On September 7, 2024, the University of South Carolina’s Rule of Law Collaborative (ROLC) conducted an alpha test of the Gold Heist simulation, the latest addition to its dynamic simulation portfolio. Designed as a half-day, immersive team-building experience, the simulation is set in the fictional country of Alterkhan and challenges participants to navigate complex legal and law enforcement scenarios. 

Beyond fostering teamwork, the simulation deepens participants’ understanding of key issues such as mineral trafficking, money laundering, homicide investigation, comparative law, and law enforcement training. It also highlights the challenges faced by justice sector professionals in host countries. 

For this initial test, ROLC invited members of the University of South Carolina and the broader Columbia, South Carolina, community to participate. Following the success of this session, ROLC will conduct a second test on October 5, 2024, before launching the training for State Department staff in Washington, D.C., later this year. 

The alpha test was conducted in Columbia, South Carolina, under the Justice Sector Training, Research, and Coordination 3 Program (JUSTRAC 3), funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.