Introduction

Training needs

History

Capability

Breaking boundaries!Development roadmap 2011

Lessons learnt

Demonstration

Scope

My (In)Experience

Lots of academic studies

Lots of military training

Lots of time spent playing and developing games

... no operational experience!

... but I do have a fresh perspective.

Soldiers, sailors and airmen need simulators too!

Computer games are the not-so-obvious solution to meet these training needs

Serious exploitation of games only began in 2003

VBS2 assists with:Tactical training (combat team and below)Mission rehearsal

Training needs

Mission rehearsal Tactical training Capability demonstrations

Navigation training Maintenance training Language and culture

OH&S training Weapon familiarization Tank gunnery

Mission planning Driver training Vehicle recognition

Yes! Training transfer is proven.

Canadian Tp Cmd Career Course study*:VBS2 halved field time (games are efficient)Pass rate from 67% to 100% (games are effective)

Games are now accepted as mainstreamtraining aids

Do games work?

* Courtesy of “Games – Just How Serious Are They?” by Paul Roman and Doug Brown

History

2001: Operation Flashpoint (OFP) released

2001:Operation Flashpoint (OFP) released2001:Operation Flashpoint (OFP) released

2001: Early VBS1 demonstration to ADF

2001:Early VBS1 demonstrationto Australian Defence

Force

2001:Early VBS1 demonstrationto Australian Defence

Force

2002: ADF study into COTS games

2002:ADSO commissions “The UseOf COTS Games by Military Forces”

2002:ADSO commissions “The UseOf COTS Games by Military Forces”

2002: USMC funds “Virtual Battlefield System 1”

2002:USMC funds “Virtual Battlefield System 1”2002:USMC funds “Virtual Battlefield System 1”

2003: ADF VISE Experiment

2003:ADF “Virtual Infantry Section Experiment”

conducted2003:ADF “Virtual Infantry Section Experiment”

conducted

2003: US Army invests in “DARWARS Ambush”

2003:US Army “DARWARS Ambush”

commenced2003:US Army “DARWARS Ambush”

commenced

2004/2005: ADF funds significant VBS1 dev

2004:ADF VICE trial validates VBS12004:ADF VICE trial validates VBS1

2005:ADSO funds VBS1 development, AMTG mission rehearsal exercise2005:ADSO funds VBS1 development, AMTG mission rehearsal exercise

2006: VBS2 development commences

2006:ADF/USMC enterprise licensesVBS2 development commences

2006:ADF/USMC enterprise licensesVBS2 development commences

2007: UK invests in VBS2

2007:UK deploys VBS2, funds development2007:UK deploys VBS2, funds development

2009: NATO ACT invests in VBS2

2009:NATO funds “VBS2 NATO”, based upon “VBS Lite”2009:NATO funds “VBS2 NATO”, based upon “VBS Lite”

2009: US Army deploys VBS2

2009:US Army deploys VBS22009:US Army deploys VBS2

2010: Canada invests in VBS2

2010:Canada deploys VBS2, funds development2010:Canada deploys VBS2, funds development

2010: US Army contracts significant development

2010:US Army contracts VBS2 improvements2010:US Army contracts VBS2 improvements

History – ten years!

2001:Operation Flashpoint (OFP) released2001:Operation Flashpoint (OFP) released

2001:Early VBS1 demonstrationto Australian Defence

Force

2001:Early VBS1 demonstrationto Australian Defence

Force

2002:ADSO commissions “The UseOf COTS Games by Military Forces”

2002:ADSO commissions “The UseOf COTS Games by Military Forces”

2002:USMC funds “Virtual Battlefield System 1”2002:USMC funds “Virtual Battlefield System 1”

2003:ADF “Virtual Infantry Section Experiment”

conducted2003:ADF “Virtual Infantry Section Experiment”

conducted

2003:US Army “DARWARS Ambush”

commenced2003:US Army “DARWARS Ambush”

commenced

2004:ADF VICE trial validates VBS12004:ADF VICE trial validates VBS1

2005:ADSO funds VBS1 development, AMTG mission rehearsal exercise2005:ADSO funds VBS1 development, AMTG mission rehearsal exercise

2006:ADF/USMC enterprise licensesVBS2 development commences

2006:ADF/USMC enterprise licensesVBS2 development commences

2007:UK deploys VBS2, funds development2007:UK deploys VBS2, funds development

2009:NATO funds “VBS2 NATO”, based upon “VBS Lite”2009:NATO funds “VBS2 NATO”, based upon “VBS Lite” 2009:

US Army deploys VBS22009:US Army deploys VBS2

2010:Canada deploys VBS2, funds development2010:Canada deploys VBS2, funds development

2010:US Army contracts VBS2 improvements2010:US Army contracts VBS2 improvements

VBS2 provides an immersive, first-person virtual environment for collective tactical training and mission rehearsal.

VBS2 Capability

Offline Mission Editor (OME): Generate a scenario using 2D and 3D interfaces in accordance with the training need

Place entities in the virtual environment• Objects (e.g. structures), characters, vehicles, aircraft

Add editor objects to define entity behaviour• Waypoints, triggers

VBS2 Capability: Scenario Editors

Runtime scenario: interacting with the virtual environment from the first person perspective

Individually or collectively (networked)One soldier per computerOperating a wide range of equipment and vehiclesCommanding AI subordinates where appropriate

Real Time Editor (RTE): modifying the scenario at run time in accordance with training needs

Influencing AI behaviourInteracting with and changing the virtual environmentAdministrative functions

VBS2 Capability: Runtime Scenario

After-Action Review (AAR): reviewing a saved scenario to draw out lessons learnt

2D and 3D replaysTime accelerationBookmarkingMeasures of effectiveness

VBS2 Capability: After-Action Review

VBS2 Development Suite: Import new content (3D models and terrain) to support different training needs or mission rehearsal

Visitor 4 for importing terrainOxygen 2 or 3D Studio Max (from v1.50) for importing 3D models

VBS2 Capability: Development Suite

LVC (Live Virtual Constructive) Game: Connect VBS2 to other simulations or C2 systems

Trainees can use “green gear” like FBCB2 alongside VBS2VBS2 can stimulate and be stimulated by constructive simulationslike OneSAF and JCATS

VBS2 Capability: Connectivity

Our focus for 2011: Breaking Boundaries!

Overcoming “game” limitations to meet a wider range of training needs

VBS2 will soon be ready to go head-to-head with “mainstream” image generators

A first for a game-based virtual environment!

VBS2 v1.50, due May 2011, addresses:Terrain size and view distance limitationsSupport for underground spacesFidelity of armor (UK MOD focused)Support for multi-channelVehicle physics (through PhysX)

VBS2 Capability: VBS2 v1.50

Underground spacesFull support for underground spaces placed in Visitor 4, OME or RTETrenches, basements, sewers, caves, tank ditches are all now supported

VBS2 v1.50

Underground spacesFull support for underground spaces placed in Visitor 4, OME or RTETrenches, basements, sewers, caves, tank ditches are all now supported

Terrain size and view distance

500km x 500km maximum40km view distance maximum

Night vision improvementsChange brightness, intensification

VBS2 v1.50

Contracted by UK MODDelivery in VBS2 v1.48, April 2011Focused on Challenger II, but we aim to allow other armoured vehicles to be improved reasonably easily (“open platform”)

We are working with UK MOD for Challenger 2 CPT integration for CATT

UK development: Tank gunnery

Parallax error correction Realistic loading Realistic sounds

Aided lay FCS simulation Gun / optics stabilisation

Validation of ballistics Realistic impact effects Correct TI and day optics

Correct internal tank model Range add / correct Correct voices

Support for boggy ground Support for tank ditches Tank transporter simulation

Simulation of gears RWS simulation Deep water fording

Significant AI improvements Floating aiming mark Correct HESH firing

3D Studio Max plug-in

Vehicle and building searchCertain objects can have other objects placed in them and searchedSelect furniture, cars, buildingssetDrawMode script command allows objects to be wireframe or transparent

AAR playback can be transmitted over LVC Game

Infantry periscope

VBS2 v1.50

Lighting improvementsMultiple point and spot lights possible in the one place, with proper shadowingUnits can properly hide in shadows

Large objects (>50m) may have collision geometry

Proper loiter waypoints for UAVs

Improved driving simulationGearbox and brake key mapping

VBS2 v1.50

Improved window damageDifferent damage statesConfigurable penetration

Fire rocket launchers from standing and prone positions

Accurate grenade throwing

Improved wounding model

Support for assault ladders

VBS2 v1.50

Situational awareness improvements

Visual cues to indicate direction of fire

Ability to move Visitor 4 placed objects in the OME

Choose specific get out position from vehicles

Safety switch for personal weapons

Three new training missions

VBS2 v1.50

Artificial intelligence improvements through Xaitment integration

Video

VBS2 v1.50

Multi-optics technologyMultiple optics can be fitted to a personal weapon or mounted on a turret

Reworked difficultyoptions

Better sortingCaptionsSeparate Admin and User settingsAbility to “force”User settings

VBS2 v1.50

Allows VBS2 to be displayed across multiple screens (wide screens or dome displays) and frame-synched

Documentation

VBS2 v1.50: Multi-channel

25° 25°

25° 25°

‐54°

25°25°

VBS2 v1.50: Multi-channel

View Server

VBS2 Server

View Client 1

View Client 2

View Client 3

VBS Clients

New editor toolbarSelect, move and rotate buttons

Support for boggy ground

VBS2 v1.50

New editor toolbarSelect, move and rotate buttons

Support for boggy ground

New pyrotechnicsParachute flares and trip flare

Terrain grids no longer have to be specific sizes, but still square

VBS2 v1.50

Lots of new content added!Full list (preview) is available at:http://resources.bisimulations.com/contentnew

All vehicles now use PhysXOld vehicles preserved for backwards compatibilityOld vehicles no longer available in editors

VBS2 v1.50: Content

Development Suite improvementsLog file improvementsPreferences dialog redesignImproved progress bars3D preview in template libraryImproved support for GPX and KML vector filesHeight-maps can be drawn in custom color schemesObject layer files in V4 are optimized, improving performanceOptimized generation of satellite and mask tiles

VBS2 v1.50

VBEditCreate complex structures and object patterns in 3D

Modules of Interest

VBS GUI creatorTool for creating new VBS2 user interfaces

Modules of Interest

Terrain Pack 1

Modules of Interest

Terrain pagingMulti-resolution terrain in VBS2 v1.60, September 2011Terrain paging in VBS2 v2.00, March 2012

Current Developments: US Army

Terrain pagingMulti-resolution terrain in VBS2 v1.60, September 2011Terrain paging in VBS2 v2.00, March 2012

Demonstration scenarios and videosDue in VBS2 v1.50

VBS2 Content APIWorking with SE Core, completion imminentAPI for automatically creating and packing VBS2 content

Multi-channel enhancementsFrame locking in VBS2 2.00, March 2012

Current Developments: US Army

IED3 developmentSupport for CIED training modules in VBS2Development of “IED Vigilance” training scenarios

MC4 parachute and scuba capabilityWorking with USAJFKSWCS (USSOCOM)New underwater rendering is at BetaDue in VBS2 v2.00, March 2012

Current Developments: US Army

VBS2StrikeMay 2011

VBS2 UPOL/IPOLMay 2011

Software Change Requests 2009Elements due in both VBS2 v1.60 and v2.00, including:

Current Developments: USMC

Chemlights

(hand deployed) DAGR simulation AC130 simulation

Dazzlers Aircraft sensor pod IZLID for AH‐1

Boomerang for vehicles Sandstorms F‐15E Strike Eagle

Spotting scope Improved avatar fear factors EOD Talon improvements

Stowing gear in vehicle Improved action menu Coordinate converter

Integration with The Overlay Makerwww.theoverlaymaker.com

In-game event recording

Animation browser

Canadian content development:

Current Developments: CF

Sig Sauer P225/P226 HLVW AVR Taurus AHSVS Wrecker

C7A2 and variants AHSVS Mercedes MacMillan TAC‐50 Bison ambulance

C13 frag

grenade HET trailer LAV III variants C14

Coyote AEV Badger Aircraft variants TOW anti‐tank

Leopard 2A4 AVLB Beaver UAV Heron CF188

Marnehuizen terrain development

Current Developments: MINDEF NL

Marnehuizen terrain development

Current Developments: MINDEF NL

Marnehuizen terrain development

Current Developments: MINDEF NL

Generally working to a major release every 6 monthsWith monthly minor iterations

VBS2 v1.50 – May 2011

VBS2 v1.60 – September 2011

VBS2 v2.00 – March 2012

Future Releases

Graphics matter (for immersion), but meeting the training need is much more important!

VBS2 is not a game development platform. It is a tool for tactical training and mission rehearsal.

Significant modification is required for a game to be suitable for tactical training and mission rehearsal

In the case of VBS2, over 8 years of work and lots of $$$

Without government funding, VBS2 would not exist. Thank you!

Lessons learnt

Demonstration

Presented by:Peter Morrison, CEO, BISim Group

Contact:WWW: http://www.bisimulations.comEmail: sales@bisimulations.com

Questions?

“We all play computer games, but this isn't just a game. It's serious.”

– Pte Frank Boateng,UK MoD