Simulation as the Preferred Form of Communication

Anthony Townsend at the Institute for the Future believes that “simulation will be an innate vocabulary for tomorrow's consumer, worker, soldier, and educator. They will see the world and describe it in terms of simulations in the same way that my parents used written essays and I use PowerPoint. It may well become their preferred mode of visualizing and interacting with data.”

To make this possible the simulation and gaming communities have to create simulation construction tools that are as readily accessible as PowerPoint. These must have: (1) ease of use, (2) ubiquity of access, and (3) affordable price. They must also have a data standard that is community generated (e.g. XML) or commercially driven (e.g. Microsoft Office document formats).

Recent business magazines are talking about the need for a standard 3D representation standard. Perhaps, the world needs the 3D interface in order to connect to a simulation tool. Simulation tools like GPSS/H and Arena are certainly powerful, but perhaps too abstract for the common user.