We may feel overjoyed, fascinated, mesmerized and captivated engaging in video games, relieved watching a tragic movie with a happy end, scared following animated characters who might be in danger. We may want to regulate our emotions and moods in interactive media systems (such as virtual and augmented reality), on-demand entertainment media.
These examples show: Emotional involvement needs to be studied from a wide array of perspectives, each bringing distinctive insights.
Based on the Routledge International Handbook of Emotions and Media (Döveling, Konijn 2021), and up to date perspectives, this class provides highly insightful inter/transdisciplinary understanding of emotional involvement in Animation and Game.
After elucidating on the different theoretical perspectives and concepts, the students will actively reflect and analyze emotions in animation settings as well as interactive media systems (such as virtual and augmented reality), on-demand entertainment media.
Elective Course Title: "Pen & Paper AI: Creating a Game Master AI for a Smartphone"
In this immersive elective, students will delve into the intricate world of Dungeons and Dragons, where they will learn to create an AI that replicates the role of a Game Master on a smartphone interface. The AI will take command of a group of new players, guiding them through epic quests, ingenious puzzles, and captivating narratives, just like a human Dungeon Master would. The course is structured in such a way that we form teams for the individual tasks and meet every week, primarily to discuss progress. So there is a strong focus on project based learning rather than a lecture explaining the AI and App concepts.
Course Description: Step into the realm of imaginative storytelling and cutting-edge technology in a collaboration with “Ulisses”, the German publisher of Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer and the Inventor of The Dark Eye (DSA). This course offers a unique opportunity to explore the fusion of artificial intelligence and classic tabletop role-playing games. We will get the complete lore of the role-playing games directly from the manufacturer and will try to integrate it into a large language model like GPT. One of the research questions is, which prompts have to be generated then to get meaningful output? As further goals the conversion of speech to text and text to speech are examined.
Course Objectives:
- Understand the fundamentals of Pen & Paper gameplay, rules, and lore.
- Explore the principles of AI development and natural language processing.
- Develop an AI system capable of emulating a skilled Dungeon Master's decision-making, improvisation, and storytelling abilities.
- Collaborate with Ulisses Games to integrate authentic P&P lore and elements into the AI's responses.
- Design a user-friendly smartphone interface for players to interact seamlessly with AI.
Course Highlights:
- Access to exclusive P&P lore and support from Ullises Games.
- Hands-on coding and AI development.
- Group projects that encourage teamwork and creativity.
- Different Teams for each Task: LLM Training, Text2Speech/Speech2Text, Prompt Engeneering.
- Playtesting sessions to refine and enhance the AI system's performance.
Required Skills and Prerequisites: This elective is designed for students with a passion for both AI technology and Pen & Paper. Prerequisite skills and knowledge include:
- Proficiency in programming
- Familiarity with AI concepts, including machine learning and natural language processing.
- Basic understanding of Pen & paper gameplay mechanics and storytelling dynamics.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and creativity in devising AI-based solutions.
- Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with team members and Ulisses Games representatives.
Enrollment Warning: This elective is NOT for Artists! We will NOT create a game!
Elective Course Title: "Shader Programming"
Course Description: Unveil the mesmerizing world of shaders and harness their captivating potential with Shaders, those enchanting lines of code responsible for rendering breathtaking visual effects, will no longer remain a mystery. Designed for those with a flair for technology and artistry, this course delves deep into shader development, providing a comprehensive understanding of their inner workings and practical applications.
Important: We will NOT use Nodes or easy-to-use shader graphs. We will write code!
Course Objectives:
- Gain insights into the render pipeline and the distinctions between GPUs and CPUs.
- Explore shader programming fundamentals, dissecting the anatomy of shaders.
- Examine shader code integration within the render pipeline using DirectX11/HLSL as a guide.
- Master custom shader creation in Unity with HLSL/CG, covering effects like basic shading, toon shading, water simulations, lighting, and post-processing.
- Equip tech artists and programmers with the ability to craft sophisticated visual effects.
Course Highlights:
- Comprehensive introduction to shader development, catering to both tech artists and programmers.
- Hands-on experience in writing HLSL/cG shaders for Unity.
- In-depth exploration of custom shaders for diverse effects, enriching your understanding of the graphic pipeline and graphical nuances.
- Practical examples and exercises using Unity Shader Framework.
- Emphasis on practical implementation to enhance proficiency and confidence.
Required Skills and Prerequisites: This elective welcomes both tech artists and programmers, but a foundation in programming is highly beneficial. Key skills and prerequisites include:
- Proficiency in programming languages, preferably C#.
- Familiarity with Unity's interface and basic game development concepts.
- An appreciation for mathematical concepts as shaders often require mathematical understanding.
- A keen interest in the intersection of art and technology.
- A creative mindset and the willingness to experiment and innovate.
Note: While shader programming often involves mathematical and technical aspects, it offers an incredibly rewarding journey for those who embrace it. The elective focuses on writing actual HLSL/cG shaders, thus allowing you to grasp the intricacies of shader development on a deeper level. You will not only learn the ropes but also become adept at crafting intricate visual effects that captivate and awe.
Hallo,
am 3. Mai startet die "Game Industry Talks" Veranstaltungsreihe.
Wir werden versuchen so oft es geht MIttwochs interesante Menschen aus der Industrie einzuladen die euch lustige Storys, Hintergründe oder einen spannenden Vortrag erzählen.
Startzeit ist immer gegen 18 Uhr. Genauere Infos, Also was wann wer wo gibts immer vorher.
Sollte mal kein Speaker verfügbar sein oder absagen, versuchen wir einen Ersatz-event zu erstellen. Brettspielabend, Detective mysterys oder schlicht eine BBQ Party.
In this course you will find general information on events, calls etc which is relevant for all Animation and Game students and staff.
Students will provide Sound and Music for the Projects of the 2nd and 6th semester of "Animation&Game". Those will be either Animation Shorts or Games.
Die Studierenden werden in diesem Elective den Sound und die Musik für die Projekte des 2. und 6. Semesters des Studiengangs "Animation&Game" gestalten.
In diesem Elective geht es um die Vertonung der Semesterprojekte der Animation & Game-Studenten des 3. und 5. Semesters. Es kann sich hierbei um Games, Animationsfilme oder VR- bzw. AR-Projekte handeln.
Students will provide Sound and Music for the Projects of the 3rd and 5th semester of "Animation&Game". Those will be either Animation Shorts, Games or VR/AR-Projects.