Modelling Pervasive Environments Using Bespoke and Commercial Game-Based Simulators

This paper details an ongoing investigation, linking intelligent buildings and computer game technology. Intelligent buildings are containers for life-sized organisms (people, pets etc), sustaining ecologies that evolve and interact in a symbiotic way with the technological infrastructure, which includes intelligent agents. This work explores how computer games software can be used to create a simulation tool for the development of new ubiquitous agent programs and environments. We report on our experiences of adapting a retail package, (Electronic Arts' Sims) and building our own bespoke simulator. We use a table to compare and summarise the strengths and weaknesses of each approach; the general conclusion being that there are significant benefits to be gained from adapting commercial games packages for use as professional simulation tools. Finally, we conclude the paper by describing our plans to apply this work to the development of a mixed-reality eLearning application.

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