15 November 2007

Microsoft has announced plans for a new visual-simulation platform called Microsoft ESP, which will be available in January 2008. The visual simulation product is designed for use in immersive learning and decision-making. It will support PC-based commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software, and allow faster more cost-effective simulation building.

The initial version of the platform focuses on Microsoft's expertise in aviation capabilities and is targeted at military and commercial aviation audiences. Future versions of Microsoft ESP will expand beyond aviation into ground and maritime operations, as well as indoor and avatar-centric simulations for commercial, government and academic learning opportunities.

"With over half of today's work force having grown up playing immersive computer-based games, businesses, governments, trade schools and universities are seeking affordable solutions that enable immersive learning experiences," said Shawn Firminger, studio manager for the Microsoft ACES Studio at Microsoft. "Improving training and learning outcomes is an important goal of most organisations. Microsoft ESP makes it easy and cost-effective for organisations to apply the advantages of games-based technology to serious learning and training endeavours."

As a platform technology, Microsoft ESP will provide a PC-based simulation engine, a comprehensive set of tools, applications programming interfaces, documentation to support code development, content integration and scenario-building capabilities, as well as an extensive base of world content that can be tailored for custom solutions.

Partners and developers will be able to add structured experiences or missions, content such as terrain and scenery, scenarios, and hardware devices to augment existing solutions, or build and deploy new solutions that address the mission-critical requirements of their customers.