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This study presents a method for capturing photographs of users as input and converting them into 2D character animation sprites using a generative adversarial network-based artificial intelligence network. Traditionally, 2D character animations have been created by manually creating an entire sequence of sprite images, which incurs high development costs. To address this issue, this study proposes a technique that combines motion videos and sample 2D images. In the 2D sprite generation process that uses the proposed technique, a sequence of images is extracted from real-life images captured by the user, and these are combined with character images from within the game. Our research aims to leverage cutting-edge deep learning-based image manipulation techniques, such as the GAN-based motion transfer network (impersonator) and background noise removal (U2-Net), to generate a sequence of animation sprites from a single image. The proposed technique enables the creation of diverse animations and motions just one image. By utilizing these advancements, we focus on enhancing productivity in the game and animation industry through improved efficiency and streamlined production processes. By employing state-of-the-art techniques, our research enables the generation of 2D sprite images with various motions, offering significant potential for boosting productivity and creativity in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the problems caused by garbage have become more and more serious, and many countries have begun to advocate the concept of environmental protection. China has also begun to implement the policy of waste classification, but the effect is not ideal. This is because the publicity of waste classification knowledge has not reached good expectations, and the traditional propaganda means such as static graphics and text can not give people a deep impression. Therefore, in order to better achieve the knowledge publicity of garbage classification, under the conditions of the continuous maturity of Internet technology and 5g technology, relying on virtual reality technology, combined with novel game mode and immersive game experience, through games, players' interest in learning garbage classification knowledge is increased, so as to improve the knowledge publicity efficiency of garbage classification. This paper discusses and studies a series of key technologies used in virtual simulation games, which use unity 3D as the development editor of the game engine, 3D Max as the model creation tool, shadow creator SDK as the VR technical support, and action one headset to display the game content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scrum software development has brought new ideas and tools in the software development industry. This study is a finding that the scrum can be a guideline for building mobile-based Virtual Reality applications as a new medium for learning English that is still conventional and has not applied technology to support the teaching and learning process of learning English. Scrum Software provides a framework for managing the iterative and incremental process for building VR applications. The results of this study indicate that a series of Sprint plans contained in the Scrum method have a positive impact and affect the quality of virtual reality mobile application games in English learning and also reveal the theoretical and practical implications that repeated feedback has a moderating effect on the relationship between Sprint planning and quality in VR games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a structured series of lessons for teaching undergraduate computer science or game development students how to construct a game engine using C++ and standard graphics APIs such as OpenGL or DirectX. Our proposed course content discusses rendering topics, game object management, scene management, and rigid body physics where learners are tasked to incorporate them into a fully functional prototype scene editor. By incorporating actual coding into the course, students can gain a better understanding of low-level engine features and also hone their programming skills. In addition to the learning content, we provide recommended assessment methods. We include discussions about our teaching experience in handling a game engine architecture course, titled GDENG03, which 36 students have passed. Our paper stands out from related works by providing a framework for interested educators on how to write a 3D game engine and how to teach the same in class. Based on our actual delivery of GDENG03, all 36 students achieved high scores of > 80 % out of 100 which demonstrates the effectiveness of our learning content. We received positive student feedback, such as a better appreciation of game engines, while suggestions for course improvement were raised, such as using simpler terminologies and better workload management. Based on student scores and feedback, we can attribute the success of our students' learning to our inclusion of practical coding examples and discussions, highlighting their relevance to mainstream game engines. The learning materials and accompanying source code can be accessed in the following link:. • A learning content is proposed that aims to teach undergraduate students how to develop their own game engine using only C++ and a graphics API. Learners are taught how to create a functional 3D scene editor. • Assessment methods are presented for assessing a student's mastery of the game engine architecture course. • Positive feedback and experiences were reported by students during the actual course delivery. • Comprehensive materials, including the scene editor's working source code and PowerPoint files, are publicly accessible at this link:. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with diagnosis of down syndrome has different kinds of personalities, mental states, and talents similar to other children. The key point is that every child needs proper support at the right time. There are options like special education programs, physical and other therapies, and play groups. However, there are not any electronic games to support the education and improvement of these children. The goal of this study is to develop a mobile game for children with down syndrome, in order to help them learn everyday knowledge by using a mobile device such as a smart phone or a tablet. In most cases pedagogues use puzzle or paper-based card games to teach these children the necessary knowledge they need to maintain their lives. This study aims to optimize the learning process of children with down syndrome by providing educators electronic games they can use to teach them in a mobile application which will enrich the teaching process in addition to update their teaching methods to Industry 4.0 standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cancellation of the Spring showcase for the Game Prototyping and Animation and Game Design Senior Capstone courses at Kent State University fundamentally changed these courses' pedagogy. This showcase is an opportunity for students to practice vital professional practice skills, such as displaying and promoting work to audiences, with instructors grading students on how they manage these tasks. "Suddenly-online" meant potentially losing both practice and assessment in courses that otherwise emphasize professional development. This article tells how these courses adapted to their new all-digital reality through platform case studies and industry best-practices for marketing and event organization. Students and faculty organized BlatherCade, an online game event that used GameJolt, a digital marketplace for independent games, and the Nintendo Switch game Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This article provides a post-mortem of the event, highlighting challenges and successes of working with these platforms, and suggests best-practices for future work in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital technology provides opportunities for new product development and innovation through affordances. However, in digital innovation, human actors are constrained by the design of technology and its interaction with different aspects of the socio-technical context. In this article, we investigate the relationship between digital technology and developers in a video game development company and its role in supporting and hindering digital innovation. We build on theory of affordances and constraints in answering the research question: How does the actualization of affordances in video game development influence the innovation process and outcome? Based on empirical analysis, we identify four affordances: Tool development, prototyping, user testing, and patching. We theorize affordance actualization and distinguish between innovation outcome and process innovation affordances. Furthermore, we theorize the dependencies between human actors, the organization, and technology in the affordance actualization process and mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of block-based environments aims to facilitate the problems caused by the abstractness of text-based languages. Recent studies generally focus on the effect of having block-based experience on programming education. This study is an attempt to observe the transfer of previous programming experiences (block-based vs. text-based) into a three-dimensional game-making environment through the use of backwards fading. In addition to observation of transfer, students' perceptions about the difficulty of practices were also investigated. Twenty-one senior university students participated in the study. They practiced through worked example, completion example, and full practice. Moreover, the comparison of the contribution of three examples, their perceived difficulty, and cognitive load has also been observed. There are four main findings that add value to the current literature. First, students having text-based programming experience had higher scores, which may be a sign of far transfer; second, completion example format was more efficient for students having block-based programming experience; third, full practice format was perceived as more difficult than either worked example or completion example; and fourth, based on the efficiency of example formats, completion example represented high efficiency for all students. However, average efficiency of all example formats has represented high efficiency for students, who had text-based programming experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an image generation method using a Multi Discriminator Generative Adversarial Net (MDGAN) as a next generation 2D game sprite creation technique. The proposed GAN is an Autoencoder-based model that receives three areas of information—color, shape, and animation, and combines them into new images. This model consists of two encoders that extract color and shape from each image, and a decoder that takes all the values of each encoder and generates an animated image. We also suggest an image processing technique during the learning process to remove the noise of the generated images. The resulting images show that 2D sprites in games can be generated by independently learning the three image attributes of shape, color, and animation. The proposed system can increase the productivity of massive 2D image modification work during the game development process. The experimental results demonstrate that our MDGAN can be used for 2D image sprite generation and modification work with little manual cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of digital devices, information and communication technology, and software, value creation and capture logics have evolved, and new ones have emerged. The video game industry has been a forerunner in this evolution. It has grown from an industry that revolved primarily around entertainment to one that engages game developers, users, spectators, and countless actors, becoming intertwined with many other entertainment and non-entertainment industries, such as education and health management. Although the economic importance of the video game industry has been rapidly increasing over the last two decades or so, research on value creation and capture in the video game industry has remained fragmented and predominantly based on transactional and static views. By addressing theoretical shortcomings and oversights in prior literature, this integrative review of 278 studies makes three key contributions. First, we highlight shortcomings in the current body of knowledge. Second, we craft an integrated framework of value creation and capture logics, which we have conceptualized as the multiplex of value creation logics. Third, we provide future research directions and perspectives on the future evolution of value creation and capture logics, both in and across markets and industry sectors. • Value creation and capture logics in the video game industry have evolved. • Yet, prior literature has been predominantly based on static views. • This integrative review focuses on 278 studies published in the last 20 years. • Framework for the multiplex of value creation and capture logics is presented. • The framework generates promising research avenues in digitized industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It may be difficult for some language teachers to identify how they can improve and what changes they ought to make to their language teaching. This paper proposes that teachers may benefit from learning about the concept of game playability in Human-Computer Interaction and game development and then applying the concept of playability to the language teaching and learning that occurs in their classroom. We begin by summarizing the factors and attributes of playability identified by Sánchez, Gutiérrez Vela, Simmaro, and Padilla-Zea (2012) and then compare these to factors and attributes of language teaching and learning. Lastly, in an attempt to help teachers apply the concept of playability to their language teaching, this paper proposes four self-reflection activities, a method of conducting teaching peer-review, and a form for students to evaluate teachers' activities and tasks, using playability as a framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presently, the advancement of modern digital technology has increasingly influenced playing and learning. This may cause serious problems in children because it possibly encourages them to obsess over something else easily. However, most parents want their children to be good in classes. Additionally, mathematics is one of the most basic skills that most parents expect their children to master. In order to encourage students to pay more attention to mathematics, the mathematical game referred as to 'Animo Math' has been developed for children aged 5-7 years. This game enables children to pick the cartoon animals representing themselves while playing the game. Colourful cartoon and music are utilised to attract the attention of children. More importantly, the game aims to serve children who have different ages and mathematical skills; therefore artificial intelligence (AI) is adopted. In order to develop the computer-based role-playing game, a usability testing is conducted to obtain better aspects of building this educational computer game for children. We anticipate that our research findings related to this game will encourage more educators and others to develop more software applications in order to enhance students' mathematics learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their potential, the market for educational serious games (SGs) is still limited, partly because of the high design and production costs. In this paper, we propose a game-engine plug-in for efficient development of a format of investigation in SGs that we designed in order to support discovery-learning in information-rich virtual environments. After describing the framework, the paper presents its application to the development of “Can’s Crime”, a SG teaching industrial production processes. Data from a preliminary pilot have shown that using the new module allows a significant reduction in development time. Moreover, creation of an abstraction level over the game engine allows improving structured content organization, which is in turn expected to enhance maintainability and modularity. We argue that the same approach could be employed to other game formats, especially in the emerging context of developing games as services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ascertain their readiness to be discharged from care, secure forensic mental health service users are often given restricted access to their local communities. However, this can be stressful for the service user and expose the public to potential risks. Therefore, new research was undertaken to explore whether a computer-based serious game could enable service users to explore their responses to community based risk situations in a safe environment. Creating a serious game for use in a secure forensic mental health setting is itself both novel and problematic, and the initial research sought to test the feasibility and acceptance of the game. This paper reports first results from working with service users to develop a prototype game that accurately describes their experiences and expectations to lay the foundations for a clinically effective tool and achieve acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ascertain their readiness to be discharged from care, secure forensic mental health service users are often given restricted access to their local communities. However, this can be stressful for the service user and expose the public to potential risks. Therefore, new research was undertaken to explore whether a computer-based serious game could enable service users to explore their responses to community based risk situations in a safe environment. Creating a serious game for use in a secure forensic mental health setting is itself both novel and problematic, and the initial research sought to test the feasibility and acceptance of the game. This paper reports first results from working with service users to develop a prototype game that accurately describes their experiences and expectations to lay the foundations for a clinically effective tool and achieve acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• An optimization solution for real-time procedural content generation in a 2D game. • The 2-D game environment is generated via a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). • The role of PSO parameters in optimization stability is experimentally analyzed. • PSO results are compared with those of a previous Genetic Algorithm solution. • PSO achieved higher quality solutions in fewer iterations and less time. Given the ever-increasing competition in the digital gaming industry, induced by a market of an exponentially growing gamer population, the production of creative, coherent, and appealing games has become inherently more complex. Creating game content by hand is both costly and time-consuming. By automating or assisting programmers and designers in their tasks, the techniques of procedural content generation (PCG) for games may address these challenges. PCG is not new, being active for several decades. However, the more traditional (and popular) form of PCG is somehow limited. It relies on some basic techniques ranging from simple pseudo-random number generators, generative grammars, image filtering, and spatial algorithms. The most advanced forms of PCG may utilize the modeling and simulation of complex systems and techniques from Artificial Intelligence (AI). In this context, this paper proposes a novel PCG approach, which is based on an optimization algorithm, known as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Our approach is tested on a 2D endless platform runner game. The game structure (based on the Godot Game Engine) and a previous solution using Genetic Algorithms (GA) were first proposed and evaluated in an earlier work. In this paper, besides proposing the novel solution using PSO, we performed a comparative evaluation between the novel and previous solutions. The fitness function, utilized by both algorithms, takes into account the game's environment aesthetics, physics, and some rules associated with gameplay, so that the generated environments are both enjoyable and playable. Our experiments evaluated time viability for in-game real-time generation and convergence to high/stable fitness values. We discovered hyper parameter ranges that yielded viable solutions. In the end, PSO has proven to be better suited to the investigated PCG task than the GA, since it presented faster convergence time and higher fitness function values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middleware serves the varying needs of game genres and developers. This paper reviews major 3D game engines in the industry and discusses the functional decomposition of current game middleware. We also identify the requirements for middleware in game development processes. In particular, the paper proposes the design of a next-generation game middleware for massively multiplayer online games based on serviceoriented peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, which facilitates data and resource sharing in heterogeneous P2P networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A methodology is developed for using mathematical generalization to generalize games. • The methodology is applied to create graphical variants of simple physical games. • The circular shift operator is generalized from a discrete to a continuous parameter. • The generalized shift operator is applied to create novel variants of sliding puzzle games. • The methodology is shown to yield aesthetically interesting graphics suitable for smart devices. In this paper we introduce a novel strategy for generalizing existing puzzles and games by mathematically expressing the operations of the game; then deriving mathematical generalizations of those expressions; and finally implementing a new variant of the game using those generalized operations. The strategy is illustrated in a case study involving the adapting of a traditional game/puzzle to exploit the computational power of smart devices. The focus here is not so much on the end product as it is on the process and considerations underpinning its development by use of the proposed approach. Ancillary results of the venture include generalizations of the circular-shift operator and examination of its computational complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present BPAlt – a system which allows game developers to create and manage alternatives for Unreal Engine 's Blueprints Visual Scripting System. BPAlt allows the user to create, save, organize and swap Blueprint alternatives for rapid testing and experimentation. BPAlt also supports level alternatives, alternatives of alternatives through alternative scenarios, and allows merging of alternatives. We conducted a preliminary user study with 10 moderately skilled participants where we compared the usability, usefulness and creativity support of BPAlt to Unreal Engine alone for prototyping alternatives of game objects and mechanics in four different games. The findings suggest that the support for alternatives with the main features of BPAlt is beneficial in the game developers' workflow as it supports exploration particularly well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Game research and game development have different dissemination practices. • Social sciences research is slow compared to the evolution of the gaming market. • Academic research can be difficult to access for game developers. • As a result, social sciences research in games is often ignored by game developers. • Measures can be taken to increase developers' awareness of social sciences research. Research in the social sciences devotes a great amount of attention to investigating the impact of video games on the individual and on society. However, results generated by this research often fail to inform game development. The present study investigated the outreach of research conducted by the academic community by interviewing 30 game developers and 14 researchers, highlighting critical aspects in the relationship between game research and game industry. Specifically, we found that the difference in priorities, speed cycles, and dissemination practices between these two contexts hinder communication. Subsequently, we carried out a focus group for a set of developers and researchers (N = 6) with the aim of eliciting recommendation for improving communication between academics and developers. Among the recommendations to emerge were calls to diversify dissemination channels, promote joint conferences and develop research-production partnerships. It was felt such measures could strengthen the influence of research results outside the academic community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Analyzed a large sample (n = 1,616) of Steam achievement data to find game completion patterns. • Discovered that very few players (M = 14%, Mdn = 10%) complete their games. • However, there are some notable outliers with completion rates as high as 57.6%. • Factors, such as ratings and price, positively correlated to higher completion rates. Game development project managers and product owners, such as directors, producers, and studio heads, rely on experience-based tacit knowledge to decide how much content to create for players. However, they could be operating on a misunderstanding of the way their players consume game content and how much game content is desirable to players. This research presents the results of data mining video game "achievement" data to discover trends in game completion rates and correlations to factors outside of the length of the game itself. Through tagging game achievements that signal a player has "finished" the primary single-player content, this research discovered that, for most games, few players will consume the provided content, although "higher quality" content does maintain a higher player retention rate. With an understanding of how players consume game content, project managers and product owners can make more informed decisions on project scope, which could reduce game budgets and improve production efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An innovative tool for assessment integration in educational games (EngAGe) • EngAGe is used by developers for guidelines on assessment and learning analytics. • EngAGe is used by educators to modify games and visualise learning analytics. • The engine's usability and usefulness was evaluated quantitatively by 36 developers. • Findings confirm that EngAGe can be used effectively by educational games developers. Educational games are highly engaging, motivating and they offer many advantages as a supplementary tool for education. However, the development of educational games is very complex, essentially because of its multidisciplinary aspect. Fully integrating assessment is challenging and the games created are too often distributed as blackboxes; unmodifiable by the teachers and not providing much insight about the gameplays. We propose an assessment engine, EngAGe, to overcome these issues. EngAGe is used by both developers and educators. It is designed to separate game and assessment. Developers use it to easily integrate assessment into educational games and teachers can then modify the assessment and visualise learning analytics via an online interface. This paper focuses on EngAGe's benefits for games developers. It presents a quantitative evaluation carried out with 36 developers (7 experienced and 29 students). Findings were very positive: every feature of the engine was rated useful and EngAGe received a usability score of 64 using the System Usability Scale. A Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference in usability (Z = −3.34, p < 0.002) between novice developers (mean = 56) and experienced developers (mean = 71) but none in terms of usefulness. This paper concludes that developers can use EngAGe effectively to integrate assessment and learning analytics in educational games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]