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Humanism in Science Fiction and Beyond War
The divisions created by the fiction and mechanisms of Beyond War
may seem secondary to the depth of flight controls, features, and science
underlying the simulation. However, the objective of the environment is to
tell a larger story relating to the tension of geopolitical conflict that
players today (2009) and those of the Cold War (1950s-1970s) can relate.
Group dynamics are not designed to be 'easy'. They do, however, lend themselves
to significant and interesting results that provide a strong mechanism for long
term and stable technology. Users are assumed to realize the benefits of group
activity and cooperation quickly, and so there are also benefits granted to players
and factions who will "scourge" the general population. Rewards that offset the
benefits of teamwork with the advantages inherent in significant wrongdoing.
This model is also clearly visible in a number of RPG games today, which give a
full storyline to decisions that are both 'for' and 'against' the norms of society.
By managing the degree and scope of these rewards in the service dynamically, the
Beyond War model creates one of the first 'dynamic interactive multi-user online
game models' ever put into practice. Termed "DRPG" in the studio papers, this
model allows the game to have an atmosphere that changes based on events and
political triggers throughout the overall strata of players, by which case the
players and their actions actually DO influence the outcome of the environment
direction - and without arbitrary or seasonal interference of administrators and
developers.
This is just one of the many features Beyond War pioneered in its closed-session
software development group, and a primary reason for secrecy surrounding the project
over 20 years. The mystery and discovery of elements of a game, and the non-linear
unequal distribution of ability and talent across the player base, make each account
and each player a 'unique asset' to their team members which cannot be 'reliably
reproduced' by simply following a series of steps or achievements.
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"Beyond War - XS Game Technology from Shadowdancers L.L.C. of Ada, Oklahoma - Redefining U.S. Wargaming"
Original project and game copyright © 1991 Shadowdancers Digital Press. All Rights Reserved. - - -
Website media copyright © 2007 Shadowdancers Digital Press. All Rights Reserved.
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