A Framework for Developing Simulation Game Systems

Abstract

Recent computerized simulation games have come with administration support systems and decision support systems for the participants. These support systems have been developed in the data file environment where a specific simulation game is built. Details about the data regarding where, how, and what are only coded in the simulation model. As such, retrieval of data for more flexible manipulation by the game administrator and the participants is difficult. Also, changes in the data representation as a result of any changes in the underlying simulation model cannot be readily reflected. Furthermore, most game data repeat in periods for the participants as they make decisions from period to period. It also repeats in the game zones for the game administrator when multiple games are run simultaneously. A database organization with a data dictionary taking these considerations into account should be useful. This article proposes an integrated framework called SG to coordinate all activities surrounding a simulation game to the game and organization databases through a game data dictionary. It enables the game administration system and the decision support system for the participants to be built and maintained more easily.