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"
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