Ben Sawyer

Ben Sawyer is a prominent figure in the field of serious games and health-related gaming initiatives. He is best known as the co-founder of the Games for Health Project, established in 2004, which aims to connect health professionals, researchers, and game developers to advance the development of games that promote health and wellness.1 This initiative has become a key social and professional network within the health games industry, supported by significant funding from organizations like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.1

In addition to his work with the Games for Health Project, Sawyer co-founded the Serious Games Initiative in 2002, which focuses on using game technologies for purposes beyond entertainment, such as education and health.2 His career spans over two decades in game development, where he has worked on numerous serious game projects for various organizations, including Cisco, DARPA, and Kaiser Permanente.1

Sawyer's contributions extend beyond just game development; he has organized significant events like the Serious Games Summit and has been instrumental in advocating for the use of games to facilitate behavior change in health contexts.12 His expertise makes him a leading voice in discussions about the potential of games to impact health outcomes positively.

In summary, Ben Sawyer's work at the intersection of gaming and healthcare has positioned him as a key innovator in utilizing game design for serious applications, making a substantial impact on how games can be used to improve public health.