Sutherland Shire Libraries Staff News

In this entry I thought that I'd let you know what the next two speakers at the R U Game seminar had to say.

Martin Masek from Edith Cowan University presented work done on AE2 Commander, an authentic WWI submarine computer simulation. The AE2 was an Australian submarine that featured in naval operations in support of the Gallipoli landings in 1915. Its mission was to wreak havoc on Turkish shipping. The submarine was eventually sunk with no casualties.

The main points of Martin's talk were:

• The project looks at the role of computer simulation in the archives online space and aims to foster an understanding of how original sources can be used as part of computer simulation and serious gaming.
• There are many game engines that you can choose from when creating a serious game. Some offer free help (the unity engine and the unreal development kit) while others offer cheap help eg Torque 3D.
• Before making the submarine program, another program was developed in Torque 3D. Martin's team created a virtual robot on wheels which explores and maps the environment and reports information that can be used in a war situation. The team found that it was more difficult creating the submarine simulation in this game engine.
• The War Museum in Canberra helped with creating goals, story and narrative for the game as they have a lot of original material.
• The setting for the simulation is an actual place so Google Earth was used as a reference art.
• The game challenges you to control the submarines' progress and keep it out of harms way.
• When the game is completed it will be possible to play the game on the Net, though it will be a big download.
• Martin is aiming to have the simulation completed and ready to present on Anzac Day 2011.

Jaap and Erik from Delft Public Library

• Made the point that their library contains all kinds of media. They pose the question what will the media of the future be?
• More than half of the population play games. There is an area in their library where library customers can play Wii Sports games. This is well used.
• People who are not connected to the Internet at home are able to add content to the web at their library.
• Gaming in the library has brought people from different social classes together.
• The library hosts students who are learning game or interactive media design. It is opportune that the library is next to a technology university.
• Jaap and Erik are convinced that books are one of the best technologies ever invented and that they will never disappear.
• Events for different ages are held overs some weekends as well as monthly tournaments. Last year a 48 hour LAN (local area network) party was held. This proved to be very popular. Participants carried their own monitors and drives under each arm - quite a sight.
• The library gave space to 16 students to enable them to develop a game as part of their training/course work. The resulting game 'Dark Ink' is part fun and part education. The players try to stop the evil force drawing the ink out of library books. The finished demo lasts for about half an hour.
• Jaap and Erik showed the audience their 'touch table'. The table is able to recognise a customers card and produce a map of the street where the customer lives. The table has a touch screen set up.

Part 3 coming up

Michael