I am serious and don't call me Shirley...

A term which seems to be thrown around a lot currently by people both in and out of the games industry is Serious Games. This term doesn't refer to a game that has no sense of humor, it is actually an entire genre of games which use the games technology for purposes other than just entertainment.

Serious Games can span from training simulations such as the tactical Language and Culture Training System by Alelo Inc (http://www.tacticallanguage.com) to awareness simulations such as Melting Point, an educational project about global warming by CogniToy.

So what does this have to do with me or my art?

Despite still being in my second year of university I have already begun work on my final year project which happens to fall into the serious game genre.

(Title screen from initial pitch presentation)

The game, entitled The Pathfinder Project, aims to expose adults and children to the wonders of the British outdoors whilst also developing skills such as map reading and navigation through a series of challenges without needing to step out of the front door. The Pathfinder Project hopes to spark the natural explorer in young and old alike, and encourage them to return to a pastime of enjoying the wonderful natural environments Britain has to offer.

The concept is of course still in its early stages and is going to go through many changes before the specific details are finalized.

Stay tuned for more updates as and when they happen.