Meta Description:
Join us in celebrating the best in educational game design with the 2025 GEE! Awards, recognizing top learning games and innovative game-based learning solutions.

Introduction

The 2025 GEE! Awards have once again set the stage for recognizing outstanding achievements in the realm of educational game design. These awards, inspired by the scholarly work of James Paul Gee, honor games that not only entertain but also educate, fostering deep learning and engagement. By celebrating excellence in learning games, the GEE! Awards highlight the pivotal role that gamification plays in modern education, bridging the gap between fun and effective learning.

Formal Learning

Winner: Investigation Declaration by iCivics

In the Formal Learning category, which focuses on educational games designed for school settings, iCivics took the top honor with their game Investigation Declaration. This game empowers students to engage with civic processes, enhancing their understanding of government and citizenship.

Finalists:

Uncovering Loyalties by iCivics
Election Lab by Indelible Learning
Crown & Capital by Simcoach Games

Informal Learning

Winner: Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge: High School Game by Sea Monster Entertainment

The Informal Learning category celebrates games used outside traditional classroom environments, such as at home or in museums. Sea Monster Entertainment emerged victorious with their Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge: High School Game, which inspires young learners to explore entrepreneurship in a fun and interactive manner.

Finalists:

Salvage Safari in Robot World by Filament Games
Evivve by Gamitar Inc.
Cyber Sound Quest by PBS Kids

Analog Games

Winner: That’s Just Wrong! by Speke Wilson

Moving beyond digital platforms, the Analog Games category honors non-digital educational games like board and card games. Speke Wilson secured the win with That’s Just Wrong!, a game that challenges players to think critically and develop problem-solving skills in a tangible setting.

Finalists:

Toma el Paso (Make a Move) by Lien Tran
Publish or Perish by Max Bai
Field Cut by Zachary London
Reel Trouble by Adina Weiss
GAMA de Mesa by Hifa Educação
PowerCell by Ryan Merkley
So You Want to Be an American? by CreatED Consulting, LLC

Small and Indie Studios

Winner: Velvet 89 by Charles Games

In the Small and Indie Studios category, which highlights studios with less than $100k in funding, Charles Games won with their innovative title Velvet 89. This victory underscores the potential of indie developers to create impactful educational games despite limited resources.

Finalists:

Life (Re)Sounding by UniSA
Opal by Andrew Fenner
Chaos Corp.: Troll Farm Simulator by Spencer Striker
Cozy River Valley by Learning Games Lab at New Mexico State University

People’s Choice Award

Winner: GAMA de Mesa by Hifa Educação

The People’s Choice Award celebrates the game that resonates most with the public. Hifa Educação took home the trophy with GAMA de Mesa, reflecting widespread appreciation and support from the gaming community.

Judges

A panel of esteemed judges evaluated the entries, bringing diverse expertise from various sectors within educational gaming:

Amy Patterson (Chief Program Officer, Urban Arts)
Amanda Siebert-Evenstone (Efficacy Researcher, Age of Learning)
Ray Kimball (Founder and CEO, 42 Educational Games Coaching and Design)
Jeci Younger (PBS Kids)
Valentin Briukhanov (Lead Game Designer, CodeCombat)
Barry Joseph (Barry Joseph Consulting)
Chris Baker (WI Department of Public Instruction)
Ashlyn Sparrow (Senior Research Associate, Weston Game Lab, Media Arts, Data, and Design Center, University of Chicago)
Brendon Trombley (Games for Change)
Peter McDonald (UW-Madison)
Nathan Batty (UW-Madison)
Gyeongri Kim (UW-Madison)
Jenn Scianna (UW-Madison)
Max Shafer-Landau (UW-Madison)
Michael Douma (IDEA Games)
Jenny Saucerman (Credit Union National Association)
Sebastian Connette (CEO Debuff Interactive)
Al Olsen (NYU CREATE Lab)

Judging Criteria

The judges assessed each game based on the following criteria to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of their educational value and game design quality:

Empowers Learners: Does the game enable players to take control of their learning journey?
Creates Problems Worth Solving: Are the challenges presented meaningful and relevant?
Fosters Deep Understanding: Does the game facilitate a profound grasp of the subject matter?
Operational Smoothness: Is the game free from technical issues and user-friendly?
Visual Appeal: Are the graphics engaging and conducive to the learning experience?
Originality: Does the game offer unique concepts or innovative approaches?

Benefits for Winners and Finalists

Winning or being a finalist in the GEE! Awards comes with several prestigious benefits:

GEE! Award Badge: Winners receive a badge to display on their websites and promotional materials, signifying their excellence.
Feature on GEE! Award Website: Award-winning games are showcased on the official GEE! Awards platform, increasing their visibility.
Conference Opportunities: Winners have the chance to present their games during dedicated hybrid sessions at the Play Make Learn conference.
Finalist Recognition: Finalists receive a badge and are featured on the GEE! Award website, acknowledging their outstanding contributions.

Conclusion

The 2025 GEE! Awards have once again highlighted the incredible innovations in educational game design. By recognizing a diverse range of games across various categories, the awards emphasize the importance of gamification in enhancing learning experiences. As educational landscapes continue to evolve, platforms like the GEE! Awards play a crucial role in encouraging developers to create impactful and engaging learning tools.

Join the Gamified Learning Revolution

Ready to elevate your learning experience? Explore the possibilities with Yogi Quiz, the revolutionary educational platform that transforms studying into an engaging and interactive adventure. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or trivia enthusiast, Yogi Quiz has something for everyone. Dive in today and make learning fun!