Computer-assisted gaming (CAG) and computer-asssited wargaming (CAWG) refer to games which are at least partially computerized, but where on important part of the action is not virtual but performed in real life or on a miniature terrain. Regulation of the game can be done completely by a computer or partly deferred to a human referee. Computer-assisted gaming attempts to combine the advantages of PC games

Personal Computer Games

Personal Computer Games was a multi-format UK computer games mag of the early/mid eighties.-History:It is famous for launching the careers of several notable games journalists of the '80s including Bob Wade, Peter Connor and Chris Anderson. Anderson would later launch Amstrad Action, and Future...

 with those of face-to-face games. In computer-assisted gaming, computers are used for recordkeeping and sometimes for the resolution of combat, but a Human referee makes any decisions requiring judgement.

Variations

A computer-assisted game can be little more than a collection of rules and notes on computer, or as complete as a computer game, with a human referee needed only to make the non-random decisions. It can be played remotely or with everyone in the same room looking at one or more computer monitors. (The referee must have his own monitor; the players can share one, or each player can have his own. Or only the referee may have a monitor, with the players using paper as usual.) This flexibility allows players to combine the best aspects of paper-and-pencil and computer games while computerizing the game as much or as little as desired.

Computer assisted games are mostly not designed toward recreating the battlefield inside computer memory, but employing the computer to play the role of game master by storing game rules and unit (wargames) or role (role playing games) characteristics, tracking unit or character status and positions or distances, animating the game with sounds and voice and resolving combat (shooting and close combat). All distance relationships are tracked on the tabletop. All record-keeping is tracked by the computer.

Role-playing games

Role-playing game

Role-playing game

A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...

s were one of the first types of games for which computer-assisted gaming programs were developed. Computer-aided role-playing game programs are designed to help game masters and players alike. Those programs range from acting as convenient format for a character sheet; or other game materials; all the way up to full automation of the game mechanic

Game mechanic

Game mechanics are constructs of rules intended to produce an enjoyable game or gameplay. All games use mechanics; however, theories and styles differ as to their ultimate importance to the game...

s of a role-playing game system

Role-playing game system

A role-playing game system is a set of game mechanics used in a role-playing game to determine the outcome of a character's in-game actions...

. This is especially useful for character creation/maintenance and rules resolutions for complex simulationist games.

Tabletop Projection

Another example of computer-assisted gaming growing in popularity among role-playing game

Role-playing game

A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...

 players is the use of a digital projector or flat screen monitors

Video monitor

A video monitor also called a broadcast monitor, broadcast reference monitor or just reference monitor, is a display device similar to a television set, used to monitor the output of a video-generating device, such as playout from a video server, IRD, video camera, VCR, or DVD player. It may or...

 to present maps or other visual elements during game play. These elements may be used on their own, or in concert with miniatures to map out combats, and exploration or to introduce other visual media into the game without resorting to printing or drawing these items. ;

Webcam data acquisition

Webcam enabled computer assisted wargames use computer vision to process target aiming wih images of the camera. The USB camera is placed behind the unit selected for action (third person shooter) and aims at the target unit. Target detetection algorithms allow to estimate the distance to the target and to resolve fire dammage.

External links

• Mac-Assisted Role-Playing, insidemacgames.com on CARP
• Pen, Paper, and Pixel Computer-assisted gaming site of Ennie award winner Jans Carton.