Second summit devoted to training and educational games kicks off in D.C.--attendees pay rapt attention to the basics of what goes into the craft of game making; trimming costs the key to driving interest.

Excerpt:

The problems that Anark's customers have solved using their tools make it clear that beyond offering high performance, serious games are also extremely cost-effective solutions to complex problems. Describing an airline maintenance simulator based on their technology, they note that providing a sample engine for a mechanic to practice repairs on is cost-prohibitive.

Even a simple repair like fixing the in-flight entertainment system, if not carried out quickly and correctly, can ground an aircraft, resulting in an opportunity cost of $100,000 or more per day. But if he has access to a simulator that one customer has built using Anark's software, a mechanic can practice a given repair a dozen times before the plane to be repaired arrives at his hangar. By then, the mechanic is prepared to send it on its way with a minimum of downtime, resulting in, well, "serious" savings over the life of the plane.

Full Story at Gamespot.com