StormTeam Simulations - An Introduction

StormTeam Simulations

StormTeam Simulations (aka STS, StormTeam, StormTeam Space Center, StormTeam Simulations Space Center) was founded by Jordan Foutin on July 4, 2017, and is the publisher of Jordan Foutin’s free blog Chronicles of Aaen, and STORMTEAM military science fiction eBook and softcover novels available via Amazon.com. Soon, STS will use its original, uniquely powerful proprietary cutting-edge immersive training formula to train young adults and adults in small group team dynamics for corporate training and private group entertainment events backed by existing and ongoing empirical research. STS has several space flight mission simulators currently in early production for joint group missions. 

The “Storm” in StormTeam Simulations is named after the lead fictional protagonist in Foutin's original STORMverse and correlates with a critical component of the corporate training process. “Team” is named for StormTeam’s simulation staff members and the crew(s) that will interact with the protagonist and other simulation elements.

Among other simulators in early production, STS's fleet will initially comprise the:

• USSF AURORA - A Xeon-class dreadnought. It will hold 10-15 bridge crew members.
• USSF NEW HORIZON - A mobile space station. It will hold 10-15 bridge crew members.
• USSF ANDROMEDA - An extraterrestrial shuttlecraft. It will hold 8-10 crew members.
• USSC SERENITY - CLASSIFIED

Upcoming simulators:

• (TBA) - An advanced Terran deep-space scout ship. It holds six to eight bridge crew members.
• USSC STORM - A Terran heavy tactical cruiser. It holds eight to 10 bridge crew members.
• USSC HUNT - A light tactical cruiser. It holds six to eight bridge crew members.
• USSC TYPHON - A multi-dimensional interceptor. It holds eight to 10 bridge crew members.
• USSC HELIOS - A powerful long-range shuttlecraft. It holds eight to 10 bridge crew members.

Similar to other simulation-based learning space centers, StormTeam's simulators will have a unique plaque displaying the ship's name and funding and acknowledgments to those who aided in the ship's construction. 

StormTeam's missions are based on and contain aspects similar to the STORMTEAM military science-fiction universe. The simulators utilize state-of-the-art technology to ensure customers experience the most realistic simulation experience possible on every mission. StormTeam’s tagline is AD ASTRA AD ASPERA (“Through hardships to the stars.”)

Training Methodology

STS will use simulators in part to create the most interactive, immersive stories applicable to factual and fictional historical events within Foutin's proprietary original military science fiction universe. Participants learn and apply different aspects of advanced small-group communication and team dynamics, leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving in missions. Participants also get the chance to learn about various space phenomena in greater depth and detail. 

Students who have attended what was Discovery Space Center at Stonegate Center for the Arts in the UCS Columbia have most highly praised StormTeam's simulation storytelling as "HARDCORE!" StormTeam hopes its visitors are tomorrow's successful businessmen and women, and that the self-image of non-corporate groups significantly improves, among other significant benefits resulting from participation in StormTeam's simulations.

Technology

StormTeam will employ a vast array of technologies and equipment to achieve its distinguished next-level simulations. Each ship will be equipped with a powerful sound system, video system, dynamic lighting, and the computer network participants partly utilize during a simulation to interact with the mixed reality world. The sound systems are connected to an industry-standard mixing board that combines input from multiple sources heard through the simulator's speakers. The video system partly comprises digital video playback devices. Content from these video sources is regulated and controlled by a video switcher in the control room so the video appears seamless. StormTeam’s proprietary tactical screens are complex slideshows that can be networked to display real-time information about the ship and the current situation(s). Each simulator’s dynamic lighting system enables various colored lights to be displayed depending on the situation. Each set of lights is attached to a dimmer in the control room allowing the lights to manually fluctuate at any given time during a mission, such as a weapon impact, power failure, etc.

To ensure customers are safe, a network of carefully monitored closed-circuit cameras is also installed at key points throughout the set's transition and the set itself to continuously monitor crew positions and simulator conditions. Each computer on the set is connected to a network allowing communication between the bridge and the control room. This enables the control room to monitor the simulation’s computer-related developments and for the bridge computers to update with information sent from the control room. The current programming on each of the computers is open-source. StormTeam's training methodology is adaptable to other existing infrastructures. 

Staff

StormTeam’s full-time employees are Corporate, Sector Directors, District Directors, Site Directors, Assistant Site Directors, Set Directors, Flight/Simulation Directors, and Control Room and Bridge Supervisors. StormTeam’s interns are the part-time staff. Each job title is organized into its own guild.

• The Intern — The Intern is the entry-level staff member tasked with acting and costume and props maintenance before and after simulations, among other necessary entry-level duties.
• The Supervisors — The supervisors supervise the interns in a mission and help organize the Interns. Supervisors are second in general authority to flight/simulation directors. They are the Flight/Simulation Director's right-hand men and women in the control room. Supervisors relay orders and help establish and keep the story's momentum, among other necessary duties. In emergencies, supervisors can also function as Flight/Simulation Directors, though this is increasingly rare.
• The Flight/Simulation Directors — The Flight/Simulation Directors (FDs) are the equivalent of a frontline supervisor or Hollywood director tasked with facilitating the mission. The Flight/Simulation Director functions as the voice of the ship's main computer, and the chief engineer (whom the crew tradition-idiosyncratically may see in person), giving the crew(s) hints and tips throughout their mission. Below the center's director, assistant director, and then set director, flight/simulation directors have senior authority for frontline work.
• The Set Directors — one per simulator, who typically serves as the primary flight director for the ship over which they are appointed. The Set Directors are the equivalent of a Department Manager for the simulator and Flight/Simulator Director staff over which they are appointed.
• The Assistant Site Directors — the Assistant Site Directors assist in the management and supervision of the fluid functioning of the space center. They are the Site Director’s right-hand men and women on the space center’s general management team, assisting in the professional and personal development of their subordinates, co-workers, and colleagues. 
• The Site Directors — The Site Directors manage and supervise the fluid functioning of the space center to which they are appointed. They are the Site's senior-most immediate leadership in the space center, ensuring the professional and personal development of their subordinates.
• The District Directors — The District Directors manage and supervise the fluid functioning of the StormTeam space centers within a given state.
• The Sector Directors — The Sector Directors manage, supervise, and advise the District Directors within a given time zone.
• Corporate — Runs and oversees StormTeam Simulations operations under the direction of StormTeam Simulations' Chief Executive Officer.

Camps and Programs

StormTeam Simulations will offer premium corporate training programs and public-private group events for young adults and adults. StormTeam Simulations provide varying mission lengths and uniquely deep, meaningful, immersive experiences to suit every crew's preferences. The longer the mission’s time, the deeper and more immersive the experience. Private group events are available in 2, 2.5, 3, 4, and 5-hour increments. These time blocks include time for briefing and training on the simulator(s) for the mission. Longer public-private programs are in development and will be as unforgettable and limitlessly repeatable year-round offerings. 

Publishing

Jordan Foutin is also StormTeam Simulations’ Head Author and Creative Director. Jordan is the author of StormTeam's STORMverse. The first publication is STORMTEAM, available now on Amazon.com, and Smashwords.com.