Friday, June 26, 2015
Final Project: Final Draft
Here's the final draft of my Platformer game. I've added numerous sound effects, a 4th (And toughest) level, as well as a win screen that shows you your final score and gives the option to replay.
Controls:
WASD/Arrow keys to move
Space to jump
Perfect score is 75
Site Specific Installation
Find any new media/interactive presence in the industry and describe why it is innovative and successful or why it is not successful.
When I think of new media platforms that have influenced the industry I think Netflix. What used to be a lowly dvd rental site has not become a staple platform for video entertainment. By cutting out the entire process of having to visit the rental store and return the videos within a certain time, they almost single-handedly overturned the huge video rental industry and streamlined it into an online on-demand service. It has reached a point to where they are nearly their own major broadcaster, with tv series of their own to boost their own brand.
These sort of new platforms may destroy a lot of past companies in its rise to power, but progress must always win. This sort of same process is currently going on in the transportation industry, specifically the debacle between companies like Uber and Lyft and the taxi services. With simple interactive media that connects people together, the entire Taxi industry is being overturned. It's proof that something as simple as an app with nothing but a simple UI and a network can change the world.
When I think of new media platforms that have influenced the industry I think Netflix. What used to be a lowly dvd rental site has not become a staple platform for video entertainment. By cutting out the entire process of having to visit the rental store and return the videos within a certain time, they almost single-handedly overturned the huge video rental industry and streamlined it into an online on-demand service. It has reached a point to where they are nearly their own major broadcaster, with tv series of their own to boost their own brand.
These sort of new platforms may destroy a lot of past companies in its rise to power, but progress must always win. This sort of same process is currently going on in the transportation industry, specifically the debacle between companies like Uber and Lyft and the taxi services. With simple interactive media that connects people together, the entire Taxi industry is being overturned. It's proof that something as simple as an app with nothing but a simple UI and a network can change the world.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Interactive Storytelling
Do you prefer Interactive or traditional storytelling? Why?
While I typically prefer interactive storytelling, I still find immense value in tradition non-interactive stories. Interactivity brings your into the story, you become an active participant, and the result is made a as a part of your actions. This adds a whole new level to experiencing the story.
I think interactivity does place some limits on the story currently, it always has to end up in a certain number of permutations. This is more a result of the limits of current technology than any design decisions. A plot is usually a very complex thing, with near endless possibilities for how characters can act and how chances can result. In this way currently traditional stories are usually more nuanced in their character traits and plot details. Not having to depend on the viewer interactivity means the plot can move at practically any pace and potentially leave the viewer out on key details even though the characters themselves are aware. This can lead to a better viewer experience in the long run.
Still, I prefer interactive storytelling as it has the greatest potential for moving experiences once the technology is better suited to its purpose.
While I typically prefer interactive storytelling, I still find immense value in tradition non-interactive stories. Interactivity brings your into the story, you become an active participant, and the result is made a as a part of your actions. This adds a whole new level to experiencing the story.
I think interactivity does place some limits on the story currently, it always has to end up in a certain number of permutations. This is more a result of the limits of current technology than any design decisions. A plot is usually a very complex thing, with near endless possibilities for how characters can act and how chances can result. In this way currently traditional stories are usually more nuanced in their character traits and plot details. Not having to depend on the viewer interactivity means the plot can move at practically any pace and potentially leave the viewer out on key details even though the characters themselves are aware. This can lead to a better viewer experience in the long run.
Still, I prefer interactive storytelling as it has the greatest potential for moving experiences once the technology is better suited to its purpose.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Augmented Reality
Discussion topic: What is your recent AR technology experience? Describe why it is important.
My most recent experience with AR is from watching the Microsoft demo of their new Hololens project at E3. They showed both its practicality and entertainment value but showing common apps that can be 'projected' into your living room, as well as games that can come alive on your own tables.
While the technology is far from invisible, it is one step closer to living in a partially virtual environment. This will open the way for all kinds of new ideas for how to live and how to consider interior design. As AR becomes more ubiquitous and invisible (in the sense of you can't see the hardware, not that you can't see the virtual objects) it will become a regular part of every day life and everyone will be able to customize their spaces to a greater extent and faster than ever.
When AR is commonplace, relevant information for anything will be readily available at a moments notice, and everyone will be surrounded by information they are interested in. Being constantly surrounded by new information can promote learning and accepting of new ideas, and of course potentially overwhelming. AR will have to be always there, but never intrusive or distracting.
My most recent experience with AR is from watching the Microsoft demo of their new Hololens project at E3. They showed both its practicality and entertainment value but showing common apps that can be 'projected' into your living room, as well as games that can come alive on your own tables.
While the technology is far from invisible, it is one step closer to living in a partially virtual environment. This will open the way for all kinds of new ideas for how to live and how to consider interior design. As AR becomes more ubiquitous and invisible (in the sense of you can't see the hardware, not that you can't see the virtual objects) it will become a regular part of every day life and everyone will be able to customize their spaces to a greater extent and faster than ever.
When AR is commonplace, relevant information for anything will be readily available at a moments notice, and everyone will be surrounded by information they are interested in. Being constantly surrounded by new information can promote learning and accepting of new ideas, and of course potentially overwhelming. AR will have to be always there, but never intrusive or distracting.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Final Project: Draft 2
Here's the second draft of my platformer game.
I've added a currency system for a score, coins to pick up on each level, and I've added a third level.
WASD/Arrow keys to move
Space to jump
I've added a currency system for a score, coins to pick up on each level, and I've added a third level.
WASD/Arrow keys to move
Space to jump
Virtual Reality
What is your perception of the future of VR?
VR has a long ways to go. The best technology we have provides believable visual images, but when it comes to all other aspects of reality by which we are immersed VR is still very lacking. The future of VR is an exploration in what our senses exactly do, and how best to simulate the inputs of those senses to create a believable model of reality. There are many problems to solve, such as how we can deal with people moving around and exploring the virtual world from inside their living room. It is a completely unexplored space that will likely result in many of our previous ideas about VR being demolished. All we can say for certain is that VR in the future will be even more immersive and believable than it is today.
A part from technicality, the future of VR will bring about many changes in popular media. There is no limit to the applications, from virtual classrooms to virtual social spots. People from around the world can meet others in avatar form and chat while in completely impossible locations, like the inside of a volcano or in the void of space. Children can be taught about historical events or science by actually seeing the relevant events take place before them. Seeing something in 3D as if you were actually there is no doubt better than watching a screen, just the extent to which VR will replace screens is to be discovered.
VR will be used for work, entertainment, and everything in between. Once people can readily create their own virtual environments, there will be almost nothing that anyone with the hardware will not be able to experience for themselves.
VR has a long ways to go. The best technology we have provides believable visual images, but when it comes to all other aspects of reality by which we are immersed VR is still very lacking. The future of VR is an exploration in what our senses exactly do, and how best to simulate the inputs of those senses to create a believable model of reality. There are many problems to solve, such as how we can deal with people moving around and exploring the virtual world from inside their living room. It is a completely unexplored space that will likely result in many of our previous ideas about VR being demolished. All we can say for certain is that VR in the future will be even more immersive and believable than it is today.
A part from technicality, the future of VR will bring about many changes in popular media. There is no limit to the applications, from virtual classrooms to virtual social spots. People from around the world can meet others in avatar form and chat while in completely impossible locations, like the inside of a volcano or in the void of space. Children can be taught about historical events or science by actually seeing the relevant events take place before them. Seeing something in 3D as if you were actually there is no doubt better than watching a screen, just the extent to which VR will replace screens is to be discovered.
VR will be used for work, entertainment, and everything in between. Once people can readily create their own virtual environments, there will be almost nothing that anyone with the hardware will not be able to experience for themselves.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Interactive Arts
Discussion topic: How does interactivity change classic art trends?
Interactivity changes everything. When the viewer's actions affect the art itself, they become a part of the piece itself. Depending on the level of interactivity, the view could be a central part of the entire piece, meaning the art will be very different for each viewer.
When adding an interactive element to an art piece you must take into account all the possible ways people could possibly interact with it. If you miss something obvious then the piece might lose its spark of life that makes it interesting. Because of this, having interactive elements centered around things we usually interact with is an easier option because it is much more likely you'll be able to consider all the possible ways of interaction.
If you understand all the possible forms of interaction with your piece you can start to think of what each method of interactions purpose or sentiment is. By considering this you can find the best way for the art to react in order to further its full interact-ability.
With most forms of interaction that you can add, you are giving up a part of your power on the piece and giving it to any potential viewer, which most certainly has a visible effect on the finished work.
Interactivity changes everything. When the viewer's actions affect the art itself, they become a part of the piece itself. Depending on the level of interactivity, the view could be a central part of the entire piece, meaning the art will be very different for each viewer.
When adding an interactive element to an art piece you must take into account all the possible ways people could possibly interact with it. If you miss something obvious then the piece might lose its spark of life that makes it interesting. Because of this, having interactive elements centered around things we usually interact with is an easier option because it is much more likely you'll be able to consider all the possible ways of interaction.
If you understand all the possible forms of interaction with your piece you can start to think of what each method of interactions purpose or sentiment is. By considering this you can find the best way for the art to react in order to further its full interact-ability.
With most forms of interaction that you can add, you are giving up a part of your power on the piece and giving it to any potential viewer, which most certainly has a visible effect on the finished work.
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