AUGGMED: developing multiplayer serious games technology to enhance first responder training

Many serious games are designed for single player access only. However, the benefits of the immersive nature of serious games and virtual reality may be enhanced when teams who usually train together can also do so within a virtual environment. The purpose of this article is to outline the architecture of the AUGGMED serious game and discuss the technical challenges faced when creating a multiplayer counter terrorism training serious game utilising virtual reality, touch screen interfaces and a realistic crowd simulation. AUGGMED is designed using an agile modular approach utilising user centred design principles, with each technical developer owning a set of tools which are continuously integrated, piloted, and improved throughout the development cycle. Constant piloting with first responders enables iterative improvements, which meet end user training requirements. Building a multiplayer training game specialised in providing realistic simulation of real situations, and enabling users to interface with the simulation through virtual reality identifies a large set of technical challenges. The article identifies a number of the challenges faced while developing AUGGMED and the solutions used to overcome them, including barriers and logistical/technical difficulties to integrating multiple existing (Exodus crowd simulation) and new (virtual reality) technologies into a single serious game for training first responders.