IGB388 Design and Development of Immersive Environments

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This immersive systems unit addresses the core concepts, requirements and practices of immersive system design and development and the factors that influence the subjective user quality of immersive experiences. It introduces the major considerations and techniques for laying out immersive system designs and then the software engineering principles required to implement such systems. The ability to design and implement 3D spaces and user interactions suitable to immersive systems are covered at a general level, suitable for use in many sectors of the immersive technology industry, such as education and training, interactive entertainment, amongst others.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Explain underlying theory of immersive systems architectures and the ethical issues associated with immersive systems design.
2. Design an immersive 3D environment and interface suitable for immersive industry applications.
3. Develop an immersive 3D environment and interface using a major game engine
4. Playtest an immersive system with users and stakeholders and respond to feedback.
5. Collaborate in a team environment by managing self and others to achieve an on-time outcome for a client.
6. Communicate using effective written and oral communication skills to peers and stakeholders.

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit adopts a blended learning approach that includes a combination of interactive lectures, practical workshops sessions where you will engage in collaborative activities with peers and tutors and the use of a unit communications channel designed to facilitate communication with your peers and teaching staff outside of scheduled classes.

The interactive lectures are designed to explore key concepts, examine real world examples of AR and VR experiences, including case studies and discussions relating to First Nation Australians' use of VR and AR technologies for preserving history and culture. Importantly, protocols for engaging in partnership with First Nation Australians' and other cultures will be explained during interactive lectures. 

The practical sessions are focussed on translating theory into practice where you will build small AR/VR implementations help you to develop your own understanding of the concepts and engage with them at a deeper level. These sessions will involve you design, development and problem-solving. As an advanced unit, you are expected to undertake your own independent research to find solutions to challenges. Teaching staff will provide you with constructive feedback on your progress and understanding, with peers will providing you with constructive feedback on your solutions. 

You can expect to spend between 10 - 15 hours per week on average involved in attending all scheduled interactive lectures and workshops, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will have a range of opportunities to receive feedback on your learning and progress in this unit by participating in weekly online discussion forums or fortnightly intensive workshops with community partners, academics, or peers. Written feedback on assessment tasks via a rubric and written comment will be provided on all assessment tasks. You will feedback on your initial review and proposal for Assessment 1, which will directly relate to and inform your final assessment. Individual consultations with your tutor can be arranged at a mutually convenient time. 

Assessment

Overview

This unit provides you with three opportunities to demonstrate your capacity to meet the learning outcomes of the unit. Assessment involves three tasks:

1. Design document for interactive experience drawing upon design theory presented in the unit.
2. Implementation of design within major game engine of choice and immersive system platform.
3. Short presentation to showcase your immersive experience.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Design Document

You will draw on relevant theory from the lectures and self-guided study to design an immersive system.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Immersive System Implementation

You will draw on relevant theory from the lectures and self-guided study to implement an immersive system in a platform of your choosing.  You will participate in peer evaluations as part of the assessment process.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Presentation

Group presentation that showcases the final VR project.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Costs

Students will need a robust gaming desktop or laptop to develop their experiences, the games studio is provided, but is a contested resource.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

Hazardous materials or tools – VR headsets are isolating and users must be careful where they walk. Users may also experience simulator sickness, if excessive, this may prevent the student performing the unit assessment tasks.

Course Learning Outcomes

IN05 Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments

1. Demonstrate broad knowledge of games and interactive environments principles and theory, with an in-depth knowledge of one games-related discipline.
   Relates to: ULO1, Design Document, Immersive System Implementation
2. Apply creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to generate solutions to design challenges.
   Relates to: ULO2, Design Document, Immersive System Implementation
3. Create engaging and meaningful games experiences for specific target audiences in partnership with diverse industry and community stakeholders using industry-relevant software and technologies..
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Immersive System Implementation
4. Collaborate effectively in transdisciplinary teams to achieve shared goals and to manage projects in professional contexts.
   Relates to: ULO5, Design Document, Immersive System Implementation, Presentation
5. Communicate complex concepts at all stages of the development cycle to specialist and non-specialist audiences in written, oral and interactive visual formats.
   Relates to: ULO6, Design Document, Immersive System Implementation
6. Critically reflect on social, ethical, cultural, legal and accessibility issues in the context of games and interactive environments, including as they relate to First Nations Australians.
   Relates to: ULO1, Design Document, Immersive System Implementation
7. Evidence the development of your learning, professional capabilities and skills through creating a curated portfolio of work.
   Relates to: ULO3, Immersive System Implementation