complex issues like Islamic fundamentalism. more…
According to Michael Peck
GIG HARBOR, WA — (MARKET WIRE) — March 21, 2007 — Gottaplay Interactive, Inc. today announced the relaunch of its highly anticipated revolutionary website (www.gottaplay.com). Now, when members visit Gottaplay.com, they will be able to rent, buy, and trade videogames at one online destination. In launching the new site, Gottaplay’s mantra is “Gamers Unite!,” because the site also serves as a community driven network that allows its users to communicate, share and generate videogame oriented content.”Our goal with the new Gottaplay site is to offer unprecedented opportunities for video gamers,” said John P. Gorst, the CEO of Gottaplay. “We bring three key features together: we are a premier shopping and rental site for video games; we are the only targeted trading site for videogames; and, we provide a social/information network for video gamers. We expanded our services to be the one-stop site on the web for all gamers’ needs.”
As always, Gottaplay members will be able to rent an unlimited number of videogames. Users develop an online queue or “wish list” of the games they would like to play, and have the top games on their list sent directly to their home. When a user returns a game, the next game queued up is automatically sent to them.
“Our nine strategically located shipping centers allow us to ensure that 95% of our users will get their games within two to three days,” said Gorst. “This is a real differentiator for us.”
For gamers who don’t wish to just rent a videogame, but own their own copy, they can purchase them directly through the site’s retail section.
The new site also gives members the unique ability to trade amongst themselves in a video game “market.” In order to ensure that members are swapping videogames for their true market value, games will be given a point ranking based upon newness, popularity, and member input. Those points will be redeemable for other swaps.
“This provides extraordinary opportunities for gamers,” said Gorst. “We’re going to be creating an actual real-time guide that will be able to price members’ videogames, so our members will always know what their old games are worth on the market. Our members are integral to this process.”
The social networking aspect of the site will allow users to interact directly to share gaming experiences as well as meet and communicate with gamers from all over the world. The site will allow members to develop and customize profile pages to find other gamers with similar interests, as well as post game reviews and share tips, hints, and cheat codes.
According to the Entertainment Software Association, US computer and video game software sales was a $7.4 billion dollar business in 2006 at a six percent growth rate. The trade in market is also huge, with more than $1 billion per year in used game sales in the United States alone.
The Entertainment Software Association reports that sixty-nine percent of American heads of households play computer video games. “We expect a growing number of families to join our site as well as single players. With this launch we are upending the status quo,” says Gorst. “We have created a venue for gamers powered by gamers, where anything is possible.”
About Gottaplay Interactive, Inc.
Gottaplay Interactive is a publicly traded leading online gaming rental company. It features free home delivery and unlimited access to an extensive gaming library for a flat monthly fee. No due dates, No late fees — it is simple, economical and convenient. Game titles are delivered via mail from multiple distribution centers established throughout the continental U.S. For more information, please visit Gottaplay at www.gottaplay.com.
If the Federation of American Scientists made a list of educational videogames, you might expect to find Oregon Trail, the story of Conestoga wagons trekking into the American West, or the geography favorite Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? And don’t forget Half-Life 2. That’s the one where you burn alien zombies to death with exploding barrels of fuel.
Some commercial games are already being used in the classroom. The Civilization series lets users build empires in ancient Persia and other historical periods, and RollerCoaster Tycoon, where players construct a theme park, combines physics and business management. And the U.S. military makes extensive use of video simulations: the Army reports 7.6 million users have registered for America’s Army, a training and recruiting game.
Read more.
Not really surprising. I see a future where a lot of training will be done in a virtual environment facilitated by video game technology.
Soldiers these days have had years of practice by playing violent video games, athletes admit to getting an edge by playing games too, as did Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins.
Over the next few years, corporate training, especially in areas of services where you need to exercise judgment calls will rely on video games.
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