Towards a serious games evacuation simulator

TL;DR

This paper presents a prototype of a serious games evacuation simulator using 3D modeling and Unity3D, aiming to improve training and evaluation of emergency evacuation plans in complex buildings.

Contribution

It introduces a realistic 3D evacuation simulation framework built with Blender and Unity3D, demonstrating its potential for training and planning purposes.

Findings

The simulator provides a realistic environment for evacuation training.

Initial experiences suggest it is useful for practitioners and planners.

The framework is adaptable for different building layouts.

Abstract

The evacuation of complex buildings is a challenge under any circumstances. Fire drills are a way of training and validating evacuation plans. However, sometimes these plans are not taken seriously by their participants. It is also difficult to have the financial and time resources required. In this scenario, serious games can be used as a tool for training, planning and evaluating emergency plans. In this paper a prototype of a serious games evacuation simulator is presented. To make the environment as realistic as possible, 3D models were made using Blender and loaded onto Unity3D, a popular game engine. This framework provided us with the appropriate simulation environment. Some experiences were made and results show that this tool has potential for practitioners and planners to use it for training building occupants.