Real Derby Expertise In Artificial Intelligence At Global Games Forum
8 March 2010
University Games Studio Manager and Lecturer Adam Russell.
Adam Russell.
A Derby lecturer will demonstrate the next generation of computer games technology at the industry's biggest global conference this week.
The Game Developers Conference, running at the Moscone Center in San Francisco all week until Saturday (March 13), is the world's largest event aimed at games industry professionals. It will attract more than 17,000 programmers, artists, producers, game designers and industry leaders such as Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony and EA (Electronic Arts).
Adam Russell, Games Studio Manager and Lecturer at the University of Derby, will be presenting at two of its live events. He has been invited as an expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI), which enables computers to some extent to 'think' for themselves, to support the simulation of artificial characters used in computer games.
John Sear, University Programme Leader for Computer Games Programming, will also attend the conference.
In one session Adam will chair a discussion group of Artificial Intelligence programmers (who write the computer code controlling game characters). The panel will look at how they might fulfil a games AI 'wish list', compiled before the conference by top games designers (the people who direct a game's plot and action).
He will also help with a live demonstration, showing working prototypes of new techniques developed for games AI. These advances may be months, if not years, from appearing in commercial stores.
Adam, who joined the University in 2007 from the commercial games development industry, said: "This is the second year I have represented Derby at this international conference and taken part in its AI summit. It's a great honour and shows the regard in which the industry holds the University's games expertise.
"What happens at the Game Developers Conference really shapes the future of this multi-billion pound industry and, ultimately, the careers of our students entering it."
*For more information about the 2010 Game Developers Conference see www.gdconf.com.
For further media information please contact Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103, or email s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
