MT35801 Video Games and Virtual Reality

See the course poster and screenshots

 

 

MT35801 Video Games and Virtual Reality

POSTER AND SCREENSHOTS: SEE THIS COURSE POSTER

Instructor: Aaron E. Walsh http://www.gridinstitute.com/people/aew/
Please note that this syllabus is not a contract and is subject to change

 

SUNDAYS and ENTIRELY ONLINE

This course is comprised of entirely online classes that convene on Sundays. Classes are conducted in an online Virtual Reality “world” so that students can take portions of this class from the comfort of home or anywhere (a modern computer and reliable Internet connection is required). Sunday classes enable students with an otherwise full schedule to attend. This is an "Immersive Education" course; see ImmersiveEducation.org for details on how online courses are conducted using video game and virtual reality technology.

Note: You MUST have a headset/microphone to take this class (approx $15 at stores such as Radio Shack). If your computer has a built-in microphone you may use ear buds (such as iPod earbuds) or simply a headset. In any case you can NOT have an "open mic" in this class: the audio you hear MUST come through a headset or ear buds (not through a speaker; the audio is picked up by your microphone in such cases and creates feedback).

 

Overview

Prerequisite: Familiarity using any type of graphics program (such as Photoshop, GimpShop, GIMP, Paintshop, Flash or similar).
Course may be taken simultaneously with MT351 Discovering Computer Graphics

MT35801 Video Games and Virtual Reality is a fun and exciting entry-level graphics course that introduces students to the unreal world of video games and Virtual Reality (VR). Video games are a cultural phenomenon and very big business. This exploding industry rivals Hollywood as video games and virtual reality (VR) turn the "real world" upside down. This exciting entry level graphics course introduces students to the unreal world of video games and VR. Topics include: games and entertainment, Second Life, World of Warcraft, 3D graphics, Virtual Reality, Hollywood blockbuster movies, special effects, synthetic humans and more. Skills learned can be applied to a variety of jobs and industries including: Hollywood and film production; television; music videos; video game design and development; virtual reality; medical and military simulation; scientific visualization and more. Hands-on experience using video game and VR content authoring tools. In-person and online classes (in an online ‘world’). No auditors. Professor Walsh. To take this course Arrange in McGuinn 100 or call 617-552-3900.

POSTER AND SCREENSHOTS: SEE THIS COURSE POSTER

Requirements: Web access and email, and a Windows computer (purchased within the past 3 years)
Platform(s): Windows (Macintosh and Linux, UNIX variants also possible but not supported)
Time Commitments: Approximately 3 hours each week
Exercises: Videos and/or readings every week
Homework and readings: Approximately 1 assignments/coursework and/or readings each week

 

Note: You MUST have a headset/microphone to take this class (approx $15 at stores such as Radio Shack). If your computer has a built-in microphone you may use ear buds (such as iPod earbuds) or simply a headset. In any case you can NOT have an "open mic" in this class: the audio you hear MUST come through a headset or ear buds (not through a speaker; the audio is picked up by your microphone in such cases and creates feedback).

 

COURSE TEXTBOOK

 

IMMERSIVE EDUCATION COLLEGE+ SERVER

VIDEO GAMES and VIRTUAL REALITY, Academic Edition

Note: The Immersive Education College+ Server is available at a discounted academic rate to students of this class. Click on BUY NOW button below to purchase:

 

Note: You MUST have a headset/microphone to take this class (approx $15 at stores such as Radio Shack). If your computer has a built-in microphone you may use ear buds (such as iPod earbuds) or simply a headset. In any case you can NOT have an "open mic" in this class: the audio you hear MUST come through a headset or ear buds (not through a speaker; the audio is picked up by your microphone in such cases and creates feedback).




e-Mail Groups

Students collaborate through the 3DVR Yahoo Group

Group name:
Group home:
Group email:
       

3DVR
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/3DVR/

3DVR@yahoogroups.com

 

Note: To participate in this course you must 1) Join the above Yahoo Group, 2) Have a blogger.com account as described below, and 3) Have a headset/microphone

 

Web log (BLOG)

Create your own course Web log (blog) at http://blogger.com

 

Syllabus

 

Class

Topic

Overview

1

 

INTRODUCTION

Explain course objectives and course overview; ImmersiveEducation.org overview; 3D fundamentals in brief; overview of Rocket World.

Note: Roll call procedures and peer review process is covered in this class.

Note: You MUST have a headset/microphone to take this class (approx $15 at stores such as Radio Shack). If your computer has a built-in microphone you may use ear buds (such as iPod earbuds) or simply a headset. In any case you can NOT have an "open mic" in this class: the audio you hear MUST come through a headset or ear buds (not through a speaker; the audio is picked up by your microphone in such cases and creates feedback).

2

Entering the 3rd Dimension

Exploring the immersive Rocket World learning environment; fundamentals of navigating a 3D space; text and voice chat; taking screenshots for grading.

3 3D Forms and Functions

3D fundamentals: 1) depth axis, vertex points, wireframes, shading, texturing, rendering, etc., 2) Panoramic 3D vs. Real Time 3D (RT3D); 3) Static (no interaction) vs. Interactive (user-controlled camera) vs. Pre-determined camera vs. Pre-rendered (videos and movies; special effects); 4) Displays: Stereoscopic vs. projected onto 2D surface; 5) Retina painting; HMDs (trackers) vs. basic 3D goggles; 6) Haptics: Gloves, claws, body suits, Eagle Eyes.

4

Building in Open Simulator

Fundamentals of constructing basic 3D content in the Open Simulator modules of Rocket World

Note: Students begin to model 3D objects using OpenSim "primitives" (prims) in this class.

5 Group Building in Open Simulator Building complex 3D content as a group in the Open Simulator modules of Rocket World

6

Entering Open Wonderland

Overview of Open Wonderland; entering an Open Wonderland virtual world; drag-and-drop content creation in Open Wonderland;

Note: Students begin to model 3D objects using Google Sketchup in this class.

7

MIDTERM

 

SUBMIT ALL CONTENT FILES AND SCREEN SHOTS FOR GRADING (POST BLOG LINK TO 3DVR YAHOO GROUP WITH THE SUBJECT “MIDTERM COMPLETE FOR XXXXX” where “XXXXXX” IS YOUR NAME. FOR EXAMPLE: “MIDTERM COMPLETE FOR JANE DOE”)

8 Video Games vs. Virtual Worlds vs. Simulators vs. Immersive Education

Exploring the distinction between video games, virtual worlds, and simulators. Understanding the role of Immersive Education as defined by the Immersive Education Initiative (ImmersiveEducation.org)

Fundamentals of simulators featuring Rocket World "NASA Spacewalk" and "America's Army" simulators.

9

Casual Gaming vs. Immersive Gaming

Exploring video games, and the fundamental types of video games, in detail.

10

Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs)

Examining the characteristics of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) with group assignments in World of Warcraft (WoW) and Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO).

11

Synthetic Humans

Face scanning and texturing; motion capture (mocap); lip synch; sub-dermal light physics; skin reflections; robots and synthespians.

12

 

The Psychology of Immersive Environments

Exploring the psychological effects of immersive environments, including concerns of immersive illness and addiction.

13

OPEN TOPIC OPEN: DETAILS WILL BE PROVIDED DURING CLASS TIME

14

FINAL

FINAL: SUBMIT ALL CONTENT FILES AND SCREEN SHOTS FOR GRADING (POST BLOG LINK TO 3DVR YAHOO GROUP WITH THE SUBJECT “FINAL COMPLETE FOR XXXXX” where “XXXXXX” IS YOUR NAME. FOR EXAMPLE: “FINAL COMPLETE FOR JANE DOE”).