Concept Proposal, Contextual Analysis and Bibliography

To view a PDF file of my Concept Proposal, Contextual Analysis and Bibliography, please click the links below:

Concept Proposal

Contextual Analysis

Bibliography

file:///Users/ifrimp/Desktop/Virtual%20Space/Virtual%20Space%20Bibliography2.pdf

file:///Users/ifrimp/Desktop/Virtual%20Space/Virtual%20Space%20Concept%20Proposal2.pdf

file:///Users/ifrimp/Desktop/Virtual%20Space/Virtual%20Space%20Contextual%20Analysis2.pdf

Links and Other Resources

Here is a list of links to websites that I have also looked at whilst researching for this modules first assessment:

ARS VITUA GALLERY - http://arsvirtua.com/

LITTLE BIG PLANET - http://www.oesd.wednet.edu/blog/index.php?q=node/83

THE OCACAO - http://www.theocacao.com/

GAMES DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE - http://www.gdconf.com/

GAME SPOT - http://uk.gamespot.com/

'"FLOW" FOR PLAYSTATION 3 - http://www.us.playstation.com/flOw/

VRML - http://www.parallelgraphics.com/products/cortona/

SMART LAB - http://www.smartlab.uk.com/

EVERYWARE - http://www.studies-observations.com/everyware/

Little Big Planet

Google Sketchup

Google earth is also very easy to use and compose 3D models. If you compare it to other 3D modeling software's such as Maya, Google Earth uses a more physical approach rather than a technical approach. I learnt that if you wish to create models for Google Earth you simply place an image from Google Earth's virtual world into Sketchup an then you model the 3D model on the image as a reference. Once you have finished your 3D model you can submit it for other users to view. 

The three images is one 

Google Earth

Google Earth will be a fundamental part of my assessment 2 project. The reason for me wanting to use this software was a result from an introduction from my lecturer during one of our workshops. I instantly grew great interest in the relation of its 'Mirror World' Google Sketchup and how you can use the both pieces of softwares  to create realistic 3D models efficiently. The fact that they both came across easy to use and that helps as i have limited 3D modeling skills. Google Earth is a realistic Earth simulation engine which has quite high resolution images in some areas of the world, as a result from satellite technology. These top view maps are placed in a virtual earth which you can effortlessly navigate around in. It is very similar to the "Street Map"  website were you can obtain top view images and map diagrams of any UK place.

Here are some images of Google Earth

Delicious Library

Delicious Library was introduced to me during the lecture. This piece of software is a catalogue of books, movies, videos, games and music which allows you to identify your media collection by either entering its name, barcode or most interestingly by scanning the barcode using you computers camera.  

As you can see, when selected, a window showing the camera's view appears with a scanner effect. All that is required then is to scan the barcode of the product and all of the details will appear on the screen.

It shows anything you need to know about the product and it neatly organises all of your products alphabetically in it 'Digital Shelf'.

It is a truly amazing piece of software, which instantly impressed me when it was demonstrated to me.

The Sims

As I have stated in the previously stated in my last blog entry, I instantly identified similarities between Second Life and The Sims game. I have previously had brief experiences with the Sims game and likewise to Second Life, lost interest quite quickly whilst playing the game. The similarities between the two virtual spaces include controlling avatars. The objectives are similar as you can consider them to be life simulations. There are also edit functions available within the game. The avatars carry out day to day activities you would expect in real life. For example you are required to find a job in order to earn enough money to pay for the house you live in. You have health bars that show you how well or sick you are. This can be a result of lack of sleep and so on.

Second Life

During the workshop I was introduced to Second Life, the virtual world which allows its users to create an avatar and live a 'second life', you meet people from all over the world through the internet. I found it very similar to the 'Sims' games series as you can control your avatar to carry out day to day human activities. I guess the main curiosity about Second Life is how the users choose to represent themselves in terms of appearance and gender and how do their personalities change whilst in the virtual world compared to the real world. Personally I preferred to create an avatar resembling me in terms of appearance and found myself spending vast amounts of time tweaking and playing with the edit appearance tool. I found problems removing the hair, and after a few minutes exploring the virtual world and eventually lost interest. I guess its because of my outgoing personality as I do spend much of my time outdoors.

Here are two screen shots of Second Life

Edit Appearance Tool

Second Life Virtual World