Intelligence Gaming has designed a unique, immersive cultural simulation (ICS) project used to train US troops deployed overseas.

The ICS is based on RealityV and is powered by a customised Adobe Flash Player 10 capable of running on multiple platforms, or in enhanced mode with a head-mounted display. The ICS project, which offers 360-degrees of video and eight binaural audio channels, allows users to interact with actors recorded in high-definition digital media. Trainees navigating their virtual environment are able to fully observe live action content that influences decision making in the field. Indeed, ICS tracks even the slightest movements and accurately renders perspective-correct audio and video to the head-mounted display.

Each interactive scenario is followed by a question, the answer to which triggers a new scene that depicts the outcome of the decision. Appropriate choices result in a positive experience, while inappropriate decisions may force the storyline in an unfavourable direction with serious consequences.

Unlike conventional game technology, ICS effectively depicts a range of micro expressions and subtle body language. Such minutiae are absolutely essential to comprehending the intricate social customs prevalent throughout the Middle East and other regions of the world.

In addition, the application collects and analyses psychometric data used to assess a GI's preparedness to face the challenges of serving in a potentially hostile country or region.

For example, ICS is typically used to determine the following parameters:

• Do US military personnel understand the cultural sensitivities of a foreign country?
• Are they coping well under pressure?
• Do the soldiers maintain a disposition appropriate for stressful situations?

"The simulation includes a carefully formulated plot with a realistic cast of characters that unfolds over multiple chapters," Intelligence Gaming chief technology officer (CTO) Rick Schmidt told IT Examiner. "Although ICS is a training programme, it provides an entertaining, yet emotional story similar to the popular Band of Brothers television mini-series. User immersion in an environment populated with memorable characters provides as close to living a real experience as one can get. RealityV technology delivers an experience second only to being there."

According to the CTO, ICS, which has generated extremely favorable feedback from the US military, offers a hard-hitting "emotional impact" to which all soldiers can relate.

"ICS features hardware-accelerated, full-screen scaling and real-time distortion that facilitates a safe training environment for highly stressful situations. The application is a relatively inexpensive training simulation with a short production time of 6 to 8 weeks. This type of virtual reality simulation training is an immense contribution towards saving the lives of our military forces and civilians," explained Schmidt.

Schmidt also noted that the simulation could be utilised for a wide-range of both civilian and military applications, including the rehabilitation of soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving in places such as Afghanistan or Iraq.

"ICS is capable of accurately depicting a variety of finely crafted environments that could be used to instruct medical students on how to properly perform triage procedures or teach the safe operation of heavy machinery such as cranes and ships. There is virtually limitless potential for first responders, law enforcements agencies and military personnel," added Schmidt.
 
Intelligence Gaming has also created a master training station known as GeoCommander for the US Navy. The "single strategy intensive game" allows potential operators to apply advanced geolocation technology, concepts and theory via a series of increasingly difficult fictionalised scenarios. GeoCommander teaches trainees to react appropriately and illustrates how individual performance affects the commander’s mission objectives and the operational picture.

The application, which addresses both cognitive and experiential capabilities, is designed to integrate geolocation techniques with the combined expertise of industry, department of Navy and gaming professionals. X