Holographic Augmented Reality Summer Camp Allows Students to Be Involved in the Future of Game Design

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- How could future technology change the form and role future games take? Many sci-fi movies and books have presented many different kinds of possibilities. But they all have the same predictions: in the future, games become a significant part of people's daily life, from their entertainment to how they make a living. It is not just a way to escape life but it becomes a way to live life. It would be a much more interactive, essential and immersive experience than our current video games. This summer, students (from middle school to high school level) can learn and design interactive and immersive 3D games that are future-forward and a stepping stone to reaching the technology available in sci-fi movies, such as that shown in Steven Spielberg's movie Ready Player One. International Augmented Reality Education Foundation is partnering with Integem Inc. to offer Holographic Augmented Reality summer camps to students at multiple locations in the Bay Area.

The Holographic Augmented Reality (Holographic AR) game design camps are three-week camps that teach students how to program, design and create their own Holographic AR games. Students will learn 3D plus Time domain (4D programming) using a design-thinking process to creatively design their own game. The summer camp is designed for students with all computer skills, from zero experience to advanced level. The goal is to enable every student to program, design and innovate with future tech.

With Holographic Augmented Reality (Holographic AR), campers not only play the character but become one as they are transported into a computer-generated reality with Holographic AR technology where they interact with their environment and change the outcome with their body movements, hand gestures and facial expressions. This style of gameplay enhances coordination and plays off the imagination.

The powerful Holographic AR programming language iCreator is the only programming language that allows students to design a game where they can see themselves inside while running the program. With iCreator, students can craft games where every body movement counts, where timing and actions have immediate effect and the outcomes differ based on the actions and decisions of the player. With interactive character and backgrounds, the possibilities are as limitless as the imagination and the student's ability to bring it to life. Students will have the chance to take what they love and craft with their own unique interests and ideas in mind. This camp and style of game design is unlike anything else currently available and is a truly unique and special experience.

Holographic AR can transform traditional videos game scenes to a whole new level. Students can venture into the interactive forms of their favorite fiction. Turn Fortnite-like games into Holographic AR interactive and immersive thrillers. They can create a Holographic AR battle royale with their favorite Minecraft and Roblox characters and worlds, take control of fantastical creatures like those from Harry Potter and wander around a magical world of their own creation.

Working with Holographic AR programming language iCreator isn't like learning other programming languages. iCreator offers students the chance to transform their passions into a physical reality. More educational than simply playing and still just as fun, Holographic AR game design is an excellent way for students to learn logic, design thinking, visual communication, computer animation, 3D modeling and much more. Through hands-on immersive projects, students will be exposed to Holographic AR programming, design thinking, artistic expression, visual community, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) concepts, interactive storytelling, empathy and UX/UI (user experience/user interface) besides logic and rational thinking.

With Integem's specially designed curriculum and a teacher-student ratio of 1:8, students receive the personalized and detailed attention they need to learn the necessary skills from scratch. Alice, a sophomore from Fremont Christian High School, stated, "I liked the way the software was introduced to us, starting with simple projects and gradually becoming more complicated. I felt like I really understood after only a few days of experience. I would definitely be interested in creating more projects such as games in the future. I think the ability to make interactive games has a lot of potential, and I am interested in experimenting further."

Alice talked about the details she put into her game and the multiple endings she crafted. Describing the intricacies of her game, she said, "One project I am proud of is a mini-game where a player must go through a series of trials. After crashing on a mysterious planet, a player is greeted by a large dragon. My game has several opportunities for a player to die. It took me around two days to finish the project." Alice hopes to work more on further games and craft more detailed and complicated outcomes.

Steve, a 6th grader from Miller Middle School, described his project, commenting, "I worked on flight simulators in the AR project and was most proud of animating the objects as they move around; you need to make a plane take off and land it." Steve's dad commented as well about how Steve had felt about the camp, saying, "Steve really loved the 2018 camp and he asked for another camp several times. This has not happened for other camps he took." Each game is a reflection of the student who created it and no two are the same as they are a natural expression of the students' unique personality.

To learn Holographic AR game design, students will first learn some basics in Holographic AR programming and 3D Holographic AR modeling.

If game design is of little interest, other camps are available, with topics such as Holographic AR 3D movies, comic/art creation, news reporting, engineering or AI. Students can be part of camps that suit their own skills and age group: Junior (ages 6-8), Young (ages 8-10), Teen (ages 10-14) and High School (ages 14+) at San Francisco, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Cupertino, San Jose and Fremont. Space is limited and only eight students per class. Spaces are filling up fast and some camps are already wait-listed. 

Learn more and explore the options available this summer at the Holographic AR summer camp website: camp.integem.com.

Media Contact: 
Linda Owen
Phone: 408-459-0657 
Email: [email protected]

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Holographic Augmented Reality (Holographic AR) Game Design Summer Camp

SOURCE International Augmented Reality Education Foundation (IAREF)