Spreadsheet-Based Game Engine Automates Multi-Player Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current educational technologies fail to automate the creation and execution of multi-player, simulation-based games, requiring significant extra effort from educators and being limited to younger students, while existing solutions do not provide a deeper learning experience for students aged twelve and older.

Innovation Solution

A method that converts Excel or Google Sheets into multi-player simulation-based games by defining game rules, using game page control tables with investment variables and impact equations, and automating tasks such as team management, scoring, and record-keeping, utilizing metadata to facilitate cooperation and assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If simulation-based games are implemented in education, then student engagement and learning depth are improved, but educator workload increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestudent engagementVSAvoideducator workload
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically executing game rules, calculating scores, and generating reports without educator intervention. The spreadsheet-based game engine autonomously manages game state transitions, team scoring, and learning record generation, allowing educators to deploy complex simulations without proportional increases in their workload.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring game rules, investment variables, and impact equations in spreadsheet templates before game execution. Educators prepare the game framework once, and the system automatically handles all subsequent game mechanics, scoring calculations, and result generation throughout the game sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automated game execution is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame execution efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses copying by leveraging existing spreadsheet formats and structures that educators are already familiar with. The game engine copies and executes rules defined in standard spreadsheet formats, allowing complex automated game execution to run on familiar, simple platforms without requiring specialized software or complex system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive scoring and assessment tracking is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassessment accuracyVSAvoidtime for scorekeeping
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback by automatically tracking team scores, investment outcomes, and assessment metrics throughout game execution. The spreadsheet-based engine real-time calculates scores based on investment variables and impact equations, providing immediate feedback on team performance and generating comprehensive assessment reports without requiring manual time investment from educators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11491399B2Method of executing multi-player, simulation-based educational games from spreadsheets
Publication Date: 2022.11.08 FELKE TIMOTHY JOHN
  • US11491399B2 patent drawing
  • US11491399B2 patent drawing
  • US11491399B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of converting one or more datasheets into a multi-player simulation-based game.