Do massive multiplayer games serve a useful function in toda

Do massive multiplayer games serve a useful function in today\'s society? Why or why not?

Solution

ANSWER:

Looking to sharpen its technological edge in the face of steep budget cuts, today\'s Army is venturing into a land better known for orcs and dragons.

Its latest training tool, not yet employed Army-wide, borrows from technology used in \"World of Warcraft\" and other massive, multi-player online role-playing games. It allows soldiers at far-flung locations to train together, talk to each other and work through detailed scenarios.

\"The technology is such that you can put lots of people, at the same time, in the same place with their avatar,\" Slavin said. \"They watch their avatar go through and rehearse or strategize with people all over the world.\"

EDGE is currently in use at the non-commissioned officer school at Fort Benning, Ga. Slavin, whose grown son plays World of Warcraft, is optimistic about the potential of EDGE.

\"We really think,\" he said, \"this is a game-changer.\"

The Training Brain Operations Center applies new technologies to training and leadership development. The center\'s latest project involves translating data from skirmishes virtual worlds that match real battlefield terrain for role-playing exercises. It employs 150 and operates from a Newport News office building