Hybrid Learning Systems, a Pittsburgh-based developer of serious games and mobile learning solutions, has announced it has acquired the assets of ImpactGames, a world-renowned pioneer in creating compelling interactive experiences around current events.
Included in the deal are full and exclusive rights to the Peacemaker and Play the News games, two of ImpactGames’ most popular products. With the acquisition, ImpactGames will be dissolved as a company and will become a division of Hybrid Learning.
Both Peacemaker and Play the News are games that focus on conflict resolution. In Peacemaker, players seek to bring peace between Israel and Palestine. In Play the News, which uses the same underlying platform, decision-engine, and game mechanics as Peacemaker, players participate in current events by taking on the role of key players within those events. In each case, game players examine and manipulate the conflicts and complexities at the heart of the stories in order to arrive at successful resolutions for the parties involved.
“Th[is] acquisition complements the current path that we have set for the company,” said Kris Rockwell, CEO of Hybrid Learning System. “We've been developing custom serious games for customers for a few years and these [new] toolsets expand the options that we can deliver. Having said that, the opportunity to develop serious games that have an actual impact on how people view different events is a big responsibility that differs from our past efforts. We're very excited about this direction and look forward to being a part of this space… We hope … to honor the path that was set forth by Asi Burak and Eric Brown and the rest of the original ImpactGames team.”
Rockwell is a firm believer that, as people are increasingly recognizing game-based learning as a legitimate and effective form of e-Learning, off-the-shelf packages will catch the attention – and pocketbooks – of education and training consumers. “Much like the push to have reusable traditional e-Learning content (AICC and SCORM standards come to mind), the notion of having an off-the-shelf platform that allows users to use current content is important to ensure that the investment in the technology can last for a considerable period. I believe that platforms such as Play the News and Peacemaker can offer that solution in a way that makes the games very useful and provides a manner of longevity that makes sense.”
One of the ways Hybrid anticipates extending the value of the two browser-based titles is by creating i-device and Android clients for mobile users. In so doing, Rockwell sees opportunities beyond social gaming platforms like Facebook. In fact, he expects strong uptake in secondary and post-secondary education for both games. Further, “the content and the platform are independent of each other, so we have opportunities to introduce new conflict management settings to both these titles,” said Rockwell. In so doing, he believes Hybrid Learning has compelling new offerings for corporate clients as well.
Industry reaction has been generally positive, as the transaction underscores what many believe to be a rapidly growing opportunity for the learning sector through social gaming. “Game-based learning is a valuable and growing market that Tandem has spent the past few years supporting,” said Jedd Gold, president of Tandem Learning, design house for games and simulations for learning. “We appreciate any initiative that helps build the industry, and are looking forward to seeing how Hybrid leverages their experience in mobile technology with the purchase of Peacemaker and Play the News.” On a more cautionary note, Kevin Corti, CEO of Soshi Games, a social games studio, sees the acquisition as “a much-needed and long-overdue consolidation in the very fragmented serious games space, and … one of the first overt examples of a strategy to meld games-based learning applications with social networks. I see many challenges in creating ‘serious social games’ but also very many opportunities.”
