Massively Multiplayer Persistent Worlds: Entertainment or Training?

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Massively Multiplayer Persistent
WorldsEntertainment or Training?

• Robert Gehorsam
• Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
• There Inc.
• 9/4/2003

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The 10-minute drill

• Need to separate out the creative components from
  the technical and sociological elements to get at
  the underlying value
• MMPs are basically environments that present an
  opportunity to develop new types of hybrid
  virtual- constructive training programs.
• Technology leverage points from the commercial
  world are
• Core technology (distributed large-scale 3D
  environments on low-end machines and networks)
  ubiquitous access to training environments
• Pace of innovation
• User interface
• User/social experience
• Increasing productivity at the edges (middleware
  and toolsets)

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RDECOM and There

• STO recently underway to conduct RD in using
  There MMP technology as the basis for a platform
  to build US Army training environments for
  asymmetric and long-duration operations.
• Hypotheses
• Can uniquely address training challenges not
  currently addressed (long duration, asymmetric),
  or not currently addressed at sufficient scale
  and frequency
• Can provide incrementally better training than
  current systems for some existing training
  programs.
• Might provide greater economic and personnel
  efficiencies (e.g. O/Ctrainee ratios) than
  existing programs.
• Can support some joint and interagency training
  better than current programs.

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Key RDECOM-There Goals

• Minimal modifications to existing There
  technology
• Deployable over the Internet to standard
  commercial PCs
• Long-term focus on three key areas
• Training effectiveness (AAR technology for MMPs)
• Types of training
• Optimal echelons
• Tool sets Integration with OneSAF for
  constructive components
• Key technical challenges include fidelity,
  integration, performance

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Early Prototype Demo

• Sample capabilities not training demo
• Earth-sized world with accurate terrain
• Focus on realtime communications, more
  intelligence-oriented than combat in this clip
• Voice over IP
• Avatar gesture/behavior
• Tool sets for rapid modification, scenario
  generation
• Instrumented environment

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Notional MMP Architecture
R/T and Asynch Sources
Training Management Assessment And Reporting
Scenario Database And Tools
Content Database And Tools
After Action Review
OneSAF
CCTT
User, Unit Databases
Simulation Servers
Live MMP Environment
Live Sensors
Account Management
Access Network (AKO)
Client Device (PC, Console, PDA, FCS, C2, etc.)
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