A method, computer system and computer program product for providing a
computer simulation that provides advance notification of expected events
or states, comprising running a first computer simulation; running a
second computer simulation corresponding to said first simulation, said
second simulation having progressed further than said first simulation;
and using said second computer simulation to provide information
representing expected future events in said first simulation.
A first computer simulation may be based on a model of a simulated system,
said model having a plurality of state variables. Input data from a first
user input interface may represent user interaction with said first
computer simulation, while input data from a second user input interface
may represent the extent to which a condition should be present in said
simulation. Input from the said second user input interface is translated
to values for one or more state variables in said first computer
simulation consistent with a description of said condition in terms of
rules embodied in the model. The representation of expected future events
allows interactive fine tuning of the condition in the model.