@article{santos_digital_2020,

title = {A Digital Game-Based Simulation Platform for Integrated Marine Spatial Planning: Design Challenges and Technical Innovations},

author = {C. Santos and H. Warmelink and W. Boode and P. de Groot and K. Hutchinson and M. Gon\c{c}alves and J. Steenbeek and I. Mayer},

url = {https://www.thejot.net/article-preview/},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

urldate = {2020-06-19},

journal = {The Journal of Ocean Technology},

volume = {15},

number = {2},

pages = {78--100},

abstract = {The 2014 European Union (EU) Directive on maritime spatial planning (MSP) lays down obligations for the EU member states to establish a maritime planning process, resulting in a maritime spatial plan by March 31, 2021. The EU Directive defines key principles for planning, such as evidence-based and stakeholder-oriented, for which integrative planning support systems (PSS) are needed. The main objective of the research is to contribute to the understanding and innovation of planning support systems through the use of game technology and game principles. The MSP Challenge simulation platform has been designed for participative integrated assessment (PIA) and social learning. The authors present the design and engineering challenges as well as the five innovative technical solutions of the platform: a modular client-server architecture with a Unity-based client; incorporating a large volume and variety of geospatial, marine, and maritime data; interconnecting with the ecosystem modelling platform Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE); interconnecting with simulators for shipping and energy; and providing technical functionalities to set up and moderate highly interactive multi-player game sessions. The authors discuss lessons learned and provide directions for future research and development for both the MSP Challenge simulation platform and maritime planning support systems at large.},

note = {Library Catalog: www.thejot.net},

keywords = {Ecospace, model interoperability, MSP, niche modelling, science-policy interface, serious gaming, software development},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}