Computer-assisted gaming

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Computer-assisted gaming (or CAG) refers to games which are at least partially computerized, but which are actively regulated by a human referee.

Concept

Computer-assisted gaming attempts to combine the advantages of computer games with those of paper-and-pencil simulation 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 gaming is sometimes referred to as CARP, which stands for computer-assisted role-playing. Role-playing games were one of the first types of simulation games to develop into computer-assisted games.

Computer-assisted gaming

Concept

Variations

See also