Another way of putting it, said Squire, was that GLS was there to sell people on the idea that video games were worth taking seriously.

"Games are not just a waste of time," said Squire.

According to Gee, GLS has accomplished its mission. Through events like the annual GLS conference, it brought together people from different perspectives and fields to collaborate in the realm of learning games.

"It allowed the field to grow by bringing people out of their silos," said Gee.

That's why Gee says he's actually not at all disappointed by GLS's impending closure. He said that thanks to the group's efforts, the idea of games as learning tools has become widely embraced, and the group's original platform is no longer needed.

"We live in a different world now," said Gee. "Inevitably, you move on."

Squire agreed. He said that even prior to his and Steinkuehler's resignations, GLS's leadership had talked about disbanding the group to pursue a "new, fresh" direction.

However, while Squire said that GLS's closure would not create a vacuum in the realm of learning games at the national level, it may leave a hole in the local gaming economy.