Introduction to Gamified

DevelopmentDaniela M. RomanoUniversity of Sheffield

D.Romano@sheffield.ac.uk

Gamified Solutions

The concept of gamified solutions has wide applications such as for example: assistive technology and rehabilitation Robotics Training and Education Construction Industry Simulation of Complex Systems and so on …

The areas of applications are growing rapidly …

Why Gamify? To share a dream...

◦ Computers Scientist are highly creative people …

◦ Creative people share their creams, thoughts, worlds.

Artist want you to view and feel of their view of the world Musicians want you to hear their view of the world, Game and Virtual Reality designers want you to experience their

view of the world and “be there”

Why Gamify?Games to Teach (e.g. Strategic Thinking)

◦ Games and stories are deep element of human culture◦ The oldest complete game discovered is the Sumerian

Game below. ◦ To date strategic thinking is still taught via games

The Royal Game of Ur, also known as the Game of Twenty Squares, refers to two game boards found in the Royal Tombs of Ur in Iraq by Sir Leonard Woolley in the 1920s. In the British Museum its giant version for people to play

Why Gamify?

Youth making games◦ Interest and talent usually begins at

young age, most computer scientist have programmed as their hobby before the do a formal course and most of them have programmed a game

Making money◦ This is an art as much as a science◦ Great games / apps sell themselves and

money follows

... Because you love it !!◦ It’s a creative expression, so visualize

what you want to share with others and make it a game

Game Genres and PeopleElectronic games like film have a genre

◦ This is important and we need to tailor the right genre for the right aim

◦ (strategy, adventure, role-playing, action, simulation)

Computer games have an historical genre◦ Early games (1970) where text adventure, followed by arcade games

and multi-players game◦ The sophistication of these games was only limited by the technology

Benefits of Gaming Video Games and Tangential Learning

Is when someone comes across something interesting that is related to the real world and researches itSee you tube video “Brain and Learning” “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN0qRKjfX3s&feature=player_embedded

Video Games Teach Problem Solving and Creative Experimentationin most video games, you come across problems that need to be solved, like an obstacle in the way of your goal. You need to use your creativity if you want to find a solution for passing the obstacle.

Video Games Teach Economics and more…. Many video games allow players to handle virtual money and exchange it for in-game goods.There are construction games (e.g. world craft, Mine Craft), etc…

Benefits of Gaming Video Games Encourage Leadership Skills

and Decision MakingThey can teach a child invaluable leadership skills. By working together in groups with real people online, one learns about the responsibilities of being a leader and the benefits of being a team player.Video games function as a virtual reality for perfecting the skills that you will use in the real world (serious games)

Gaming, Motor Skills, and Hand-Eye Coordination and reaction time Motor skills are skills that require complex brain-to-body motions. There are two types of motor skills: fine motor skills and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills test your precision with smaller movements. Gross motor skills control larger movements, like moving your legs.Video games primarily improve your fine motor skills. Actions like moving the joystick on a controller require precision. These controller actions will help develop dexterity and precision motor skills.Games like games Wii Fit also try to improve gross motor skills

Benefits of GamingVideo Games and Social Skills

They teach communication skills needed to interact with others, most popular online gaming and social network.Also come game require cooperative playing in order to win. (e.g. In Left for Dead 2, where two or more players can join forces and fight off hoards of zombies).

Games Production RolesAs in a software house there are several programming role in the game

industry: Game mechanics

◦ this programmers usually models the physics of the game world, how object such as weapons and potions works, how the protagonist function

3D graphics◦ One of the highly respected positions in the industry. They need a strong level in

calculus, vector and matrix maths. They look after the visuals and collaborate with interface designers. Some divide the work into animators and behaviour programming

AI & Artificial Intelligence◦ The demand for AI varies form game to game and form genre to genre, but this is

an increasing trend.

User Interface◦ Bridges the mechanics of the game with the fantasy world◦ It also takes in consideration the input device◦ More often is what ‘sells’ the game (e.g. Wii)

Games Production Roles: Inside a Game

Games production rolesAudio

◦ Audio programming includes 3D audio effects as well as the background music. Can be a powerful mean to trigger immersion

Tools◦ These are the people that for example develop the game

engine of the company or any other tool that will be re-used

Network server/client programmer◦ Writes the low level application code to get the game

running between players (e.g. cloud based games).

REFERENCE:

Erik Bethke Game development and production, Wordware Publishing, Inc.

R Fernando and M J Kilgard The Cg Tutorial: The Definitive Guide to Programmable Real-Time Graphics, nvidia