Gamers get a lesson in the business of IT from IBM
By Davey Winder in Editorial
Posted in IBM on
Think IBM and you think many things, but I somehow doubt you think video gaming developer. However, today I learned that IBM has become just that with the launch of Innov8, IBM’s totally free and totally serious new game. Free because it is aimed at university students and young professionals alike, it is marketed under an educational banner in other words. Serious because it is just that, designed to help its players develop a combination of business and IT skills. Specifically, those that bridge the gap in understanding between IT teams and business leaders in an organisation.
Think about it, serious games have been around for ages. What else would you call the flight simulators used to train military and commercial pilots alike? What else are the theatre of war simulators used by the military for that matter? According to The Apply Group, by 2012, between 100 and 135 of the Global Fortune 500 will have adopted gaming for learning, with the U.S., United Kingdom and Germany leading the way.
“The best kept secret in the world of computer and video games is the rise of a movement - now in the thousands - of gamers, universities and corporations dedicated to applying games to serious challenges such as education, training, medical treatment, or better government,” said David Rejeski, director of the Serious Games Initiative which is housed at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. “IBM has established itself as a pioneer in serious gaming by enabling universities to educate students using the gaming medium they understand, enjoy and embrace.”
Innov8 is a 3D simulation, with the look and feel of a game but corresponding to non-game events or processes such as business operations, is aiming to become a successful method to develop new skills. Most MBA programmes are already heavily based on projects that reflect how individuals and teams need to interact in the real world. Innov8 takes that a step further by actually allowing students to step into a real, dynamic business environment. The game is based on advanced commercial gaming technologies and allows players to visualise how technology and related business strategies affect an organisation’s performance. Together, users can visualise business processes, identify bottlenecks, and explore ‘what if’ scenarios before the technology is deployed.
“IBM views serious gaming as a new and exciting way to develop the skills that are required as business and IT become more closely aligned,” said Sandy Carter, vice president, IBM SOA and WebSphere strategy, channels and marketing. “Innov8 was designed to address this specific skills shortage while also helping universities realise the benefits of using serious games as a powerful tool for teaching today’s students.”
Innov8 is now available through IBM’s Academic Initiative, a programme offering a wide range of technology education benefits to meet the goals of colleges and universities.
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