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Volunteer Computing Games. [ using casual games to implement a distributed algorithm ] . Maria Riolo ( Cal Tech ) . . Evan Peck ( Gordon College ) . . Dr. Charles Cusack ( Hope College ). Talk structure. Overview The Problem Volunteer Algorithm Casual Games The Game
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Volunteer Computing Games [ using casual games to implement a distributed algorithm ] . Maria Riolo (Cal Tech). . Evan Peck (Gordon College). . Dr. Charles Cusack (Hope College).
Talk structure Overview The Problem Volunteer Algorithm Casual Games The Game How it Contributes
Talk structure Overview The Problem Volunteer Algorithm Casual Games The Game How it Contributes Goal Definitions
The goal To harness the accessibility, entertainment, and growing popularity of online games and refocus it back towards the scientific community.
{ boinc 40 projects 400,000 computers over 400 teraFLOPS seti@home einstein@home folding@home Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing Volunteer Computing {A form of distributed computing which seeks to harness the computational power of individuals from around the world }
Casual games { Games that are easy to learn, utilize simple controls, and aspire forgiving gameplay } Diner dash bejeweled
Volunteer Computing Games {A casual game where, by playing the game, people participate in volunteer computing }
Talk structure Overview The Problem Volunteer Algorithm Casual Games The Game How it Contributes Max Clique Max Clique to Search Tree Search Tree To Button Game Splitting Nodes Button Game Demo
Maximum Clique Problem Vertices 0 Maximum Clique is the clique (complete graph) of maximum size in a graph 5 1 4 2 3 Edge
[ 0, 1 | 3, 4 ] [ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ] [ 0 | 1, 3, 4 ] [ 1 | 2, 3, 4 , 5 ] [ 2 | 3, 4 , 5 ] [ 3 | 5 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 0, 1 | 3, 4 ] [ 0, 3 ] [ 0, 4 ] [ 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5 ] [ 1, 3 | 5 ] [ 1, 4 ] [ 1, 5 ] [ 2, 3 | 5 ] [ 2, 4 ] [ 2, 5 ] [ 3, 5 ] [ 1, 2, 3 | 5] [ 1, 2, 4 ] [ 1, 2, 5 ] [ 1, 3, 5 ] [ 2, 3, 5 ] 0 [ 0, 1, 3 ] [ 0, 1, 4 ] 5 1 [ 1, 2, 3, 5] 4 2 3 Search tree representation
No choices left Search tree to button game
Button game demonstration DEMO VIDEO GOES HERE
Talk structure Overview The Problem Volunteer Algorithm Casual Games The Game How it Contributes Client-Server Model Implementation Model Database Communication Database Design Java Communication Java Inheritance Problems with VC Statistics
Request list of problems Return problem list client Client-server model server game Select a problem Returns Node Solve node, return solution
Database communication Client (java) (mysql) database Requesting Java class Comm.java execute.php mysql.php Server (php)
Different games can applied to the same problem :: PlayableGame.java Different problems can be applied to the same game :: MaxCliqueProblem.java Level 3 12567 Zombie speed: 20 Zombie attack: 44 pause Adaptability Zombie attack
Problems with VC Lack of awareness Lack of broad appeal Limited demographic Lack of technical savvy
Gender of BOINC Users 93.9% 6.1% females males Boinc statistics Computer proficiency 56.6% 40.2% 3.2% beginner advanced intermed.
Talk structure Overview The Problem Volunteer Algorithm Casual Games The Game How it Contributes Definition Design Considerations Addressing VC Problems Statistics Additional Goals
Casual games { Games that are easy to learn, utilize simple controls, and aspire forgiving gameplay }
Design ConsiderationsFrom igda Simple and Meaningful Play Depth and Complexity Rewarding Players Showing Progress Forgiving Game Play Using Sound and Interactive Audio
Addressing VC Problems Lack of awareness Lack of broad appeal Lack of technical savvy Limited demographic macrovision AOL Games Yahoo! Games AddictingGames Miniclip Candystand “utilize simple controls”
Gender of BOINC Users Gender of all online gamers 93.9% 58% 42% 6.1% females males females males VC/ Online gaming statistics
our Design Goals Wide appeal gender inclusiveness wideage range range of technical abilities aesthetic integrity Easily accessible Incorporate distributed human computing
Talk structure Overview The Problem Volunteer Algorithm Casual Games The Game How it Contributes Wildfire Wally Demonstration Game Design Features
Level 3 12567 Wind: 10 mph Humidity: 23% pause Wildfire Wally
Game Demonstration DEMO VIDEO GOES HERE
Game Design Features Simplicity to run to learn to play Rapid Gameplay Showing Progress Replayability variables random element extendible
Game Design Features Simplicity to run to learn to play Rapid Gameplay Showing Progress Replayability variables random element extendible
Why have a human element? If Run In Backgroundsolves the problem hundreds or thousands time faster than clicking, why even include the human element? • Still Contributes • Adds meaningful play • Stepping stone for future
Talk structure Overview The Problem Volunteer Algorithm Casual Games The Game How it Contributes Evolution of Problems Future Work Future Impact
Level 3 12567 Wind: 10 mph Humidity: 23% pause
Future Work Volunteer Algorithm vs. Algorithm in C overhead from problem > search tree overhead from communication Volunteer Algorithm with Lots of Participants how many to match algorithm in C? bottleneck at database? Explore Adaptability create new games try new problems
Future impact Human Insight Massively multiplayer online gaming
Acknowledgments NSF Hope College Dr. Cusack Gordon College CS Department Cal Tech Math Department Zombies