The lights are on
Gamers have been advocating the positive effects of video games for years, but today the industry received a considerably more powerful backer: the President of the United States.
Today President Obama announced the launch of the National STEM Video Game Challenge, which aims to motivate children in science, technology, engineering, and math departments with the use of video games. The challenge is being held by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center and E-Line Media, with the help of the ESA, Microsoft, and AMD.
"Our success as a nation depends on strengthening America’s role as the world’s engine of discovery and innovation," said President Obama. "I applaud partners in the National STEM Video Game Challenge for lending their resources, expertise, and their enthusiasm to the task of strengthening America’s leadership in the 21st century by improving education in science, technology, engineering and math."
There are two competitions in this year's challenge: A Youth Prize, which tasks middle school students with designing their own video game; and a Developer Prize, which challenges game developers to create educational games for young children. The National STEM Video Game Challenge runs until January 5. For more information on the challenge, check out the above links.
Email the author Jeff Marchiafava, or follow on Google+, Twitter, and Game Informer.
Obama endorsing anything makes me not want to be apart of it
isnt his wife against video games or something
Lol isin't his wife trying to stop childhood obeciety? And here he is basically supporting it thats gonna be hard to explain.
Good to see him turn around his stance on video games and start to focus on making kids smarter. Guess all the dumbasses over at Fox News, Tea Parties and everyone who follows them has finally gotten to him. Way to fix the problem? Make smarter people...which is something you probably should've focused on years ago, honestly.
Oh boy, another article with Obama in it.
Let me get some popcorn.
Great! It's good to know that one of the most powerful people in the world supports video games and is helping to cultivate talent in the industry.
Let's try to be objective about this, people. Yeah, I know some of you may hate Obama, but this honestly is a huge benefit for the industry. I think all gamers, Democratic or Republican, should be able to appreciate that.
He isn't really advocating FOR video games....He isn't saying "Play more video games", haha. He's more just trying to encourage thinking that gears towards innovation.
Awesome Obama! Its pretty awesome he's saying this. :) He actually supports video games, and he is one of the most powerful men in the world!
Too bad somebody is going to turn this into something bad...
It's sad that No matter what he does he gets crap for it.
Well I've been developing a game using Game Maker for a while now and it's really fun. Too bad I just got out of 8th grade! Make another contest you idiots!
He uses a Mac. Nice...
I like Macs.
That's cool. I wish this had happened back when I was in middle school.
I think this is the first time i've heard somebody this important say something GOOD about videos games! -Sniff- it makes me all teary eyed.
PEDO PREISDENT!
My question is: Why middle school?
Coolness!
This is really cool! Educational games don't have to be boring: I've learned history and strategy playing Civilization, good business practice playing the various Tycoon games, the list goes on. Video games can and do have a positive effect on youth.
Im glad that someone supports video games, and actually states that making them/ playing them can help in education. The lack of focus on educational games or the education needed to make them, has been a problem for people's misconceptions. But I don't like Obama... I wish it was someone else but watev
Thats good if only he would oppose the new video game law.
Sweet.
Huzzah!