Limitations of Current Training Applications
The problems with current training mechanisms include the following:
- The trainee operates in isolation while understanding his / her function in the overall operational environment.
- There is no element of randomness that is inherent in real life, multi-user environments and the training currently imparted does not prepare the candidate for this complexity.
- Current forms of training build excellence in specific activities but do not build co-operative behavior and team skills.
- Module-based activity training, even in virtual environments, can only simulate specific conditions developed for the module; hence, external variables are not fathomed for preventive training.
Therefore, such training does not actually mimic real life. It does not add to the trainee’s Emotional Quotient (EQ) and team-building skills. Real-life work environments involve complex operations and interactions with people working in diverse roles and functions.
Building Virtual Environments Using Gaming Engines
Powerful gaming engines, such as Unity 3D and Shiva 3D allow developers to publish “training games” that can be consumed via the desktop or on smartphones. Game engines also provide many features that allow the creation of real-life environments with built-in networking features, enabling the development of such Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG). This helps us understand industrial operations, which require the synergistic collaboration of technical experts operating complex machinery, performing engineering tasks and taking quick decisions at many junctures
Customized Industry-specific Solutions
Customized solutions that closely mimic a customer’s work scenario can be built cost effectively by solution providers with comprehensive domain knowledge, and who have the relevant technological capability and are experienced in social gaming platforms.
Thus, the application of game design and gaming patterns to training enables trainees to participate in massive multiplayer online role playing environments. The use of advanced gaming engines renders very effective 3D virtual worlds. The gamification of training enables the development of immersive training environments and helps prepare trainees for real-life work situations.
Work Scenario: An Online Simulated Virtual Rig
Let us consider the example of an offshore rig in an oil & gas company. Diverse teams operate in the limited space on the rig to drill and extract oil. While a drilling crew is installing drill bits, a pipe crew is creating the pipe assembly and an engineering team is operating the machinery. During the installation of an offshore facility, a crane crew is moving and installing machinery whilst another team is building the facility. Thus, each member performs actions in near real-time and their actions affect the operations of the rig in its entirety.
Specialized training modules can be complemented by cooperative learning mechanisms with other trainees. Therefore, in this new concept environment, a crane crew can train alongside a drill crew and / or an engineering crew; thus, creating a massively online simulated virtual rig with different crews operating training simultaneously.
Hosting the Game Environment
The environment can be hosted either in-house or on the cloud leveraging the technical capabilities available for such deployments. The game server monitors the location of the users, the interactions and the processing logic for actions within the environment. A work scenario can be “gamified” with several layers of learning and complexity. If you operate oil rigs, for instance, both a learning module as well as a freeplay mode can be built. A user moves from module training to the virtual game environment. With added skill points or karma points, the complexity of the task increases and the trainee learns through immersion into the game.
Real-work environments have become complex and there is a steep rise in equipment operation and maintenance. The human cost involved during mishaps and accidents can only be averted through extensive training and preparation. These are strong reasons for rapid growth in industrial training and simulation using 3D virtual environment.
The application of MMORPG for real-world industrial training and simulation can lead to greater collaboration and team play and reduce the dreariness involved in solo-training. Such trainees and players are more equipped to function in complex environments and work more effectively as a team.
Learn more about the Concept Online MMORPG Virtual Rig and the benefits associated with creating an in-house online environment for training employees.
Read White Paper: Immersive Training and Simulation via Gamification (531 KB PDF)