Hybrid Learning Systems Acquires PeaceMaker, Play the News

Hybrid Learning Systems, a Pittsburgh-based developer of serious games and mobile learning solutions, today announced it has acquired the assets of ImpactGames, a world-renowned pioneer in creating compelling interactive experiences around current events.

Hybrid Learning Systems will acquire all rights to the Peacemaker and Play the News games, two of ImpactGames’ most popular products.

“This is a great opportunity for Hybrid Learning Systems,” said President and CEO Kris Rockwell.  “The serious game and social game markets are in a huge period of growth.  By acquiring Peacemaker and Play the News, we are not only investing in award-winning game platforms, but we are also promoting important games for change, which can have a social impact regarding serious issues around the world.”

A native Pittsburgher, Rockwell is also excited about keeping these assets in the city and growing his company at the same time.  With more than 14 years in the eLearning industry, Rockwell is a sought-after international speaker at mobile technology industry conferences.

"While much of the rest of the world especially the United Kingdom and Australia, have pushed the limit of opportunity for mobile learning, the U.S. is still catching up when it comes to educational and corporate entities using serious games, social games and even off-the-shelf games made for home and hand-held gaming systems in their education and training programs,” says Rockwell.   “Importantly, our educators have begun to embrace these serious games and social games for change as important teaching tools at every level of schooling, from K-12 to colleges and universities.”

Play the News is an engaging, community-driven experience, where fantasy sports meets the evening news. Play the News is a web-based platform that brings interactive gaming elements to the online news media industry changing the paradigm of news consumption from passive reading to active engagement. PeaceMaker is a video game inspired by real events in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. PeaceMaker has been sold in over 60 countries, been featured by top media outlets around the world, and has won several international awards.

"There have been a number of case studies that indicate Serious Games are improving learning outcomes in schools and Hybrid Learning Systems intends to support this initiative as part of our core company focus," says Rockwell.

Rockwell says that an immediate focus will be to convert both PeaceMaker and Play the News to web or mobile learning formats, like the rest of the Hybrid Learning Systems products, such as Hybrid.Flow, Nomad and Avenue.

About Hybrid Learning Systems
Pittsburgh-based Hybrid Learning Systems (www.hybrid-learning.com) combines creative thinking and technical knowledge to develop modern learning solutions that extend beyond the classroom for corporate training groups, university level education and government organizations. With a focus on the development of serious games and mobile learning solutions, Hybrid Learning Systems is also working toward a focus on social games that help educators improve learning outcomes.  A privately-held company, Hybrid Learning Systems helps its customers develop and implement efficient, cost saving training programs that can be delivered anytime, anywhere.  The company’s work in mobile development has put Hybrid Learning in the forefront of content delivery to mobile devices through the use of a reusable standard that allows it to create content in a write once, render anywhere format that is viewable across a wide variety of platforms in a number of different formats.

Media Contact:     

Kris Rockwell
Tel. +1 412 281 7106

kris.rockwell@hybrid-learning.com

or

Jeff Durosko
Tel. +1 412 635 7229
jeff@duroskoPR.com