Abstract: A modular, interactive, reconfigurable simulation system is designed to provide a variety of simulation experiences. The system has a distributed state machine architecture to facilitate reconfiguration and technological update. A typical simulation system constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of simulator stations. Each station includes a seat for the player/operator and controls and displays that are appropriate for the simulation experience. Each simulator station is preferably mounted on a motion base to provide the player/operator with sensory inputs consistent with motions of the simulated vehicle. Each simulator station is controlled by an associated host computer. The host computer maintains a state vector which describes the current state of the associated simulated vehicle within the simulated world. The host computer calculates interaction between moving objects and the underlying terrain data base by mapping 3D terrain objects into 2D maps.