Student Game Expo (September 2016)

In September of 2016, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to help facilitate a Student Game Expo for current game development, undergraduate students. While I got to run and facilitate the SGX, I did have valuable assistance from fellow classmates Cardell King, Brian Vazquez, Justin Hentges, Jessica Lin, and Wade Martin. Additionally, there were a couple core faculty members that really did everything in their power to help us throw a great event. Nick Carver, in particular, was very passionate and motivational in helping us provide a unique, fun experience.

In addition to showcasing undergraduate game projects, the event included trivia (with awesome prizes), extreme video game music, food and drinks, photo opportunities with a polaroid camera, and lots of other fun activities. I was also able to secure a venue close to campus to host the event, Campus Cards and Games II. They were instrumental in coordinating with me to make sure we had the location and necessary furniture (tables and chairs) and really helped to build a solid relationship that helps both parties. Here is a flyer we used to help advertise the event online and around Orlando, FL.

The event had an amazing turnout with well over a hundred people coming in to experience the event. We got some great footage of the event to use as future promotional material (thanks to Marvin Welch for capturing and editing this video).

This was a great opportunity to practice running an event with many different attributes and aspects to cover. I was responsible for coordinating everything (with the help of my team) to ensure that the undergraduate students presenting had everything they could possibly need. These leadership and management skills will make a great addition to my skill set and I hope to utilize them again soon in the future.

Special thanks to Katherine Rybak for her volunteer work on this expo.

Using Virtual Reality to Treat Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Using Virtual Reality to Treat Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Topic #2)

As virtual reality comes into mainstream culture, there are more and more avenues being explored for practical applications of virtual reality (VR). One such use that has begun to be explored by those in the video game industry is utilizing VR to treat military veterans who suffer from PTSD. While rudimentary applications have been implemented before, none have aimed to be as immersive as the Department of Defense’s Virtual Iraq (Halpern, 2008). PTSD is widespread amongst military veterans and can affect one’s ability to interact with others in a social setting, work setting, or other important areas that require optimal functioning (Derby, 2016). As a veteran myself, I think PTSD is a terrible affliction and we should explore every possible solution: including virtual reality.

a. Virtual Iraq: Using simulation to treat a new generation of traumatized veterans

i. This report in The New Yorker, written by Sue Halpern, taught me a great deal about some of the current applications being used to treat PTSD, along with a program called Virtual Iraq. Virtual Iraq is a form of exposure therapy that a patient, accompanied by a trained psychiatrist, can partake in to help overcome traumatic incidents. A generation of kids that grew up on video games are now coming back from service with a low quality of life. Why not try using those games to help them?

ii. This topic represents a wealth of information I can apply directly to the video game industry. While games are fun, and we all love them, I think it is vital that we remember other beneficial outcomes of advanced technology and game design. Using the methods and technology available can expand outside of making games just for fun, and rather making games to help people.

iii. While the information gleaned in this report was insightful, there is no obvious application of the techniques learned to my Month 3 project (coordinated a Game Expo). I will keep the information in mind as I remember to keep an open mind and always consider new possibilities.

b. Virtual realities: The use of violent video games in U.S. military recruitment and treatment of mental disability caused

i. I learned quite a bit from this report, in particular, the video game applications employed by the U.S. military, such as America's Army and Virtual Iraq.

ii.There were several controversial video game applications developed by the military that have been called into question, especially games aimed at recruiting teenagers (Derby, 2016). Derby goes on to allude that these very violent games are a contributing factor to PTSD itself, amongst veterans. While a possible contributor to the many-faceted issue of PTSD, the military is a definite solution with tools like Virtual Iraq being implemented. Derby even posits that Virtual Iraq could be used to detect soldiers who might suffer from PTSD before they deploy. I found this information very intriguing and I would apply it to my career by investigating it further. The possibility to help others through the technology and methodology of game design is very exciting!

iii.None of the information in this article contributes to my project this month.

                                                           

Topic #2 References

Derby, J. (2016). Virtual realities: The use of violent video games in U.S. military recruitment          and treatment of mental disability caused by war. DSQ, 36(1).                                                              http://dx.doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v36i1.4704

Halpern, S. (2008). Virtual Iraq: Using simulation to treat a new generation of traumatized              veterans. The New Yorker, (MAY 19, 2008), 1-13. Retrieved from                                                        http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/05/19/virtual-iraq

Professional Communication and Presentation (Showcase)

This class revolved around learning how to "sell yourself" to potential employers. While I have had several jobs and experience in professional environments in the past, such as with Apple and the United States Army,  it was a nice refresher course. Here is a slide show presentation I completed for the class that tells my story:  my skills, my faults, my journey, my passion. 

Click the "Read More" tab on the bottom left of this post to see the entire slideshow and learn a bit about my background.