In 2025, game-based learning sits at the intersection of creativity, technology, and policy. Legislative decisions at the federal, state, and accessibility levels are quietly and decisively shaping the possibilities for developers, educators, and learners. From AI integration mandates to targeted industry tax credits and evolving accessibility requirements, the rules being written now will influence what kinds of educational games get made, how they reach learners, and who benefits from them.
In April 2025, the White House issued the Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth executive order, establishing a federal Task Force on AI Education chaired by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. This mandate directs the U.S. Department of Education to prioritize AI in discretionary grant programs for teacher training and curriculum innovation, while instructing the National Science Foundation to accelerate AI-related research. The Department of Labor was also tasked with using Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding to expand AI skills and work-based learning.
By July 23, the administration unveiled its Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan – more than 90 actions focused on innovation, domestic infrastructure, and global leadership. For educational game developers, this policy environment opens direct opportunities to integrate AI literacy into games, pursue new grant funding, and participate in federally supported pilot programs that bring AI-driven learning tools into classrooms.
Closer to home, Wisconsin lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 204 (and its companion, Assembly Bill 204) in April 2025. The legislation proposes a refundable video game production tax credit to encourage in-state development. Backed by bipartisan support and championed by Sen. Patrick Testin, the bill would help lower production costs and attract creative talent to the state. For studios working in educational games, incentives like this could make Wisconsin a more competitive hub for game production, while creating opportunities to partner with local schools and communities on pilot programs.
While SB 204 is still under consideration, it reflects a broader national trend: targeted industry tax credits as a lever for economic and creative growth. Similar measures in states like Georgia and Louisiana have transformed local media ecosystems – and educational games stand to benefit if such credits are designed with learning and impact in mind.
Accessibility compliance remains one of the most established intersections between policy and game design. As outlined in our earlier blog post on what the law requires and what comes next for accessibility in educational games, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are embedded in federal and state-level accessibility laws, including Section 508 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. These frameworks are legal requirements that influence funding eligibility, procurement decisions, and the ability to serve learners with diverse needs.
For developers, staying ahead of accessibility mandates supports both compliance and future-proofing products, expanding reach, and ensuring that inclusive design is part of the game from day one.
Other Emerging Policy Frontiers
Beyond AI and accessibility, several other policy trends could shape educational game development in the near term:
- Digital safety laws, such as the Take It Down Act, are giving schools more tools to combat non-consensual imagery and AI-enabled deepfakes, signaling increased attention to student online safety.
- AI policy education in academia is gaining traction, with some computer science programs embedding regulation and governance modules – a sign that future developers will enter the field with a stronger grasp of legal and ethical considerations.
From Policy to Play
For game-based learning to reach its full potential, policy and practice need to work hand in hand. Federal AI mandates create opportunities for funding and innovation, state-level incentives can lower barriers for creators, and accessibility laws ensure games reach every learner. Staying informed and proactive about these developments is essential to ensuring that the games we make are relevant, compliant, and ready to meet the needs of learners in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.
Looking to Explore how AI mandates, game tax credits, and accessibility laws are shaping the future of educational games in 2025.your project goals with legislative headwinds? Contact us – with 20 years of game-based learning leadership, we’re experts in navigating these evolving industry circumstances.