James Griffin CRe-AM Interview

Name : James Griffin

Job Title : Freelance Developer

Organisation : Self-Employed

Sector : Video games and software/hardware development

Web Link : www.github.com/jamesgriffin

Interview Date : 26/11/15

Location : London Unity User Group Meeting, London

Short Biography

James is a young self employed entrepreneur with a passion for technology which includes designing video games and developing web/software applications. He has won several competitions and awards for his creative use of technology in the area of robotics, including world skills competition gold medal for mobile robotics

CURRENT INTERESTS:

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

Hardware: PC

Software: Unity, Linux, Windows, Combination of software, Jetbrains, Python, Text Editors, Blender 3D modelling

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

Mixing games with physical and virtual worlds, making experiences which blur physical and virtual, VR, AR, glove controllers, positional tracking – Holodeck technologies which allow freedom of movement, omni treadmills, software to allow freedom to move long distances virtually within short space physically

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

Weaknesses – how do we physically interact with the virtual world especially objects tracking head movements

Strengths – cost has decreased significantly largely due to advancement of mobile phone technologies and high resolution displays becoming more accessible

FUTURE INTERESTS:

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

Tools to help designers to judge scale when developing characters and virtual worlds e.g. to be able to use the tools in the virtual environment to make it easy to judge scale whilst working on game assets.

 

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

Games which affect player emotions and experiences. More realistic and immersive game environments

6. Can you see any strengths and weakness involved?

Strengths – Could empower people to achieve things which are currently not possible e.g. connecting people across distance

Weaknesses – Possible health implications and long term effects when we fool the brain in these environments for extended periods of time

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

There is a gap because the industry requires 2 different types on job, especially large companies

Perhaps changing the way studios collaborate.

Emerging technologies will help to bridge the gap