The document discusses developing an online version of the board game HEX using the Cyberdam online gaming platform. HEX simulates policymaking in developing countries over multiple rounds. The online version would convert the game board into a 2D representation on Cyberdam and allow asynchronous communication between player roles. This would test Cyberdam's capabilities and make HEX accessible remotely, though some interactivity may be lost compared to the physical game. Overall, the goals are to evaluate Cyberdam, learn lessons for migrating other games online, and use HEX for blended and distance education programs.

1. 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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2. Introduction
 Your speaker
 Our topic
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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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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7. Cyberdam
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8. 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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9. Structure
 Playground
 Interactive city map
 Underlying directory
of objects, websites
 Game model
 Roles
 Activities
 Steps-of-play
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10. Process
 First step-of play
 Role and step
dependent
activities
 File upload
 Message
 Input
 Output
 Progress
 Other steps-of-
play
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11. Converting the game
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12. Synopsis
 HEX Online running
on Cyberdam
platform
 (Asynchronous)
communication
between roles
 Gameboard
converted into 2D
representation
 Internet application
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13. 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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14. Process
 First step-of play
 Role and step dependent activities
 Other steps-of-play
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15. How it will look like
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16. Playground
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17. Playground
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18. Home page
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19. 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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20. 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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