Modeling soft factors in computer-based wargames

Steven M. Alexander; David O. Ross; Jonathan S. Vinarskai; Steven D. Farr

doi:10.1117/12.474903

15 July 2002 Modeling soft factors in computer-based wargames

Steven M. Alexander, David O. Ross, Jonathan S. Vinarskai, Steven D. Farr

Proceedings Volume 4716, Enabling Technologies for Simulation Science VI; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.474903
Event: AeroSense 2002, 2002, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Computer-based wargames have seen much improvement in recent years due to rapid increases in computing power. Because these games have been developed for the entertainment industry, most of these advances have centered on the graphics, sound, and user interfaces integrated into these wargames with less attention paid to the game's fidelity. However, for a wargame to be useful to the military, it must closely approximate as many of the elements of war as possible. Among the elements that are typically not modeled or are poorly modeled in nearly all military computer-based wargames are systematic effects, command and control, intelligence, morale, training, and other human and political factors. These aspects of war, with the possible exception of systematic effects, are individually modeled quite well in many board-based commercial wargames. The work described in this paper focuses on incorporating these elements from the board-based games into a computer-based wargame. This paper will also address the modeling and simulation of the systemic paralysis of an adversary that is implied by the concept of Effects Based Operations (EBO). Combining the fidelity of current commercial board wargames with the speed, ease of use, and advanced visualization of the computer can significantly improve the effectiveness of military decision making and education. Once in place, the process of converting board wargames concepts to computer wargames will allow the infusion of soft factors into military training and planning.

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Steven M. Alexander, David O. Ross, Jonathan S. Vinarskai, and Steven D. Farr "Modeling soft factors in computer-based wargames", Proc. SPIE 4716, Enabling Technologies for Simulation Science VI, (15 July 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.474903

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