20 Years of Serious Games: Submit or Serve in SGS&C 2025

As the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge (SGS&C) continues its 20th anniversary celebration, there’s still time to be part of the legacy. Whether you’re building the next breakthrough in game-based training or want to lend your voice to shaping the future of serious gaming, SGS&C 2025 offers multiple ways to engage—with submissions due by August 23 – submit here: https://sgschallenge.org/submit-a-game/.

This milestone year recognizes two decades of innovation at the intersection of gameplay and learning. Hosted annually at I/ITSEC, SGS&C brings together the best in government, industry, and academia to highlight games that deliver measurable impact—from improving warfighter readiness to transforming education, healthcare, and humanitarian training. “This program has grown into something truly special,” said Jenn McNamara, SGS&C director and vice president at BreakAway Games. “We’re proud of the platform we’ve built to showcase serious games with purpose, and even prouder of the community that continues to make it thrive—through submissions, feedback, and participation.”

Developers are encouraged to submit digital games designed with a clear learning objective to earn your chance to showcase your game as part of I/ITSEC 2025. Submissions are invited from government, industry, and student developers, and selected finalists will gain the opportunity to showcase and compete for recognition and awards in categories including Best General and Government Audience Games, Best Student-Developed Game, Most Innovative Serious Gamer, Best XR Serious Game and the Students’ and People’e Choice Awards. Winners will be announced during the conference at the SGS&C Award Ceremony, acknowledged at the I/ITSEC Awards Banquet, and featured on our website.

In parallel, SGS&C is welcoming evaluators from a wide range of backgrounds—whether you’re a gamer, educator, developer, or simply passionate about learning through play. Evaluators play a critical role in the process, providing structured feedback and helping determine the winners of many of the awards. “Serving as an evaluator is a meaningful way to contribute your perspective and stay connected to innovation across sectors,” said Ray Pursel, SGS&C Service Lead. “It’s also a chance to engage with a wide range of ideas and support a process that values both usability and effectiveness.”

Finalists will be announced this fall and invited to demonstrate their games live at I/ITSEC 2025 in Orlando, where winners will be selected by a panel of experts—and celebrated by the broader modeling and simulation community.

If you are driven by a higher level of commitment to help serious games achieve their potential in DoD and beyond, inquire about joining our all-volunteer Organizing Committee to help execute the event, identify the finalists who will exhibit at I/ITSEC, and serve as ambassadors for the event.

For submission guidelines, evaluator and organizing committee interest forms, and a full list of categories and awards, visit sgschallenge.org.