From 30 June to 2 July 2023, Katowice (Poland) hosted the 3rd European Games Esports Championships (#EGE23). In addition to the competitions that attracted esports enthusiasts from all over Europe, three significant academic events took place, including the Central Europe Gaming & E-Careers Conference (OKSE). It provided an excellent opportunity for professionals, researchers, and administrators to share their knowledge and experience. This is Danuta Pietraszkiewicz, NATO DEEP eAcademy Deputy Director, who contributed to the panel discussions while focusing on the importance and utility of serious gaming within the education and training systems of the NATO DEEP countries.
OKSE is considered the most important event in Central and Eastern Europe focused on gaming and related industries. Its goal is to emphasise the importance of technology in today’s digital world, allowing participants to gain valuable contacts and knowledge necessary for success in this dynamic field. During specialised panels, the latest technical solutions related to gaming and their applications in education were discussed. In particular, the use of VR technology in higher education and training was showcased. The conclusion was drawn about the necessity of taking steps to standardise existing solutions. The event provided an excellent opportunity for the NATO DEEP eAcademy to learn about current trends and solutions in the field of new technologies and gaming. It highlighted the directions of development in the gaming industry and underscored the importance of training professionals involved in game design, with a particular focus on educational aspects. The event was complemented by numerous accompanying activities, providing participants with additional experiences.
Since serious gaming is a reliable and effective tool compared with traditional methods of training, this area is systematically explored by the NATO DEEP eAcademy jointly with its partner institutions. Next involvements focusing on serious gaming will follow.