Innovation and Value

Electronic games might be a nascent field, but its potential and impact are growing at exponential rates, with the field highlighted frequently in publications, journals, conferences, and news sources. Likewise, as a media form, games have left the playground of the living room and entered arenas such as healthcare, government, education, marketing, public commentary, and artistic expression. The Internet's reach and the portability of mobile devices have made electronic games an outdoor experience again, now in the guise of alternative reality games or ARGs. This dynamic field poses salient questions about the relationship of standards to innovation, competition, and value. We must discover and determine the role standards will play in shaping the future of electronic games. Further, by examining the industry's current state, we can discern how standards can assist in the medium's progress.