Artemis League

Type: Active
Age: Middle school
Optimal size: 6-10
Estimated cost: $51 - $100
Planning time: 5+ hours
Frequency: Monthly

Learning outcomes

• Communication and teamwork skills
• Decision making skills
• Ethics

In the networked PC game, Artemis, players are given a mission and expected to work together to determine the steps required to complete the mission. For example, the team has a goal to take supplies to specified sector in the galaxy. Shipmates will need to work together to make sure their ship navigates the route efficiently, with enough energy to make the journey and defend the ship from any enemy encounters.

And just like Star Trek, not all encounters with other ships are necessarily foreboding (no red shirts required). Participants decide whether to approach encounters with other ships aggressively or peacefully, and then deal with the consequences of either approach. The ethics and responsibility of having so much weaponry available is often discussed during missions.

Instructions

Although I selected Middle School for the recommended age for this program, it really can be played by anyone in grades 7 and up. We have a variety of ages participating.

I selected $50-$100 for start-up costs; however, these can vary based on what equipment you already have and whether or not paid staff will be doing the set up. In our case, we had a volunteer do the technical set up for us. As a staff member, I only had to find old laptops, provide the space, and do promotion/marketing for the program. The Friends of the Library purchased the license (at the time $40) and we started with 6 old laptops.

Equipment Needed:

• 5 to 11 laptops/PCs
  • Older PCs can be used. If the computer can run Windows 7 with little to no problems, it is probably OK. We have successfully run the software on at least 10 year old laptops running Ubuntu/Linux. Check with schools, businesses, government centers to find outdated laptops that might be repurposed for Artemis.
    
• Projector and Screen
  • One computer runs the simulation and the “main screen”, the rest of PCs are stations for various players.
    

• Participants

  • Each ship can accommodate 5 bridge officers (Helm, Engineering, Weapons, Science, Communications), a Captain, and now, additional fighter pilots/shuttle!

• Artemis License
  • You will need to purchase a license for the game. The license will allow you to install the game on all the computers of the people you play with in classic Local Area Network style. If you run a second bridge, you will need to purchase a second license. Current licensing FAQ and purchase information is available at https://artemisspaceshipbridge.com/
    

General tips

• Pizza/snacks are always appreciated
• Plan at least an hour for play.
• We make participants trade positions throughout the program, or do smaller missions and make them trade spots with each mission.
• If you are intimidated by the technical aspects of this program, see if there is already an Artemis group near you to see if they would be interested in getting involved. Googling “Artemis Club” will not get you the results you expect, as that is the name of a brothel in Europe! Try looking for a local group on the official Artemis forum at https://artemis.forumchitchat.com/
• We started with “introductory” simulation sessions as part of the Summer Reading Program. In the Fall, we started with scheduled monthly simulations.
• Collect cell phone numbers of participants at each program and use a program like https://www.remind.com/ to inform them about upcoming programs.
• Consult the school calendar prior to scheduling programs.
• Our Windows PCs kept trying to update during game play, so we found it easier to only run  the computers in an isolated LAN environment with no internet access.
• It isn’t unrealistic to expect interest from adults for this program. If you have the space and budget for that, go for it! There is an annual Artemis convention every year.
• There are no official Artemis servers for online play, but much like Minecraft, you could create one. You would have the option to create missions where other libraries could battle each other using a shared server and video conferencing.
• There is an advanced feature that allows you to script your own missions and interact with the bridge with the game master. This involves advanced computer skills, but is not necessary to play. Just adds a nugget of future possibility awesomeness!
  
  The Artemis wiki has more technical specs for setting up the LAN for game play. http://artemiswiki.pbworks.com/w/page/44467356/RunningArtemis
  

Evaluation

This is the program’s second year at the library. It is encouraging to see a program that brings such a variety of teens to the library. Artemis League is open for grades 7 and up, and a typical session will have representation from all grades and genders. Seeing such a variety of teens who wouldn’t normally hang out together spend this intense hour and half together defending the galaxy each month is truly extraordinary.

Of special note, our service district is just under 4,000. In the past, teen programs were usually passive because of low attendance numbers. Artemis League brings in 8 to 15 enthusiastic teens each month and the number is growing. Participants would like to play more often; however, we are a small library and do not have a separate programming space. Artemis has to be played when the library is closed. This requires extra staff time and resources.

Overall, if you’re looking for a program that will bring new teens to the library that also encourages teamwork skills (with the added benefit of fighting space aliens), this is it.

Other resources

https://artemis.forumchitchat.com
https://artemisspaceshipbridge.com
https://www.remind.com/

Setting up the LAN:
http://artemiswiki.pbworks.com/w/page/44467356/RunningArtemis