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Games
Games are hypothetical situations steered by player
actions. A force-on-force game (hereafter referred to
as a game) has specific rules and uses controllers to
enforce its parameters. Game participants may come from
the same discipline or different disciplines and/or
from the same jurisdiction or from multiple jurisdictions,
depending on exercise objectives. This type of exercise
explores the consequences of player responses, and can
be used to help participants understand the possible
consequences of their actions. Thus, it is an excellent
tool to use when validating or reinforcing plans and
procedures or evaluating resource requirements. Games
help responders realize the consequences of their actions
and consider appropriate behavior or behavioral guidelines
for the future. Decision-making may be either slow and
considered or rapid and more stressful, depending on
exercise design and objectives.
Games have the following common characteristics; they:
- Develop contingent on player decisions
- Encourage competitive environment
- Provide rapid feedback
- Improve teamwork
- Practice group problemsolving
- Test group message interpretation
- Assess interagency coordination
- Familiarize senior officials with homeland security/counterterrorism
responsibilities
- Explore potential future scenarios
- Demonstrate consequences of player actions
In a game, the outcomes of player actions are highly
dependent on a controller’s interpretation of
the rules, whereas in computerized simulations (described
in the next section), rules are interpreted more strictly.
The controller’s role is to process the information
that is received. Player decisions, subsequent actions,
and outcomes rely on the controller’s subject
matter knowledge and understanding of the rules of the
game. The open, decision-based format of a game can
incorporate “what if” questions that extend
exercise benefits.
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