Impact of Gaming Attributes on Measures training Effectiveness (IGAME)

Traditional military training is hindered by growing problems of logistics and cost. Game-based training is one technique for delivering training in the face of these challenges. However, training developers need to better understand how to develop game-based training that is effective, motivating, and engaging. The IGAME effort proposes to develop a predictive, model-based tool to assess the impact of gaming attributes on training outcomes. Aptima will base the IGAME tool on a Theoretical Framework that links gaming attributes to training outcomes. In Phase I, Aptima developed taxonomies of gaming attributes and training outcomes, used existing research to develop a Theoretical Framework that identified relationships between gaming attributes and training outcomes, and hypothesized algorithms to describe the relationships. Finally, Aptima used the algorithms to build the IGAME tool's underlying predictive model. In Phase II, Aptima will conduct experimentation to compare conventional training approaches to game-based training, populate the Theoretical Framework based on our findings, and validate the algorithms that drive the IGAME tool. At the end of Phase II, we will deliver the IGAME tool, a gaming test-bed, experimental results, and a transition plan. To ensure success, Aptima's team includes experts on game design, game-based training, predictive modeling, and experimental design.