The U.S. Air Force has engaged Stottler Henke Associates to develop a software toolkit that will enable subject matter experts--instructors, rather than programmers--to create content for computer-based war games. Called WarCon, the software is a visual authoring tool designed to simplify the development of high-quality war game simulations. It is being developed by Stottler Henke under a $750,000 contract with the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
WarCon features a number of innovations that represent significant enhancements to the art and science of computer-based war games. As a visual authoring environment, WarCon departs from the traditional text-based programming interface because it is also 'adaptive' and can change, based on the preferences of the individual user. WarCon also contains a collaborative authoring assistant that provides help and guidance to the game's creator. Games built using WarCon feature a consistent presentation 'look and feel,' so students can focus on the substance of each game and scenario they encounter, rather than on the mechanics of how they interact with the game. And finally, WarCon-authored games incorporate a sophisticated simulation engine capable of handling complex scenarios with several hundred entities.
Based in San Mateo, Calif., Stottler Henke Associates applies artificial intelligence and other advanced software technologies to develop intelligent software solutions for training, planning and scheduling.
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