Transhuman AR Games 2019 | NuVu Cambridge

With modern medicine and technology, we now have the ability to enhance every aspect of the human body, from appearance, to physical strength, to memory. Hugh Herr, head of the Biomechatronics group at the MIT Media Lab, believes that with the advancement of Bionics, people may elect to amputate their legs and add specialized prosthesis to augment their capabilities, diverting the limitations of their normal legs. “Biohackers” have gone as far as implanting magnets in their fingers to feel magnetic fields, employing special eye drops to induce temporary night vision, chipping themselves with RFID circuits to get through subway stalls seamlessly, and inserting sound-transmitting magnets in ears to receive audio from a recording device. Scientists, entrepreneurs and corporations are using advanced technologies to enhance the body and mind. On his deathbed, Stephen Hawking warned of the “superhuman” of the future creating a genetic caste system. We’re seeing 3D printed organs, augmented vision through telescopic contact lenses, personalized drugs to enhance performance, and brain-computer interfaces to control neuroprosthetic limbs with the mind. But all of these enhancements come with larger questions as to how they should be used and by whom, and who should make decisions around them. As a society, we need discourse on how far we are willing to go, on what basis, and what ethical issues might emerge.

In this studio, students will tackle these ethical questions through augmented reality video games! These interactive games will reflect upon the impact, role, psychological effects and culture of augmentation technology and have users challenge their views on the ethical implications of this emerging trend. They will learn the fundamentals of augmented reality using Unity and Vuforia as well as creative design strategies for delivering the augmented experience.

As part of the studio, students will learn how to program, create 3D models, and, above all, explore the design implications of AR, the newest form of media and entertainment. Alongside the game design, students will conceptualize a strong narrative for the game and flex their digital art skills creating the graphics. Students will conceive the rules and structure of the game (gameplay), and build these into their game environment using Unity3D. Finally, we will move to the production phase and bring all the elements together to launch your Augmented Reality game!

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Focus Skills/Subjects/Technologies:

Game Design