Games like Modern Warfare 2 are very realistic, but they don't literally train you to fire a gun - as much as anti-game pundits would love to believe. Microsoft, however, is working on real software that will train people to be better soldiers. The software giant has teamed up with Lockheed Martin to further develop the Microsoft ESP PC-based visual simulation software platform, which is designed "to better train warfighters for battle."
The intellectual property agreement "provides Lockheed Martin with access to the ESP technology portfolio, enabling the company to build cost-effective simulation solutions for customized training for its worldwide customers. Lockheed Martin's software development teams will extend the current capabilities of ESP to enable a whole new suite of innovative ESP-based solutions that will evolve beyond flight training to include ground and civil agency applications."
"The training needs of our military and civil government customers continue to expand," said Chester Kennedy, vice president of Engineering at Lockheed Martin's Simulation, Training & Support business unit. "Seeking out and developing new innovative solutions such as this one based on the proven Microsoft ESP technology allows Lockheed Martin to provide our customers with new and tailored training systems more quickly and cost efficiently."
"Solutions built on Microsoft ESP can engage users in immersive experiences with very realistic environments -- making them ideal tools for training, evaluating, and preparing personnel for optimal performance in the real world," said Chris Cortez, general manager of Strategic Programs at Microsoft, and a retired Marine Corps major general. "ESP models the entire world and will allow Lockheed Martin's developers to easily add their own content, objects, scenery, simulation functionality, and scenarios to create custom training solutions."
The ESP platform is not entirely focused on fighting. It actually uses games-based technology to enhance training and decision support for commercial, government and education organizations.
