In March 2011, President Obama issued a call to action, stating "I'm calling for investments in educational technology that will help create... educational software that's as compelling as the best videogame. I want you guys to be stuck on a videogame that's teaching you something other than just blowing something up." In response, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy initiated a new area of policy analysis focusing specifically on games as a medium with broad potential not just for conceptual learning but also for physical health, mental well-being, job growth and scientific discovery.
This talk will explore the Federal interest in games, review trends in game-related Federal investments, detail the opportunities and challenges related to game R&D at the Federal level, possible partnerships between public and private entities (government, industry, university, small business, etc) and future trends in games that align with the Administration's current agenda.