Helen Routledge CRe-AM Interview

Name : Helen Routledge

Job Title : Head of Design and Production

Organisation : Totem Learning

Sector : Games based Learning

Web Link : www.totemlearning.com

Interview Date : 9/11/15

Location : Totem Learning Coventry

Short Biography

Helen is an Instructional Games Designer and author. She specialises in the design and development of engaging Serious Games and has over 10 years experience of applying behavioural and cognitive theories to highly-interactive serious games. Helen has been involved in shaping the Game Based Learning/Serious Games market with particular focus integrating learning content with the motivation aspects of good game design. Starting out with a B.Sc (Hons) in Behavioural Science (major in psychology) she has worked on dozens of varied projects addressing, for example, social skills education for young people, team building, leadership, sales training, supply chain management, IT security and infectious disease control. 

Helen works for Totem Learning, a dedicated Serious Games developer focused on creating premium Serious Games and Simulations.
Previously Helen worked at PIXELearning in the role of Instructional Systems Design Manager where she led the design of Serious Games destined for corporate training and development working with companies such as Comcast (US), Raytheon (US), HP (Switzerland), KPMG (US), AAT (UK) and Ernst and Young (UK).

CURRENT INTERESTS:

1. What current technologies and tools fulfill your needs in your practice?

PC Hardware, Developer kits for phones and tablets, Unity, I-Clone, 3d Studio Max, Maya, Photoshop, X-API (Player Behaviour)

2. What technologies do you see emerging in the next 5-10 years?

VR, Google Cardboard, Gesture based control systems

3. Could you identify any strengths and weaknesses with these technologies?

Strengths – fun to play with, natural interface

Weaknesses – Latency (Motion sickness), RSI (with gesture control systems)

FUTURE INTERESTS:

4. Do you think there are additional technologies or tools needed, or that you would wish for?

User tracking and personalized experiences

 

5. If these were available what would you be creating?

Focusing on psychometrics, more accurate role playing

6. Can you see any strengths and weakness involved?

Strengths – personalization

Weakness – challenges to track data, security

7. What do you recommend to fill the gap between creators and technology providers?

More R&D Projects, affordable technologies for creative companies

Work with bigger teams