Press Release

Distribution and licensing of the VBS product range post-March 2006

Australia - 23rd March 2006

From March 2006 Bohemia Interactive (BI) is distributing the Virtual Battlespace 1 (VBS1) simulation product directly to North American customers. North American customers may purchase VBS1 through either Bohemia Interactive (via the online shop - http://virtualbattlespace.vbs2.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=49) or contacting BI directly at vbs@bistudio.com. Bohemia Interactive is also available to provide Virtual Battlespace (VBS) simulation modification and content development for North American customers as required.

VBS Licensing

Over the coming months the VBS website (http://www.virtualbattlespace.com) will be updated to reflect the changing nature of the application and improve quality of service. Bohemia Interactive is pleased to offer a range of additional licensing options for VBS1 to suit larger customers (such as military or civilian organizations).

Licensing options now include per-seat, site and enterprise licensing. Prices are standardized for all customers and include a range of support options. Site and enterprise licensing may also include provision of VBS tools to allow customers to develop content (such as 3D models and terrain). If you are interested in purchasing either a site or enterprise license of VBS1 please contact BI directly at vbs@bistudio.com.

BI is available to provide training on the use of VBS or tools, conduct content development, or modify the simulation engine to suit a specific customer requirement. BI currently fields development teams in several locations around the globe, offering responsive, reliable and cost-effective development options for both military and civilian users of VBS. BI is also available to facilitate HLA or DIS integration between VBS and other virtual, live or constructive simulations. BI has already facilitated the integration of VBS with the constructive simulation JSAF via HLA.

VBS has matured into a flexible and comprehensive training and analytical simulation, providing high-fidelity virtual environments suitable for a range of purposes. Over the past 18 months a wide range of product enhancements have been developed (guided by the customer requirement). New VBS1 components include:

US Army 1 Module

The US Army 1 add-on for VBS1 is the most comprehensive and complex VBS1 add-on module ever created, providing highly detailed and realistic representations for a large number of US Army vehicles and weapons. The pack contains new functionality and detail not yet seen in VBS1, including basic CAS simulation, customisable vehicle markings and numbers, new effects, radar for air units, animated TOW on Bradley IFVs and artillery units that integrate seamlessly with the VBS1 Artillery Module.

Instructor Interface

The VBS1 Instructor Interface allows an administrator to modify scenario elements in real time (during a scenario). Designed to reduce the amount of time spent in scenario creation, the Instructor Interface allows objects, vehicles, units and groups to be created and given tasks (if applicable) whilst a scenario is running. For example, IEDs can be placed on-demand, fire support can be simulated, and units (participants or AI) can be given orders, allowing an administrator to move large numbers of forces around the battlespace (similar to a constructive simulation).

Convoy Training Enhancements

Previously VBS1 vehicles only provided a single position that a unit may fire from. Convoy training enhancements allow any vehicle occupant to fire their personal weapon and move around on the back of moving vehicles in a realistic fashion. Tank commanders can turn out to use their personal weapon or use binoculars. Vehicles may also have working indicators as well as operable doors and hatches.

Terrain Development

Terrain Pack 3 contains five new desert terrain areas for VBS1. Three of the maps are generic (not based upon any particular location), and two are based upon actual areas in Iraq (As Samawah and Al Anbar). All maps contain brand new models, including many enterable buildings and new vegetation. The town of As Samawah, located in the Al Muthanna province of Iraq, has been replicated in the most complex terrain area ever created in the VBS1 Real Virtuality simulation engine. Additionally the Baghdad Green Zone and the Iraq Al Muthanna province have been developed (contact vbs@bistudio.com for more information).

After-Action Review (AAR) and Mission Analysis and Review System (MARS)

The VBS1 AAR records and replays full VBS1 scenarios, replicating unit animations and vehicle movement. The playback can be run at up to 64x the original game speed and paused, stopped or restarted at a specific time. MARS is a separate AAR application that does not require VBS1 to be installed, and allows VBS1 recordings to be replayed on computers totally separate from those upon which the VBS1 session was conducted. This allows MARS to be distributed with VBS1 recordings as part of 'take-home packages' often provided following training sessions.

VBS1 DVD Suite

Bohemia Interactive is pleased to announce the VBS1 DVD Suite, a special offer available through the VBS online store (http://virtualbattlespace.vbs2.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=49). Including almost all available VBS1 content, the VBS1 DVD Suite provides a significant discount for those interested in purchasing VBS1 on a per-seat basis.

More Information

Email
vbs@bistudio.com

Website
http://www.virtualbattlespace.com

What is VBS? (PDF)
http://virtualbattlespace.com/vbs_whatis.pdf

Improvements in VBS1 over OFP (PDF)
http://www.virtualbattlespace.com/vbs1_improvements.pdf

VBS1 Competitive Matrix (Excel)
http://virtualbattlespace.com/Competitive%20_matrix_v003.xls

ABOUT BOHEMIA INTERACTIVE

Bohemia Interactive is an independent game development company, with studios in Czech Republic and Australia, founded in 1999, that focuses on developing state of the art computer software and the research of advanced real time 3D graphics, artificial intelligence and physical simulation technologies for real-time interactive environments. For more information about the company visit http://www.bistudio.com.