John Brooks Returns to the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge: A Full-Circle Moment
For John Brooks, founder & CEO of Mass Virtual, the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge (SGS&C) represents more than just a competition—it’s a cornerstone in his journey as a leader in immersive training and simulation. Brooks first encountered SGS&C in 2007 when his team won the People’s Choice Award for Vigilance, a game designed to train soldiers on identifying and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The experience not only validated his team’s innovative approach but also opened the door to future opportunities in the rapidly growing field of serious games.
Five years later, Brooks and his team struck gold again, winning Best Business Game in 2012 for Virtual Attain. This winning solution pushed the boundaries of military training, offering a safe yet highly realistic environment for soldiers to rehearse critical operations. The recognition cemented his status as a trailblazer in the industry and inspired the launch of Mass Virtual, now a leader in extended reality (XR) training solutions.
Since those early wins, Brooks has focused on building Mass Virtual into the powerhouse it is today. While his attention shifted to scaling his company and delivering innovative solutions, the lessons learned from SGS&C remained a driving force. “The experience was a turning point,” he reflects. “It showed me how impactful serious games could be in transforming the way we train and prepare people for real-world challenges.”
This year, the Mass Virtual founder and his company reconnect with SGS&C in a new capacity. As the Students’ Choice sponsor at I/ITSEC 2024, he will present the Students’ Choice Award on behalf of his company, bringing his journey with SGS&C full circle. The decision to sponsor this year’s award represents an opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape its early success.
Although this is Brooks’ first formal involvement with SGS&C in over a decade, the competition has always held a special place in his career. He said the Challenge reinforced the industry's commitment to helping game developers gain a foothold and elevate the serious games medium.
"For us, it was a platform that not only showcased innovation but demonstrated the potential of what serious game development could achieve," he said. "That same ability to spotlight and support developers, as it continues to do today, is a true gift to the industry—thanks to the dedication of those who make it happen year after year. Reconnecting now, I see it as an opportunity to support the next generation of innovators who are creating XR experiences that resonate with today’s digital natives and redefine how we learn and train."
As he prepares to take the stage to present the award, Brooks hopes to inspire others to see serious games not just as tools for training, but as transformative experiences that shape skills, perspectives, and possibilities. “It’s exciting to see how far the field has come,” he said. “I’m honored to play a small part in encouraging the bright minds that are shaping its future.”
Brooks’ involvement underscores the lasting impact the competition has had on the industry—and on individuals like him. It’s a reminder that even years later, the connections forged, and the lessons learned can come full circle, sparking new opportunities to innovate, mentor, and inspire.
