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HEX Online - developing an online version of HEX by Richard Duke, using the Cyberdam platform

Pieter van der Hijden (pvdh@sofos.nl)

ISAGA 2009 - Singapore

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Introduction

Your speakerOur topic

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Your speaker

Pieter van der Hijden MSc (Sofos Consultancy / Stichting RechtenOnline)Consultant: Organization & ICTFocus: e-government, e-learning,

gaming/simulationThe Netherlands & SurinameUser of HEX, technical project

manager of Cyberdam

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Our topic

HEX Online - developing an online version of HEX by Richard Duke, using the Cyberdam platform

Why HEX Online? To test the Cyberdam platform by using

it for a proven concept To learn about migrating to an online

version To have HEX available for blended

learning / distance education

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HEX by Richard Duke

Synopsis Training of policy makers in 3rd world country Complex decision-making Board game

Structure 3 levels

National Regional Local

Produce and trade Cash Commodities Food Housing Infrastructure Services

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HEX by Richard Duke (2)

Process Briefing 5 Cycles (years)

6 steps Events Production Taxes Trading Regional

requests End of cycle

Debriefing

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Cyberdam

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Synopsis

Game engine for online role playing games

(asynchronous) communication between roles

Common playground, e.g. 2D virtual city

Internet application

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Structure

Playground Interactive city mapUnderlying directory

of objects, websitesGame model

RolesActivitiesSteps-of-play

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Process

First step-of play Role and step

dependent activities

File upload Message Input Output Progress

Other steps-of-play

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Converting the game

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Synopsis

HEX Online running on Cyberdam platform

(Asynchronous) communication between roles

Gameboard converted into 2D representation

Internet application

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Structure

Playground 2D game board HEX has limited information

per object Game model

Roles National leader Regional leaders Local leaders Reporters Banker Facilitator

Steps-of-play Cycles and steps

Activities Facilitator distributes events Roles "implement" events Roles decide on production Regions and nation collect

taxes and distribute subsidies Roles negotiate about trading Roles implement trade

agreements Roles negotiate about regional

requests Roles implement regional

agreements Facilitator resumes the cycle Roles give end-of-cycle

statements

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Process

First step-of play Role and step dependent activities

Other steps-of-play

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How it will look like

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Playground

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Playground

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Home page

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Balance

Advantages Independent of time

and place Anonymous

participants Automated calculations Automatic logging

Disadvantages Difficult to implement

game board Focus on formal

communication Concurrent processes

less visible Asynchronous character

causes slower pace Less peer pressure and

motivation

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Conclusion

To test the Cyberdam platform by using it for a proven concept Some white spots identified in game engine Reference game for new game developers

To learn about migrating to an online version Ongoing, may result in tools and methods useful for

migrating other board games To have HEX available for blended learning / distance

education Dependent on balance of advantages

disadvantages