“We thank the Ontario Media Development Corporation and Ontario Centres of Excellence for their investments in this important and timely initiative. The collaboration between universities, colleges and industry partners will create an advantage for Ontario’s gaming industry, enhance their competitiveness and provide learning opportunities for our students who will be the next generation of game developers and entrepreneurs.” – Dr. Michael Owen, associate provost, Research at UOIT.
Up until recently, most if not all stereoscopic 3D games have been rendered according to trial and error, or are based on research around stereoscopic 3D film. This isn’t the way to go because video games are their own form of media, and may in fact have their own unique set of rules for stereoscopic 3D visual effectiveness.
While top manufacturers and game developers are pioneering the stereoscopic 3D industry in their own way, it is critical that visual research in this area is carried out by credible educational institutions without any vested interests in specific technologies.
The S-3D Gaming Alliance and its partners are very proud to announce the launch of the iGO3D initiative. Interactive Gaming Ontario 3D (iGO3D) has successfully raised $635,000 in combined industry and Ontario, Canada government funding to make this research possible. Once completed, this research will help reduce the learning curve needed for game developers to put out effective stereoscopic 3D games and to increase their product sales. Leading features include stereoscopic 3D research, S-3D audio research, media centric events, formal reports, a 3D game testing lab, and more.
In addition to iGO3D’s primary partner, The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), other participating bodies include York University, the University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario, the Ontario College of Arts and Design University (OCADU) and George Brown College. Industry partners include The S-3D Gaming Alliance (S3DGA), Electronic Arts Canada, Bedlam Games, Big Blue Bubble, Digital Extremes, Interactive Ontario and Junction VFX. The top government funding partners include The Ontario Media Development Corporation and the Ontario Centres of Excellence.
There is limited room for further expansion of the iGO3D initiative through sponsorship and partnership opportunities. Interested parties are encouraged to contact The S-3D Gaming Alliance to learn more.
For those following The Game Developers conference, Kris Roberts’ first GDC editorial is up today!