Game-based training for individualized shipboard fire-fighting

Game-based training is a promising approach to reduce costs on the one hand and reach a constant level of trainee motivation and involvement on the other hand. Computer games pave the ground for offering a simulated world that is used for implementing realistic training scenarios. Advances of the consumer-focused game industry do not only provide off-the-shelf high-end graphics and computing power but also sophisticated game engines that allow the concentration on the content whilst interaction and rendering is mainly done by the game engine. The paper presents the experiences of the authors in applying game-technology in the area of shipboard firefighting. It starts with a concept, in how to embed game-based training in the process of maritime education - considering the benefits and limitations of this specific simulator. Later on we describe the technological framework that is used in the authoring phase as well as during the runtime. Furthermore, we highlight the user feedback and compare our approach with the classical way of shipboard fire-fighting. The paper closes with an outlook to further research in this area.