President Obama says games can fuel tech innovations

President Obama's State of the Union took place this week, but a far less publicized address was his first "Fireside Hangout" using Google Plus. He fielded questions from the more tech-savvy crowd, and at one point suggested that video games can help spur on technical innovations by getting kids interested in the subject.

"Look at Mark Zuckerberg," Obama said (via VentureBeat). "I was sitting next to him at dinner a couple of years ago, and he said he taught himself programming primarily because he was interested in games. If we set programs in high schools that engage kids because they get it, they won’t be just sitting there slouching in back of rooms while someone is lecturing.

"Given how pervasive computers and the internet is now, how integral it is in our economy, and how fascinated kids are with it, I want to make sure they actually know how to produce stuff and not simply consume stuff," he continued.

The President didn't outline any specific plans for these programs. However, it does signal a receptive attitude towards the positive qualities of games at a time when video games are facing increased scrutiny for their violent content.