HEX Online - developing an online
version of HEX by Richard Duke,
using the Cyberdam platform
Pieter van der Hijden (
pvdh@sofos.nl)
ISAGA 2009 - Singapore
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Introduction
 Your speaker
 Our topic
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Your speaker
 Pieter van der Hijden MSc (Sofos
Consultancy / Stichting
RechtenOnline)
 Consultant: Organization & ICT
 Focus: e-government, e-learning,
gaming/simulation
 The Netherlands & Suriname
 User of HEX, technical project
manager of Cyberdam
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Our topic
 HEX Online - developing an online version
of HEX by Richard Duke, using the
Cyberdam platform
 Why HEX Online?
 To test the Cyberdam platform by using
it for a proven concept
 To learn about migrating to an online
version
 To have HEX available for blended
learning / distance education
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HEX by Richard Duke
 Synopsis
 Training of policy makers in 3rd world country
 Complex decision-making
 Board game
 Structure
 3 levels
 National
 Regional
 Local
 Produce and trade
 Cash
 Commodities
 Food
 Housing
 Infrastructure
 Services
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HEX by Richard Duke (2)
 Process
 Briefing
 5 Cycles (years)
 6 steps
 Events
 Production
 Taxes
 Trading
 Regional
requests
 End of cycle
 Debriefing
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Cyberdam
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Synopsis
 Game engine for
online role
playing games
 (asynchronous)
communication
between roles
 Common
playground, e.g.
2D virtual city
 Internet
application
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Structure
 Playground
 Interactive city map
 Underlying directory
of objects, websites
 Game model
 Roles
 Activities
 Steps-of-play
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Process
 First step-of play
 Role and step
dependent
activities
 File upload
 Message
 Input
 Output
 Progress
 Other steps-of-
play
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Converting the game
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Synopsis
 HEX Online running
on Cyberdam
platform
 (Asynchronous)
communication
between roles
 Gameboard
converted into 2D
representation
 Internet application
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Structure
 Playground  Activities
 2D game board  Facilitator distributes events
 Roles "implement" events
 HEX has limited information  Roles decide on production
per object  Regions and nation collect
 Game model taxes and distribute subsidies
 Roles  Roles negotiate about trading
 Roles implement trade
 National leader
agreements
 Regional leaders  Roles negotiate about regional
 Local leaders requests
 Roles implement regional
 Reporters
agreements
 Banker  Facilitator resumes the cycle
 Facilitator  Roles give end-of-cycle
statements
 Steps-of-play
 Cycles and steps
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Process
 First step-of play
 Role and step dependent activities
 Other steps-of-play
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How it will look like
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Playground
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Playground
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Home page
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Balance
Advantages Disadvantages
 Independent of time  Difficult to implement
and place game board
 Anonymous  Focus on formal
participants communication
 Automated calculations  Concurrent processes
 Automatic logging
less visible
 Asynchronous character
causes slower pace
 Less peer pressure and
motivation
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Conclusion
 To test the Cyberdam platform by using it for a proven
concept
 Some white spots identified in game engine
 Reference game for new game developers
 To learn about migrating to an online version
 Ongoing, may result in tools and methods useful for
migrating other board games
 To have HEX available for blended learning / distance
education
 Dependent on balance of advantages
disadvantages
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