Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Massively Multi-user Online Game Framework for Agent-Based Spatial Simulation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
CyberGIS for Geospatial Discovery and Innovation

Part of the book series: GeoJournal Library ((GEJL,volume 118))

Abstract

Agent-based models (ABMs) (also referred to as multi-agent systems, or MAS, in literature) are widely used to model complex adaptive systems (CAS) through representing dynamic non-linear interactions amongst a large number of heterogeneous agents and their environments. However, these models often oversimplify real-life decisions and lack the cognitive authenticity present in real-world interactions. In this paper we argue that although role-playing games (RPGs) and massive multi-player online games were developed separately from ABMs, both exhibit high levels of spatially situated participation or collaboration, social interaction, and knowledge construction. We describe an online map-based gaming platform which simulates spatial scenarios as MAS using human participants as the decision agents. We use our prototype to demonstrate and discuss challenges that cyberGIS faces towards the facilitation of massively multi-user computational resources and methods along with the opportunities for a cyberGIS framework to provide improved understanding of complex systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahlqvist O (2011) Converging themes in cartography and computer games. Cartogr Geogr Inf Sci 38(3):278–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahlqvist O, Loffing T, Ramanathan J, Kocher A (2012) Geospatial human-environment simulation through integration of massive multiplayer online games and geographic information systems. Trans GIS 16(3):331–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • An L (2012) Modeling human decisions in coupled human and natural systems: review of agent-based models. Eco Model 229:25–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Axelrod R (1997) Advancing the art of simulation in the social sciences. Lect Notes Econ Math Syst 456:21–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barreteau O, Bousquet F, Attonaty JM (2001) Role-playing games for opening the black box of multi-agent systems: method and lessons of its application to Senegal River Valley irrigated systems. J Artif Soc Soc Simul 4(2)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barreteau O (2003) Our companion modelling approach. J Artif Soc Soc Simul 6(2)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barreteau O, Le Page C, Perez P (2007) contribution of simulation and gaming to natural resource management issues: an introduction. Simul Gaming 38(2):185–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batty M (2005) Cities and complexity: understanding cities through cellular automata, agent-based models, and fractals. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Becu N, Neef A, Schreinemachers P, Sangkapitux C (2008) Participatory computer simulation to support collective decision-making: potential and limits of stakeholder involvement. Land Use Policy 25(4):498–509

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry B, Kiel LD, Elliott E (2002) Adaptive agents, intelligence, and emergent human organization: capturing complexity through agent-based modeling. Proc Natl Acad Sci 99(90003):7187–7188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonabeau E (2002) Agent-based modeling: methods and techniques for simulating human systems. Proc Natl Acad Sci 99:7280–7287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet F, Le Page C (2004) Multi-agent simulations and ecosystem management: a review. Ecol Model 176(3):313–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bousquet F, Trébuil G (2005) Introduction to companion modeling and multi-agent systems for integrated natural resource management in Asia. In: Bousquet F, Trébuil G, Hardy B (eds) Companion modeling and multi-agent systems for integrated natural resource management in Asia. International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, pp 1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Brabham D (2008) Crowdsourcing as a model for problem solving: an introduction and cases convergence. Int J Res New Media Technol 14(1):75–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler KA (1996) Usability engineering turns 10. Interactions 3(1):58–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter RC (1989) The Juba sugar estate game. Irrigat Drain Syst 3(3):229–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castella J-C, Boissau S, Trung TN, Quang DD (2005a) Agrarian transition and lowland-upland interaction in mountain areas in northern vietnam: application of a multi-agent simulation model. Agric Syst 86:312–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castella J-C, Ngoc TT, Boissau S (2005b) Participatory simulation of land-use changes in the northern mountains of Vietnam: the combined use of an agent-based model, a role-playing game, and a geographic information system. Ecol Soc 10(1):27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castella J-C, Verburg PH (2007) Combination of process-oriented and pattern-oriented models of land-use change in a mountain area of Vietnam. Ecol Model 202:410–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman GP (1983) The Folklore of the perceived environment in Bihar. Environ Plann A 15(7):945–968

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke D (2004) Simulation and role playing for irrigation water managers. Reader—for the seminar on “tools for public participation, conflict resolution and decision-making in water resources management”, 54. 14 Oct 2004, ICD British Section, London: International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford TW, Messina JP, Manson SM, O’Sullivan D (2005) Complexity science, complex systems, and land-use research. Environ Plann B Plann Des 32(6):792–798

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drachen A, Sifa R, Bauckhage C, Thurau, C (2012) Guns, swords and data: clustering of player behavior in computer games in the wild. In: Proceedings of IEEE computational intelligence in games (Granada, Spain), pp 163–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Drachen A, Canossa A (2009) Analyzing spatial user behavior in computer games using geographic information systems. In: Proceedings of the 13th MindTrek 2009 (Tampere, Finland), pp 182–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Drachen A, Canossa A (2011) Evaluating motion: spatial user behavior in virtual environments. In: Stammaa O, Lugmayr A, Franssila H, Näränen P, Vanhala J (eds) Special issue on ACM academic MindTrek 2009: everyday life in the ubiquitous Era. Int J Arts Technol (IJART) 4(3):294–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis EC, Klein KG, Siebert S et al (2010) anthropogenic transformation of the biomes: 1700 to 2000. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 19:589–606

    Google Scholar 

  • Farolfi S, Erasmus L, Le Page C, Bommel P (2008) Combining multi-agent simulations and cost-benefit analysis to evaluate policy options for the management of livestock effluents in reunion island. Afr J Agric Res 3(10):650–666

    Google Scholar 

  • Forssén M, Haho P (2001) participative development and training for business processes in industry: review of 88 simulation games. Int J Technol Manage 22(1):233–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert N, Troitzsch KG (2000) Simulation for the social scientist. Open University Press, Buckingham, PA

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodchild M (2007) Citizens as sensors: the world of volunteered geography. GeoJournal 69:211–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurung T, Bousquet F, Trébuil G (2006) Companion modeling, conflict resolution, and institution building: sharing irrigation water in the Lingmuteychu watershed. Bhutan Ecol Soc 11(2):36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guyot P, Honiden S (2006) Agent-based participatory simulations: merging multi-agent systems and role-playing games. J Artif Soc Soc Simul 9(4)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hare M, Deadman P (2004) Further towards a taxonomy of agent-based simulation models in environmental management. Math Comput Simul 64(1):25–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hays RT (2005) The effectiveness of instructional games: a literature review and discussion. Technical report No. 2005-004, Orlando, FL: Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoekstra A, Kroc J, Sloot P (2010) Simulating complex systems by cellular automata. Springer, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudson-Smith A, Batty M, Crooks A, Milton R (2009) Mapping for the masses: accessing web 2.0 through crowdsourcing. Soc Sci Comput Rev 27(4):524–538

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingensand J, Golay F (2010) Task-oriented usability evaluation of a WebGIS for a real-world community. URISA J 22(1):41

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivory MY, Hearst MA (2001) The state of the art in automating usability evaluation of user interfaces. ACM Comput Surv 33(4):470–516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janssen M (2002) Complexity and ecosystem management: the theory and practice of multi-agent systems. Edward Elgar, Northampton, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Janssen M, Ostrom E (2006) Empirically based, agent-based models. Ecol Soc 11(2):37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khatib F, DiMaio F, Cooper S et al (2011) Crystal structure of a monomeric retroviral protease solved by protein folding game players. Nat Struct Mol Biol 18:175–1177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim JH, Gunn DV, Schuh E et al (2008) Tracking real-time user experience (TRUE): a comprehensive instrumentation solution for complex systems. In: Proceedings of the twenty-sixth annual SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems, pp 443–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohler TA, van der Leeuw SE (2007) The model-based archaeology of socionatural systems. School for Advanced Research Press, Santa Fe

    Google Scholar 

  • Kröpfl M, Buchmüller D, Leberl F (2012) Online maps and cloud-supported location-based services across a manifold of devices. In: Shortis M, Madden M (eds) ISPRS annals for photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, vol I-4. Copernicus GmbH, Göttingen, Germany, pp 151–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lansing J (2003) Complex adaptive systems. Annu Rev Anthropol 32:183–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambin EF, Geist H (2006) Land-use and land-cover change: local processes and global impacts. Springer, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lee Y-T, Chen K-T (2010) Is server consolidation beneficial to MMORPG? A case study of world of warcraft. In: 2010 IEEE 3rd international conference on cloud computing (CLOUD), Miami, FL, pp 435–442

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Page C, Becu N, Bommel P, Bousquet F (2012) Participatory agent-based simulation for renewable resource management: the role of the CORMAS simulation platform to nurture a community of practice. J Artif Soc Simul 15(1):10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ligtenberg A, van Lammeren RJ, Bregt AK, Beulens AJ (2010) Validation of an agent-based model for spatial planning: a role-playing approach. Comput Environ Urban Syst 34(5):424–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Dietz T, Carpenter S et al (2007) Complexity of coupled human and natural systems. Science 314:1513–1516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu YY, Padmanabhan A, Wang S (2015) CyberGIS Gateway for enabling data-rich geospatial research and education. Concurr Comput Pract Experience 27(2):395–407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manson S (2002) Validation and verification of multi-agent models for ecosystem management. In: Janssen M (ed) Complexity and ecosystem management: the theory and practice of multi-agent approaches. Edward Elgar Publishers, Northampton, pp 63–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews R, Gilbert N, Roach A et al (2007) Agent-based land-use models: a review of applications. Landscape Ecol 22:1447–1459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) Ecosystems and human well-being: a framework for assessment. Island Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller JH, Page SE (2007) Complex adaptive systems: an introduction to computational models of social life. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Nae V, Prodan R, Fahringer T (2011) Cost-efficient hosting and load balancing of massively multiplayer online games. In: 11th IEEE/ACM international conference on grid computing (GRID), Brussels, Belgium, pp 9–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson GC, Bennett CE, Berhe AA et al (2006) Anthropogenic drivers of ecosystem change: an overview. Ecol Soc 11(2):29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ostrom E (1998) A behavioral approach to the rational choice theory of collective action: presidential address, American political science association, 1997. Am Polit Sci Rev 92:1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panait L, Luke S (2005) Cooperative multi-agent learning: the state of the art. Auton Agent Multi-Agent Syst 11(3):387–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pak MV, Castillo DB (2010) Designing and implementing a role-playing game: a tool to explain factors, decision making and landscape transformation. Environ Model Softw 25(11):1322–1333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parker D, Manson S, Janssen M et al (2003) Multi-agent systems for the simulation of land-use and land-cover change: a review. Ann Assoc Am Geogr 93(2):314–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Railsback SF, Grimm V (2012) Agent-based and individual-based modeling: a practical introduction. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieber LP (1996) Seriously considering play: designing interactive learning environments based on the blending of microworlds, simulations, and games. Educ Tech Res Dev 44(2):43–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rindfuss R, Walsh S, Turner BL et al (2004) Developing a science of land change: challenges and methodologically issues. Proc Natl Acad Sci 101(39):13976–13981

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvador R, Sabourin R (2006) “Green revolution workshop” engineers without borders. http://my2.ewb.ca/library/view/363/ Accessed 18 Feb 2016

  • Sengupta R, Sieber R (2007) Geospatial agents, agents everywhere. Trans GIS 11:483–506

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Squire K (2005) Game-based learning: present and future state of the field. Masie Center e-Learning Consortium

    Google Scholar 

  • Sui D, DeLyser D (2012) Crossing the qualitative-quantitative chasm I: hybrid geographies, the spatial turn, and volunteered geographic information (VGI). Prog Hum Geogr 36(1):111–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang W, Wang S (2009) HPABM: a hierarchical parallel simulation framework for spatially-explicit agent-based models. Trans GIS 13(3):315–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson CW (2011) Next-generation virtual worlds: architecture, status, and directions. IEEE Internet Comput 15(1):60–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torrens P (2002) Cellular automata and multi-agent systems as planning support tools. In: Geertman SS, Stillwell J (eds) Planning support systems in practice. Springer-Verlag, London, pp 205–222

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Voinov A, Bousquet F (2010) Modelling with stakeholders. Environ Model Softw 25(11):1268–1281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang S (2010) A CyberGIS framework for the synthesis of cyberinfrastructure, GIS, and spatial analysis. Ann Assoc Am Geogr 100(3):535–557

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang S (2013) CyberGIS: Blueprint for integrated and scalable geospatial software ecosystems. Int J Geogr Inf Sci 27(11):2119–2121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang S, Hu H, Lin T et al (2014) CyberGIS for data-intensive knowledge discovery. ACM SIGSPATIAL Newslett 6(2):26–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang S, Wilkins-Diehr NR, Nyerges TL (2012) CyberGIS-toward synergistic advancement of cyberinfrastructure and GIScience: a workshop summary. J Spat Inf Sci 4:125–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Washington-Ottombre C, Pijanowski B, Campbell D et al (2010) Using a role-playing game to inform the development of land-use models for the study of a complex socio-ecological system. Agric Syst 103:117–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright DJ, Wang S (2011) The emergence of spatial cyberinfrastructure. Proc Natl Acad Sci 108(14):5488–5491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang C, Goodchild M, Huang Q et al (2011) Spatial cloud computing: how can the geospatial sciences use and help shape cloud computing? Int J Digital Earth 4(4):305–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Y, Padmanabhan A, Wang S (2013) A parallel computing approach to viewshed analysis of large terrain data using graphics processing units. Int J Geogr Inf Sci 27(2):363–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zook M, Graham M, Shelton T, Gorman S (2010) Volunteered geographic information and crowdsourcing disaster relief: a case study of the haitian earthquake. World Med Health Policy 2(2):7–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA

    David Massey, Ola Ahlqvist, Kiril Vatev & Johnathan Rush

Authors
  1. David Massey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ola Ahlqvist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kiril Vatev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Johnathan Rush
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ola Ahlqvist .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Geographic Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA

    Shaowen Wang

  2. University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA

    Michael F. Goodchild

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Massey, D., Ahlqvist, O., Vatev, K., Rush, J. (2019). A Massively Multi-user Online Game Framework for Agent-Based Spatial Simulation. In: Wang, S., Goodchild, M. (eds) CyberGIS for Geospatial Discovery and Innovation. GeoJournal Library, vol 118. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1531-5_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation