Motivation:
Agent based models (ABMs) are a useful tool for modeling complex social systems that involve the interaction between internal, cognitive factors (e.g., attitudes, preferences), groups (e.g., peer pressure, social influence), and organizations (e.g., normative structures/ laws, etc). ABMs provide a way to model these complex, interacting, and dynamic factors.

However, calibration and validation of complex ABMs can be difficult, due to the need for temporally extended, high resolution data. Research in this area have been constrained because of limitations in the types of data which are available to researchers. One of the main reasons for this is the difficulty of collecting real world data that can be used for validation. Virtual worlds offer us a way to circumnavigate this limitation. In this workshop, we will explore how data from games and virtual worlds (e.g., Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs)), can be used as a means of constructing, calibrating and validating agent based models.

The AI in games computer games community has produced a rich body of work on two related problems: 1) creating realistic non-player characters (both individuals and groups) and 2) player modeling. This workshop will serve as a meeting point between the two communities to discuss how game data can create more realistic agents and how agent architectures can be used to build better non-player characters.

Submissions are encouraged that explore:

* Modeling of behavior in games using agent based models.
* The dynamics of social phenomena within games (both qualitatively and quantitatively).
* Validation methods for agent based models that utilize game data.
* Novel agent models that can be informed by game data.
* Virtual agent testing in game environments.

We especially encourage contributions from the social sciences that can provide theoretical models and explanations for behavior within games.

Example topic list (suggestive only!):
* Autonomous characters, NPCs, and virtual humans
* Behavioral modeling
* Virtual world economies
* Groups and organizations in virtual worlds
* Cognitive modeling
* Opponent modeling
* Networks of autonomous characters and/or players
* Techniques for building autonomous characters and NPCs
* Game analytics

Submission website:

https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=avsa2014

We will accept full papers and extended abstracts for the workshop.

Formatting instructions:

Full papers: AAMAS format (use the full paper style file), up to 8 pages + 2 extra pages for the bibliography.
Short papers: AAMAS format (use the extended abstract style file), up to 2 pages + 1 extra page for the bibliography.


Important Dates:
January 29th, 2014: Submission deadline
February 26th, 2014: Acceptance Notification
May 5-6th, 2014: AVSA Workshop

For more information or questions, please contact Kiran Lakkaraju: klakkar@sandia.gov

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/aamasavsa2014/