7 ^th July 2011

TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry, today noted that another video game is being used for educational purposes. ‘SpaceChem’, a science-themed game is available to schools as an educational tool. The game will help students get to grips with programming concepts such as in-order execution, nested routines and logic gates. Zachtronics Industries, the company who made the game, is offering their game at a steep discount to any educational institute worldwide.

Dr. Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, commented:

“Video games are fast becoming educational tools. According to recent research, many teachers have used videogames to support learning in classes.[1]SpaceChem illustrates how video games are being used for learning purposes.

“Another example is the LearnPlayFoundation (LPF), a not for profit organisation. LPF use video games and games based technologies to engage, develop, and augment soft and personal skills, raise aspirations and provide hard, soft and accredited learning through innovative delivery methods. The impact of their programmes is impressive. In an average five hour intervention with primary school children using ‘Little Big Planet’ to boost maths, LPF are taking the children from 69% to 89% on track for their SATS.

“It is excellent to see video games being used in such positive ways to further education and learning.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

About TIGA:

TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership. TIGA was awarded ‘Trade Association of the Year’ and the ‘Member Recruitment Award’ at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2010. TIGA has also been named as a finalist in the 2010 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) National Management and Leadership Awards in the category of ‘The Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award (SME)’. TIGA is an Investors in People organisation.

TIGA's vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business.  We focus on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members.  This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.

For further information, please contact Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on 07875939643: or email richard.wilson@tiga.org; or contact David Hodges on 02070911653