Games Grab Attention at Department of Homeland Security

摘要

U.S. homeland security officials are encouraging first responders across the country to consider games and simulations to fulfill their training needs. The Department of Homeland Security's office for domestic preparedness (ODP) contracted with ThoughtLink Inc. to evaluate models, games and simulations in support of a response to weapons of mass destruction attack. The report evaluated the state of the games industry and examined more than 100 products, the evaluations of which are available on ODP's website. An assessment of the market was necessary as state and local officials groped for reliable metrics on which to judge products they were being offered. "They wanted us to assess games for homeland security," said Julia Loughran, president of ThoughtLink Inc. "They were getting their doors knocked down by people providing solutions... States can now use ODP grant money on simulations and games."