Publications

Vox Deorum: A Hybrid LLM Architecture for 4X / Grand Strategy Game AI – Lessons from Civilization V

Published in arXiv preprint, 2025

This paper explores using Large Language Models (LLMs) in complex strategy games through Vox Deorum, a hybrid LLM+X architecture for Civilization V with Vox Populi mod. Through 2,327 complete game simulations, the research demonstrates that LLMs can achieve competitive end-to-end gameplay with unique play styles by handling macro-strategic reasoning while delegating tactical execution to specialized subsystems.

Recommended citation: Chen, J., et al. (2025). Vox Deorum: A Hybrid LLM Architecture for 4X / Grand Strategy Game AI -- Lessons from Civilization V. arXiv preprint arXiv:2512.18564.
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Learning Programming of Agent-based Modeling with LLM Companions: Experiences of Novices and Experts Using ChatGPT & NetLogo Chat.

Published in Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 2024

This study introduces NetLogo Chat, an LLM-based interface for learning and practicing NetLogo for ABM, finding that experts perceive more benefits and are more likely to adopt LLMs than novices, and highlighting the need for guidance, personalization, and integration in LLM-based programming tools.

Recommended citation: Chen, J., Lu, X., Du, Y., Rejtig, M., Bagley, R., Horn, M. S., & Wilensky, U. J. (2024). Learning Programming of Agent-based Modeling with LLM Companions: Experiences of Novices and Experts Using ChatGPT & NetLogo Chat. Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.
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“Oh My God! It’s Recreating Our Room!” Understanding Children’s Experiences with A Room-Scale Augmented Reality Authoring Toolkit.

Published in Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 2024

This study introduces NetLogo AR, an authoring toolkit for room-scale AR experiences that integrate AR with computational models, finding that children aged 11-13 were highly engaged in spatial thinking activities during eight-week participatory design sessions, and proposing a new AR design framework focused on spatial movement and exploration.

Recommended citation: Chen, J., Zhao, L., Li, Y., Xie, Z., Wilensky, U., & Horn, M. (2024, May). “Oh My God! It’s Recreating Our Room!” Understanding Children’s Experiences with A Room-Scale Augmented Reality Authoring Toolkit. In Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-17).
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The Pocketworld Playground: Engaging online, out-of-school learners with Agent-based Programming.

Published in Proceedings of the ACM Interaction Design and Children (IDC), 2023

This study highlights the benefits of introducing agent-based programming (ABP) to youth, presenting the design of the Pocketworld Playground (POP) within Turtle Universe to engage out-of-school learners in ABP, and finding that POP effectively fostered interest and participation in ABP practices while contributing to the online community.

Recommended citation: Chen, J., Zhao, L., Horn, M. S., & Wilensky, U. J. (2023). The Pocketworld Playground: Engaging online, out-of-school learners with Agent-based Programming. Proceedings of the ACM Interaction Design and Children (IDC) 2023.
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Tortuga: Building Interactive Scaffolds for Agent-based Modeling and Programming in NetLogo.

Published in Proceedings of ISLS Annual Meeting, 2023

This study explores Physics Lab’s Online Community (PLOC), a large-scale youth community with over 138,000 projects, and uses the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework to demonstrate that cognitive, social, and teaching presences can emerge collaboratively among youths without instructor intervention.

Recommended citation: Chen, J., Horn, M. S., & Wilensky, U. J. (2023b). Tortuga: Building Interactive Scaffolds for Agent-based Modeling and Programming in NetLogo. Proceedings of ISLS Annual Meeting 2023.
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Interactive Constructionist Scaffolds for Agent-Based Modeling and Programming in NetLogo.

Published in FabLearn / Constructionism: Full and Short Research Papers, 2023

This paper examines the advantages of interactive scaffolds in constructionist learning for Agent-based Modeling and Programming (ABM & P), introducing the Tortuga system, and finding that exploration-oriented and programming-oriented scaffolds significantly enhance learner engagement in ABM & P activities in out-of-school online contexts.

Recommended citation: Chen, J., Horn, M. S., & Wilensky, U. J. (2023a). Interactive Constructionist Scaffolds for Agent-Based Modeling and Programming in NetLogo. FabLearn / Constructionism 2023: Full and Short Research Papers.
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Self-Governed Collaborative Inquiry in Action: A Case Study of a Large-Scale Online Youth Community.

Published in Proceedings of ISLS Annual Meeting, 2022

This study explores Physics Lab’s Online Community (PLOC), a large-scale youth community with over 138,000 projects, and uses the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework to demonstrate that cognitive, social, and teaching presences can emerge collaboratively among youths without instructor intervention.

Recommended citation: Chen, J., Zhao, L., Xiao, F., Horn, M. S., & Wilensky, U. J. (2022). Self-Governed Collaborative Inquiry in Action: A Case Study of a Large-Scale Online Youth Community. Proceedings of ISLS Annual Meeting 2022.
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