In a world where rapid response is not adequate protection against WMD attacks, the intent of CRISIS XXI was to utilize the advanced AI being developed by Hexagon Interactive to create a simulation of modern terrorism that possessed predictive capabilities. The first phase was the creation of a complex cardboard "game tool" version, which acts as a living design document and test bed for a subsequent computer simulation.

CRISIS XXI shows the wide range of operations that are not only historically demonstrated, but also potentially possible in today's world of globalism, information warfare, and "The Revolution in Military Affairs." The objective was to place the player in the situation of being the National Command Authority of a country, agency, insurgent force, or non-governmental organization and have to deal with the wide range of forms of conflict that surround modern terrorism, as well as the underlying political, military, social and other environments.

CRISIS XXI's overall structure reflects these considerations. The basic "unit" is the Front. Front motivators are based on the proven historical record of organizations. The data indicates that terrorist organizations are motivated by several basic factors: Ideology (group political belief); Retaliation (the desire to strike back for real or imagined wrongs) and Norms (the ability of the organization to satisfy member human needs for recognition and satisfaction). The different mix of these motivators generates different types of Operations.

The Behavioral Model quantifies the various "thresholds" that organizations face when moving from one form of conflict to another. CRISIS XXI can demonstrate how crossing these thresholds may lead to internal conflict within an organization and Reconstitution. The system is dynamic. Participants can add and experiment with alternative motivators and behavioral factors.

One of my intentions in designing CRISIS XXI was to show the complexities of modern asymmetric warfare, concentrating on terrorism and terrorism counteraction. Participants must think "beyond the box" and not view terrorism/terrorism counteraction simply as a matter of special operations. There are no "pat" answers. Any action may have unforeseen repercussions, positive or negative, simulated via the mechanism of Cascading Effects and Reconstitution. Users of the CRISIS XXI tool must think on both the physical and psychological levels and be prepared to use a wide range of operational techniques. It is important to note that the model does not simply spit out "correct answers." Players must actively use their intelligence to interpret results.

Joseph Miranda

VP Design, Hexagon Interactive