Graphical Assets Research Articles

Development of a 3D Immersive Game for Games and Systems Requirements Capture

Requirements collection and elicitation is generally recognised as an abstract and complicated area with a reputation of being underdeveloped in computing and games development graduates. It is a necessary component of computing programmes on all sides of the curriculum including software engineering, information systems and games development. One highly problematic factor is the differences between general functional software and a serious game for educational purposes and while both can be classed as software, they have entirely different purposes. Games-based learning applications have been developed for teaching requirements collection where the focus has been on gathering requirements for a software system and this has proven to be effective in some respects. This paper will focus on the development of a 3D immersive serious game for gathering the requirements for a game for entertainment and for learning. The development of the game will be informed by the creation of a serious games’ development model taking into account: learning outcomes, pedagogical content integration, general content integration in relation to graphical assets for appropriate realism and immersion, scaffolding and support mechanisms and assessment integration in relation to assessment mechanisms. Case studies will be discussed for the 3D immersive game in relation to fitness for purpose in relation to an entertainment and a serious game and compared and contrasted. The developed game will be evaluated by subject matter experts to ascertain its levels of effectiveness for gathering requirements for an entertainment game and for a serious game.

Procedural content generation method for creating 3D graphic assets in Digital Twin

The concept of Digital Twin was invented not only for a static virtual mimic of reality, but also means an evolving digital copy which could stay consistent with its physical counterpart. The life-cycle management of a product or a system could not be completed without dynamic feature, while conventional methods to create graphic assets especially 3D models for Digital Twins are still limited. In this paper, Procedural Content Generation is introduced as a potential technique which could reduce difficulty for the creation and modification of 3D graphic assets of Digital Twins. A trial project and two validation cases are executed to verify the proposed method.

Designing a nostalgic hot dog brand for Rio de Janeiro

Despite having the American hot dog as its core product, the Geneal brand gradually developed as a symbol of Rio de Janeiro. The company, a Rio de Janeiro original, grounds its brand symbolism in the past – from its surge in the early 1960s – to direct visual and content campaigns, and today its communication strategy is based on representations of the beach and other iconic symbols of the city that resemble a tropical paradise, as Rio was historically known. In this article, the main frame is to analyse the latest visual assets used for the brand’s communication and representation and ultimately understand how nostalgia plays a strategic and positive role. This research was developed through exploratory methods based on cross-disciplinary bibliographical references, an in-depth interview with the brand’s general manager, newspaper articles, empirical observation and the analysis of graphic assets showcased on its social media communication, sales campaigns, graphic displays, point of sale and brand book. Due to the strong relationship between beach symbolism and the city’s culture, this analysis presents the brand inserted into the intangible heritage of Rio de Janeiro.

BareSkinNet: De‐makeup and De‐lighting via 3D Face Reconstruction

AbstractWe propose BareSkinNet, a novel method that simultaneously removes makeup and lighting influences from the face image. Our method leverages a 3D morphable model and does not require a reference clean face image or a specified light condition. By combining the process of 3D face reconstruction, we can easily obtain 3D geometry and coarse 3D textures. Using this information, we can infer normalized 3D face texture maps (diffuse, normal, roughness, and specular) by an image‐translation network. Consequently, reconstructed 3D face textures without undesirable information will significantly benefit subsequent processes, such as re‐lighting or re‐makeup. In experiments, we show that BareSkinNet outperforms state‐of‐the‐art makeup removal methods. In addition, our method is remarkably helpful in removing makeup to generate consistent high‐fidelity texture maps, which makes it extendable to many realistic face generation applications. It can also automatically build graphic assets of face makeup images before and after with corresponding 3D data. This will assist artists in accelerating their work, such as 3D makeup avatar creation.

Teaching Through the Uncanny: Red Candle Games’ Devotion

On 19th February 2019, horror game Devotion (Huan yuan 還願) by Red Candle Games (赤燭遊戲) was launched on the popular PC platform Steam. One week later it was pulled from digital distribution after a satirical message was discovered in one of its graphical assets. In this essay we analyse how the immersive narrative deploys traditional Chinese religious imagery, supernatural literary themes, and sometimes gruesome experiences to explore issues of family, guilt, and redemption. We seek to initiate a conversation about Devotion as a significant cultural text that gives players a unique experience of the rich symbolism of Chinese religious culture. Additionally, we highlight how digital game media such as this can productively be used in teaching.

Are You Fluent in Emoji?

In my Twitter profile, I state that I’m “fluent in emoji.” When I wrote that originally, I was mostly joking. I am not laughing any longer. I have come to learn the power of the well-placed emoji, and I am here to explain to you why emojis matter. I believe emojis make our messages more accessible and approachable. They tell a story when used well. They attract the valuable attention of a reader. And they make a message more fun, approachable, and consumable! The impact and reach of a journal are about a lot more than the Journal Impact Factor. Authors are expecting us to do far more than publish their papers. They want us to make their papers immortal and to ensure that their research is talked about and remembered for years to come. An editorial office that is making great use of varied social media platforms to amplify authors and articles is equally as enticing to submitters. When an editorial office shows off an author’s work, that author remembers how well they were taken care of. Not only was their paper published, but it was celebrated! But what makes a tweet or a Facebook post or an Instagram story or a LinkedIn blurb stand out from a social media user’s endless scrolling possibilities? There is only so much time in the day. Your social media post needs to stand out from the crowd. Creating videos and graphic assets are important tools in social media, but it’s not feasible […]

A hybrid graphics/video rate control method based on graphical assets for cloud gaming

A hybrid graphics/video rate control method based on graphical assets for cloud gaming

Redesigning Kerupuk Atom PackagingAnd Label Of Kube Jaya Abadi And Up2k SawoPengudang Village, Teluk Sebong Sub-District, Bintan District

The processing of fishery products in an effort to increase the economic sector is carried out by the Kelompok Usaha Bersama (Kube) Jaya Abadi and the Usaha Peningkatan Pendapatan Keluarga (UP2K) Sawo located in Pengudang Village, Teluk Sebong Sub-district, Bintan District. One of the problems that occurred in the Kube Jaya Abadi and UP2K Sawo was the packaging and labeling of kerupuk atomthat needed repair. Through the Doktor Mengabdiprogram, the Doktor Mengabdi and Kuliah Kerja Nyata Tematikat Universitas Brawijaya offer packaging and label redesignto increase selling value to become a superior product that can penetrate a wider market. Activities carried out include gathering information through interviews via telephone and text messages, SWOT and VIEW analysis of the informationsobtained, making the new logo of the Kube Jaya Abadi and UP2K Sawo, preparing information layouts on packaging and labels, making and preparing graphic assets, creating and visualizingpackaging design, polls and selection of packaging designs to be developed, making label designs based on selected packaging designs, printing packaging and labels, as well as training and counseling on packaging and product labels. The result of this activity is knowledge about increasing the selling value of products through packaging and labels, as well as assistance with various equipment along with printed packaging and labels

Procedural Level Generation for Augmented Reality Games

Mixed reality games are those in which virtual graphical assets are overlaid on the physical world. We explore the use of procedural content generation to enhance the gameplay experience in a prototype mixed reality game. Procedural content generation is used to design levels that make use of the affordances in the player’s physical environment. Levels are tailored to gameplay difficulty and to affect how the player moves their physical body in the real world.

Development of measurement instrument for visual qualities of graphical user interface elements (VISQUAL): a test in the context of mobile game icons

Graphical user interfaces are widely common and present in everyday human–computer interaction, dominantly in computers and smartphones. Today, various actions are performed via graphical user interface elements, e.g., windows, menus and icons. An attractive user interface that adapts to user needs and preferences is progressively important as it often allows personalized information processing that facilitates interaction. However, practitioners and scholars have lacked an instrument for measuring user perception of aesthetics within graphical user interface elements to aid in creating successful graphical assets. Therefore, we studied dimensionality of ratings of different perceived aesthetic qualities in GUI elements as the foundation for the measurement instrument. First, we devised a semantic differential scale of 22 adjective pairs by combining prior scattered measures. We then conducted a vignette experiment with random participant (n = 569) assignment to evaluate 4 icons from a total of pre-selected 68 game app icons across 4 categories (concrete, abstract, character and text) using the semantic scales. This resulted in a total of 2276 individual icon evaluations. Through exploratory factor analyses, the observations converged into 5 dimensions of perceived visual quality: Excellence/Inferiority, Graciousness/Harshness, Idleness/Liveliness, Normalness/Bizarreness and Complexity/Simplicity. We then proceeded to conduct confirmatory factor analyses to test the model fit of the 5-factor model with all 22 adjective pairs as well as with an adjusted version of 15 adjective pairs. Overall, this study developed, validated, and consequently presents a measurement instrument for perceptions of visual qualities of graphical user interfaces and/or singular interface elements (VISQUAL) that can be used in multiple ways in several contexts related to visual human-computer interaction, interfaces and their adaption.

A Prototype Exercise-Empowerment Mobile Video Game for Children With Cancer, and Its Usability Assessment: Developing Digital Empowerment Interventions for Pediatric Diseases.

Medical advances continue to improve morbidity and mortality of serious pediatric diseases, including cancer, driving research addressing diminished physical and psychological quality of life in children with these chronic conditions. Empowerment enhances resilience and positively influences health, disease, and therapy understanding. We describe the development and usability assessment of a prototype Empower Stars! mobile video game grounded in behavioral and exercise theories with the purpose of coupling physical exercise with empowerment over disease in children with cancer. Academic faculty, health-care providers, and community video game developers collaborated in this project. The iPadAir was selected as a delivery platform for its accelerometer and gyroscope features facilitating exercise design. Unity multiplatform technology provided animation and audiovisual features for immediate player feedback. Javascript, C#, Photoshop, Flash, and SketchUp were used for coding, creating graphical assets, Sprite sheets, and printing files, respectively. 3D-printed handles and case backing were used to adapt the iPad for physical exercise. Game usability, engagement, and enjoyment were assessed via a multilevel study of children undergoing cancer chemotherapy, their parents, and pediatric cancer health-care providers. Feedback crucial for ongoing game development was analyzed. A prototype Empower Stars! mobile video game was developed for children 7-14 years old with cancer. Active, sedentary, educational, and empowerment-centered elements intermix for 20 min of exercise within a 30 min "one-day treatment" gameplay session involving superheroes, space exploration, metaphorical cancer challenges, life restoration on a barren planet, and innumerable star rewards. No player "dies." Usability assessment data analyses showed widespread enthusiasm for integrating exercise with empowerment over cancer and the game itself. Favorite elements included collecting star rewards and planet terraforming. Traveling in space and the Healthy Food Choice game were least liked. The need for improved gameplay instructions was expressed by all groups. The usability study provided essential feedback for converting the prototype into alpha version of Empower Stars! Adapting exercise empowerment-promoting video game technology to mobile platforms facilitates usability and widespread dissemination for children with cancer. We discuss broader therapeutic applicability in diverse chronic pediatric diseases, including obesity, asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.