Computer Games Development resources

Our Computer Games (PDF, file size: 2.35MB) development courses use industry standard software and equipment.  The Rare Motion Capture studio is sponsored and used by Rare and Massive Multiplayer On-line Game middleware and online game developer Monumental Games have given the Faculty's new Multiplayer Online Games Design award  a £150,000 licence to use as an integral part of the award.  Games Design facilities in use.

The Games Development and Usability Lab is at the cutting edge of software testing. With funding from Advantage West Midlands and HEIF (Higher Education Innovation Fund) the University has been able to construct a lab that is at the cutting edge of usability game research.

The recent upgrade of the lab with FaceReader 4.0 software coupled with the use of wireless biometric measuring equipment will enable our research team to analyse human emotions in games and provide the potential for developing a Fear Index enhancing the PEGI (Pan European Games Information) system for rating games content and offering more relevant information for the consumer.

If you would like to find out more about the facility please contact c.chandler@staffs.ac.uk

• 3D Studio Max + Texporter  
• Maya
• CS3 Master Collection + Keylight Plugin
• Motionbuilder  
• PFTrack
• CODECs ( Techsmith, DivX, Xvid, Quicktime H264, K-lite Pack)  
• Blender    
• Gimp
• FRAPS    
• Audacity
• FMOD Designer
• FMOD EX Programmer API
• VDUB
• Monumental Engine
• HDR shop   

• Crimson Editor
• Google Sketch Up
• Active State
• Active Python 
• Context
• Wegame
• Videolan (VLC)
• Eclipse Classic
• Java Dev kit 6  
• Combustion
• Z Brush
• Half Life 2
• Unreal 3
• VTExplorer/VTF Edit  
• VTF Plugin Photoshop
• GCF Scape
• MDL Decompiler 
• SMD Importer/Export for Max
• Dispgen (Half life2)
• Studio Compiler

Mocap Data Capture Area

• 8 x 120Hz  progressive scan cameras (v8120)
• 8 x Extended Tripods
• Vicon Datastation
• 3 x Break Out Boxes

 
Data Capture

• PC running Vicon workstation software
• Netgear Router to Network PC to Vicon Datastation
     

Several types of safety mats to aid a variety of movement

Additional Software

• Vicon Entertainment Software Suite 2.0
• Vicon Workstation Software
• Motion Builder 2009 to convert and export Mocap Data
• Endorphin

Hardware

• Gaming standard PCs (Convertible Mini Tower DC7900 - Intel E8500 Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz, 3GB, 250GB & 80GB, DVDRW, nVidia 9800 graphics card)

K008 full Software (PDF, file size: 8.8KB)

• 3D Studio Max 2010
• Photoshop
• Unreal SDK
• Unreal 3
• Maya
• F Mod.

Hardware

• Gaming standard PCs (Convertible Mini Tower DC7900 - Intel E8500 Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz, 3GB, 250GB & 80GB, DVDRW, nVidia 9800 graphics card)
• Xbox 360
• Xbox Controllers
• Force Feedback Joysticks

Software

• 3D Studio Max 2010
• Photoshop
• Unreal SDK
• Unreal 3
• Maya
• F Mod.

New stylish lab for Games and Artificial Intelligence with workstations full of subject specifc software (PDF, file size: 6.99KB)  for 20.

Hardware

• Nintendo Wii
• Sony PSP
• Playstation 2
• Playstation 3
• Xbox
• Snes Gaming Console
• AlienWare Gaming PC + 5.1 Desktop Theater
• Nintendo Game Cube
• Atari 2600 Game Console
• Xbox Stealth Scope Light Rifle
• PC Analogue & Digital Control Pad
• Telescreen Video
• Gametrack 3D Control System
• Trackbar Pro Pointing Device
• Ultimate 3D Virtual Controler
• Cybertronix Virtual Reality Joystick
• Fox 2 Pro Flight Stick
• Joytech Racing Wheel
• Xbox Thrustmaster Freestyle Skating Board
• Magic VGA Box
• FreeBird Wireless Control Pad
• PS2 Beat Pad
• Gamster Speaker System
• Expert Mouse Pro Trackball

Software

• Xbox Splinter Cell - Pandora
• Xbox Time Spliters
• Xbox FarCry Instincts
• Xbox Brothers In Arms - Earned In Blood
• Xbox Commandos Strike Force
• Xbox Starwars Republic Commando
• Xbox Call Of Duty - Finest Hour
• Xbox Meddle Of Honour - European Assult
• Xbox Tony Hawks - Underground
• Xbox Quantum Redshift
• Xbox Rainbow Six 3
• Xbox Splinter Cell
• Xbox Men Of Valor
• Xbox Metal Gear Solid 2
• Xbox Paraih