Topic: Boy Scouts of America to Introduce New Game Design Merit Badge

[SurfingPikachu]

Scouts will finally be rewarded for awesome procrastination skills.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33516

Boy Scouts of America will announce the new Game Design merit badge at SXSW Gaming Expo this weekend in Austin, Texas. Interested scouts are encouraged to design a game in any medium they prefer, from board games to video games.

The organization understands games have become a staple of modern life, from teaching people basic skills like sharing and taking turns to more advanced abilities such as strategy, logic, and math. A recent press release shared their positive outlook as “games challenge us to overcome long odds, tell compelling stories, and work with or against one another. Games motivate both young and old to find creative solutions, practice new skills, and keep their brains active.�

Two years were spent creating the badge’s requirements and accompanying informational pamphlet. To ensure the process would be fun, challenging, and affordable for scouts, volunteers from the gaming industry and enthusiasts were consulted.

To earn the badge, scouts first must analyze games, their play value, content, and theme, and learn about intellectual property as it relates to the game industry. Once they are ready to design their own game, scouts will be required to keep a notebook detailing their concept and changes based on blind testing and feedback. Once approved, a prototype will be built that can be used at scouting functions and outings.

[Leo13]

That's awesome. I'm actually an Assistant Scoutmaster. I'm going to have to get certified to do this merit badge I'm sure all the kids will want to do this one.