Gaming 2 Development (G2D)
4wardFutures have worked with Cambridge University to develop the Gaming to Development project. This project tests a new educational approach - Gaming to Development (G2D) - intended to enhance the full range of skills young people (aged 14-18) will require for success in the future world of work, particularly in the 3D computer visualisation industry.
Guided by the question “How can we ‘bridge the gap’ between young people’s existing development of virtual environments within games such as Fortnite, to the construction of real-time virtual assets using the Unreal development engine, design-based research is undertaken to investigate the effect of G2D on learners’:
1. 3D graphics and real-time 3D visualisation skills - in using Unreal and Twinmotion
2. ‘Future’ skills - essential for success in a rapidly changing work environment
3. Careers progression’ skills - through encounters with professionals from the 3D sector that demonstrate the power of Unreal and Twinmotion as tools for science and industry as well as gaming
The Gaming to Development (G2D) project explores the question of “how can we ‘bridge the gap’ between the skills and qualities young people are developing through developing virtual environments in online multiplayer games such as Fortnite, Minecraft or Rust to the construction of real-time virtual assets using 3D development applications such as the Unreal development engine.”
Through the G2D project, young people work in teams within a virtual environment to collaborate on the development of virtual environments with Unreal development engine.
The Gaming to Development project tests a new educational approach – G2D.This has been developed in collaboration with researchers from Cambridge University Faculty of Education. G2D is intended to enhance the skills young people (aged 14-18) will require for success in the future world of work, particularly in the computer game creation and 3D visualisation sector.
We created a virtual collaborative 3D environment, which students can access remotely from individual machines whilst stilling work on the same tasks and virtual objects. By hosting a server-based system that provides the necessary processing capacity ‘in the cloud’, such interaction and collaboration is possible without each participating school or student needing a high-spec gaming machine.
The cloud-based server also means students can be supported when all are accessing their learning remotely – a crucial feature over the past year – through domestic broadband connectivity. This capacity is critical to our aim of ensuring the future learning and instruction opportunities forged by this project can span various social and digital divides.
What People Are Saying About G2D
“It was a pleasure to work with 4wardfutures and G2D (Gaming 2 Development) on the Epic Games project at Lancaster & Morecambe College. The programme was built around collaborative learning and working within Unreal Engine where the students were split into small teams. They used industry tools as well as a revolutionary method of working remotely in the same 3D environment all in real-time which is very appropriate and relevant in 2021. This was done using virtual machines on a powerful server in which the students logged in remotely using their own client hardware whereby they worked collectively towards a space related design brief. The students were driven in their learning and discussing of ideas and concerns. They sharing responsibility of working towards their own collective imagined goals of building a working settlement on a not so science fiction settlement on Mars.
The knowledge and skills demonstrated throughout the programme were superb from Mark and Jason and the students who took part were privileged to be working under the tutelage of remote and collaborative working with cutting edge technology and systems. These skills are highly desirable in the games industry as well as the design industry not only in terms of ‘learnt’ technical skills but also ‘developed’ soft skills that will undoubtedly serve the students well at College and beyond in their future careers.”
— Kevin Clark-Patterson Tutor at Lancaster and Morecambe College
The students have really enjoyed the professional and enthusiastically friendly sessions. They have really loved working real time on the Parsec platform.
As a teacher it is really important that the students collaborate and are able to access a system where they can all work together without any issues.
The students have found the logging in and use of the virtual platform easy and accessible.
Thank you for the opportunity and the ease on which this platform and the sessions have been organised, allowing the students to work in real time confidently.
— Nasim Ibrahim Teacher
‘Jason is my favourite man. He's like a goddess guiding you through Unreal which is why I kept coming on live to hear him speak. I learn pretty much a lot from him and am willing to have a lesson with him next time where I need to sort out my communication issues. In my spare time, I always imagine something like creating my own games, animation and film. I have done the write up what I imagine in my head and will want to construct in the future. This lesson helps me to get more ideas and inspiration from Mars.’