Adapting COTS games for military experimentation

Abstract

The ease of modifying computer games renders them effective as low-cost virtual worlds that have found relevance in military experimentation. This article presents the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) and the Defence Science & Technology Agency’s (DSTA) initiatives to leverage games for concept exploration. The SAF Centre for Military Experimentation conducted a gaming workshop in October 2004 to explore how soldiers could make use of information to alleviate the challenges in an urban warfare scenario. The workshop generated many insights into the issues surrounding information requirement and usage, sense making, and command and control. As the SAF’s technology partner, the DSTA is also seeking to illustrate the concept and value of integrated knowledge-centric systems through games. These initiatives represent the first steps in our commitment to explore and harness computer games in engaging our next generation of soldiers in the development of war-fighting concepts of the future.

Keywords

commercial off-the-shelf COTS Defence Science & Technology Agency military experimentation modifications mods simulation gaming Singapore Armed Forces

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