Submissions to Open July 7
The Serious Games Showcase & Challenge (SGS&C) is back for its 20th anniversary year —
and we’re calling on innovators from government, industry, and academia to get ready.
SGS&C opened its 2025 challenge call for submissions, and the game
submission window officially opens on July 7.
Hosted annually at I/ITSEC, SGS&C is the premier event for spotlighting games that
deliver measurable training or educational outcomes. Finalists gain exposure to top
leaders in modeling, simulation, and training — and winners earn recognition for serious
impact.
“This is more than just a competition,” said Clifton Garner with MAK Technologies and
SGS&C Industry lead. “It’s a global platform that brings together the best in immersive
training, from large-scale defense applications to cutting-edge university research. If your
game delivers real-world learning, we want to see it.”
Since its inception, SGS&C has been dedicated to advancing the art and science of learning through games. Entries are evaluated on criteria like solution effectiveness, technical quality, and playability. Categories span across government, industry, and student submissions, with each finalist team invited to showcase their game live at I/ITSEC in Orlando this December.
SGS&C Director Jennifer McNamara, Breakaway Games, emphasized the value of participating. “The challenge opens doors,” she said. “Finalists have gone on to deploy their games in operational environments, secure funding, find employment, or forge new partnerships. Being part of SGS&C isn’t just an award — it’s a career catalyst.”
For those planning to submit, now is the time to start prepping. The SGS&C website offers details on eligibility, judging criteria, past finalists and winners and will be your home for submitting.
Candidates should stay tuned as the official opening of the 2025 Challenge Submissions is July 7. Let’s see what the next generation of serious games can do.
Recognizing the People and Partners that Make SGS&C Happen
The SGS&C Organizing Committee is volunteer-driven effort, made up of a diverse group of individuals whose work is supported by their organizations and companies. SGS&C enjoys continued growth and recognition because of these people, their supporting organizations, and our partnership with I/ITSEC. Check out this year’s leadership and team members. We are thankful for our great new members stepping up to participate and for the continued support of our long-term members and advisors.
Our sponsors help us create an amazing presence in the Exhibit Hall and to provide awards to our winners. Sponsors gain recognition across the diverse I/ITSEC audience, we thank our early and returning sponsors: Applied Research Associates Virtual Heroes Division, Engineering and Computer Simulations, Inc., Hatalom Corporation, MAK Technologies, Box, HP, NTSA, and BreakAway Games. Additional sponsorships remain available, see the prospectus or contact us for for an overview of available sponsorships and benefits.
Selected winners from international serious game challenge events will be featured finalists as part of SGS&C 2025. SGS&C are thankful to the organizers of these regional challenge events for their leadership and efforts to feature serious games as part of their events and for supporting select winners to participate as part of the SGS&C. We are excited to see the participants and winners highlighted as part of the SGSCE taking place for its third year at the Defence Simulation Education & Training Conference (DSET) in Bristol from July 8-10 and the SGSCA returning to the Australasian Simulation Congress (ASC) 2025 in Adelaide from August 11–14.
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