University five visualise prizes

A quintet of Teesside University computing students has clinched rare internships with one of the world’s leading computer games companies.

They achieved the internships with Ubisoft Reflections as winning prizes in the University’s annual Vis (Visualisation) Awards.

The competition is in its fifth year and open to students from the University’s School of Computing: second and third years, postgraduate and research.

The six month internships with Ubisoft Reflections are individually worth the equivalent of a £14,000 annual salary and the prize winners complete the placements at the end of their studies.

The Vis Awards have also been sponsored by Codeworks and London based Escape Studio’s, one of the most successful and well respected Computer Graphics academies in the UK.

Judged by external professionals Codeworks support the digital sector in the North East region and are providing GameHorizon or Connect membership to the all five winners and runners-up in this year’s competition.

The entries were judged by external professionals and teaching staff from the School of Computing, and the winners were:

Modelling award - for the best use of 3D software to create as realistically as possible either a self portrait, your house exterior, car or your bedroom interior. Winner: Rob Parker, 26, from York, for Bedroom Corner.

Games design award - for the best playable game prototype using the appropriate development software and accompanied with a design pitch using presentation software to demonstrate complete game vision using no more than 20 slides. Winner: Jamie Smith, 21, from Ormesby, Middlesbrough, for ‘Dojo.’

Visual effects (VFX) award - for the best and most innovative use of 2D or 3D media combined with live action for the creation of a pre-rendered sequence. Winner: James Tavet, 26, from Leeds, for No Escape. James’ prize is 12 months access to the ‘Maya Core’ training module, provided by Escape Studio’s.

• Games Programming Award - for the best example of the art of programming for the creation and control of a real-time games sequence or demo. Matthew Markey, 24, from Wiltshire, for ‘Space Babies.’

Character animation award - for the best character animation sequence realised with 2D or 3D software. The sequence lasts no longer than 40 seconds. Winner: Brian Kavanagh, 24, from Dublin for ‘I Feel Good’. Brian has an opportunity awaiting in Ireland so the Ubisoft Internship will be offered to runner-up Margunn Hindenes.

Justin Greetham, senior lecturer in visualisation and graphical applications in the University’s School of Computing, said: 'This has been another great year for the competition with a marked increase in postgraduate entries. Next we will see the launch of two new categories. The first, entitled the ‘synthespian award’ will look at the use of motion capture technology to aid the creation of a range of animation – notable examples of which can be best seen in movies like Avatar. We are also planning to launch a new ‘animation award’ that will encourage the development of a range of animation narratives for the film and television market.'

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