The Convention Game

Abstract

This is the keynote speech of the 1976 North American Simulation and Gaming Association convention, together with the author’s 1999 comments on the topics covered. The first part of the speech describes a conference as a simulation game and pretends to be giving instructions on how to play this game. The second part of the speech purports to be a (simulated) keynote speech covering the usual topics: how the field has developed, what are the important issues, how experiential education and the computer have become important to simulation. It also addresses specific teaching simulations such as frame games, whole course games, simulation played in the community, and multiple reality simulations. The third and final part of the speech addresses larger issues, such as defining games and reality. It encourages us to transcend reward systems and looks at models of models, human potential and consciousness models, and the possibility of scorelessness in gaming.