Slashdot Mirror


First-Person Shooter Modified For Fire Drill Simulation

Hugh Pickens writes "Researchers at Durham University have modified a video game and turned it into a fire drill simulator using the Source engine (the 3D game engine used to drive Half-Life 2), and created a virtual model of one of the university's departments. Dr. Shamus Smith said that although 3D modeling software was available, modifying a video game was faster, more cost effective, and had better special effects. 'We were interested in using game technology over a customized application and the Source Engine, from Half-Life, is very versatile,' said Smith. 'We used the simulation to see how people behaved in an actual fire situation and to train people in "good practice" in a fire.' The team says the virtual environment helped familiarize people with evacuation routines and could also help identify problems with a building's layout. One problem, however, was that while the simulation worked for most people, those who played a lot of video games did some unusual things when using the simulation. 'If a door was on fire, [the gamers] would try and run through it, rather than look for a different exit,' said Smith." This makes me wonder to what extent entertainment software will fill the role of non-entertainment software as the tools and engines become more and more powerful. Ars mentions related news that the US Dept. of Naval Research is dumping millions of dollars into "virtual reality-like simulations of small-scale urban conflicts." It's unclear whether this is related to the US Army's similar program.

23 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. Mods by baldass_newbie · · Score: 5, Funny

    'If a door was on fire, [the gamers] would try and run through it, rather than look for a different exit,' said Smith."

    You need the firesuit mod for that perk.

    --
    The opposite of progress is congress
    1. Re:Mods by shbazjinkens · · Score: 5, Funny

      Left out of the story was the gamers' unusual tendency to repeatedly crouch and stand over the top of victims, rather than drag them to safety.

    2. Re:Mods by noundi · · Score: 4, Funny

      Not to mention one of the [gamer] testers managed to put out a fire behind a wall. At which point the victim went "ADMIN! HE'S HAXXING!!!".

      --
      I am the lawn!
    3. Re:Mods by JCSoRocks · · Score: 2, Funny

      *ahem* I was just trying to perform CPR! I swear!

      --
      You are using English. Please learn the difference between loose and lose; they're, there, and their; your and you're.
    4. Re:Mods by plover · · Score: 3, Funny

      I heard a story (supposedly true, but this is the internet, right?) of a military flight simulator based on a game mod. It was being demoed for some Australian military honcho, and he complained that the scenery lacked "realism", really meaning he wanted to see herds of animals. So the developers went back and "skinned" some of the NPCs to look like kangaroos and placed a bunch of them in herds around the airfield. At the next demo, the same honcho did a low flyby over the kangaroo herd, and some of them opened fire with the weapons the developers forgot to disable! Classic.

      --
      John
  2. But, but... by Jurily · · Score: 2, Funny

    video games are dangerous!

    How are we supposed to ban them now?

    1. Re:But, but... by Jurily · · Score: 4, Funny

      Don't worry, someone will certainly use the map for CS.

      Hmmm. Just imagine the look on your coworkers' face when you whip out an AK-47 when you hear a fire alarm.

  3. The difference by krnpimpsta · · Score: 3, Funny

    while the simulation worked for most people, those who played a lot of video games did some unusual things when using the simulation. 'If a door was on fire, [the gamers] would try and run through it, rather than look for a different exit,' said Smith.

    I'm pretty sure I'd also run through the fire, at least a few times or until video-game-death, just to see what happens..
    Obligatory XCKD link

    --

    New webcomic updated on Sundays: HERE

  4. I wonder by dotar · · Score: 5, Funny

    does diviant behaviour include looting the corpses of my co-workers in between running up to all the walls looking for the secret doors?

    1. Re:I wonder by c0p0n · · Score: 4, Funny
      --

      Your head a splode
  5. Urban Navies? by clickety6 · · Score: 4, Funny

    US Dept. of Naval Research is dumping millions of dollars into "virtual reality-like simulations of small-scale urban conflicts."

    Mainly they've found they can't fit a battleship down small side streets...

    --
    ----------------------------------- My Other Sig Is Hilarious -----------------------------------
  6. Tea time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Does this mean you can frag the others and then tea bag them?

  7. Re:Fire doors by slackbheep · · Score: 2, Funny

    And you'd expect a University to have sprung for the health and power stations.

  8. And if the insurgents are shooting at you... by VShael · · Score: 3, Funny

    does the FPS trained soldier just run into middle screaming LEEEEEEROY JENKINSSSSSS!!!!!!! ?

  9. Re:Okay,... my score was 3 extinguishers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Fifth - That CS department modelled is really crap in terms of signposting the fire exits and I only saw one fire extinguisher on the entire three floors the character went through (though I might have missed one because it only occurred to me halfway through that I didn't rememeber seeing one).

    I counted 3 Fire Extinguishers... is this part of the game?

    [Video = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7867851.stm ]

  10. I prefer Dwight's method. by antdude · · Score: 2, Funny

    See here. :D

    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  11. Re:'Carry over ' relexes happen in real life too by kabocox · · Score: 3, Funny

    I can believe that, though he should really have been driving so as not to be that close in the first place. I rode horses most of my life, and when I came to learn to drive I found it very unsettling indeed not to have the ability to push the car sideways with my leg. Also, driving without wearing a helmet of some kind made me feel kinda naked.

    Um, you can wear a helmet in a car if you really want to.

  12. Freeman = fireman by msormune · · Score: 2, Funny

    I would swing the fire with my crowbar until it went out. Either that or some annoying person.

  13. Re:'Carry over ' relexes happen in real life too by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 5, Funny

    > First-Person Shooter Modified For Fire Drill Simulation

    Fire Chief: Look at all these dead bodies. >:( You guys are in a lot of trouble!

    Building Owner: Well, our simulation analysis showed you could easily escape by just rocket jumping out the window...

    --
    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
  14. Run Through Burning Door == No Duh? by Golddess · · Score: 1, Funny

    Am I the only one who remembers the basic concept of "Stop, Drop, and Roll"? If I was in a burning building, and came across a burning door, if it led to the outside you bet your ass I'd run right through it. Better a few scorch-marks from flames that can be put out by such a simple concept, than the alternative of burning to death.

    --
    "I'm not sure I like the fugnutish tone you used in your post!" -RogL (608926)-
  15. Quickloading in RL by iamangry · · Score: 2, Funny

    In a fire, the best way to evacuate the building is simply to quickload from when you were about to enter the building, and not enter at all. Duh.... Oh, and if anyone gets critically wounded, just run up to them and hit them with your shock paddles. They can instantly heal bullet wounds, shrapnel, burns and broken limbs (at least, that's what it does in battlefield. That's accurate, right?). Just go around reviving ppl and you'll definitely get the gold star that round!

  16. I've solved that problem by geekoid · · Score: 3, Funny

    "It's not the drill procedure itself that's so terrible, once people are moving, they will continue following whoever's in front of them. It's getting them to start moving that's the hard part."
    I am on the emergence response team, so when the bell goes off Scream "Oh dear God!", jump up, and run screaming to the exit.

    I use to just fire a few round in the air to get people moving, but the 7th story start complain about bullet holes in their floor...whiners.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect