Monday 27 July 2015

Scuba gear video reference

This is an excellent video for scuba gear setup, the procedure is detailed and it is a good reference point for level 1.

My reference

My proposal

Abstract
A Virtual Reality application which allows user to feel the unique scuba diving experience through the usage of Oculus Rift, the user will experience the simulation through a learning scuba diver who is currently taking scuba diving training. The scuba diver will go through multiple compulsory procedures to ensure his safety before dive in the sea of unique experience. The training for the scuba diving will be picking from certain syllabus of the formal scuba diving association namely Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).


Target Audience
Teenagers and Adults (Age 15 and Above)



Goal
1. What is the goal of the whole application?
The goal of this application is to provide an immersive experience of scuba diving to inexperience scuba diver or first timer.

2. What is the application trying to solve (Problem statement)?
There aren’t many opportunities for students or adults to experience scuba diving as it requires significant amount of money as well as good physique, therefore scuba diving may not be a suitable activity for everyone. Therefore there is a need for those who desired to visit the underwater world without any barrier blocking; this VR application is able to fulfil the needs. It also helps visualizing the potential of Virtual Reality in scuba diving, marking the usefulness of VR in the future of scuba diving.

3. What is the advantage of VR that can be exploited to enhance project?
Through the utilization of Virtual Reality application, the user can immerse into the underwater environment and experience the training syllabus of scuba diving. Through VR application, the user is given the possibility to experience the immersive environment as well as interact within said environment. It also provides the knowledge of scuba diving to the user who is experiencing the simulation. -

4. Is this project new or has it been created before? If yes, why are you doing it again?
Scuba diving without doubt is centre of attention when exploration of underwater is involved, however there isn’t an excellent simulation which help to visualize the potential of virtual reality in scuba diving. Most of the immersive underwater VR application is presented in the form of video game; therefore an immersive simulation is needed to expose the potential of virtual reality.



Objectives
-           To experience the unique atmosphere of underwater world.
-           To interact with the underwater environment which are commonly out of the boundary of many people.
-           To gain knowledge of scuba diving which benefit real life training.
 -          To experience the training for scuba diving in a virtual environment.



Benchmarks
Environment (Looks & feels)
     - Realistic visuals

     - Immersive underwater atmosphere



Gameplay (Mechanisms)
     - First person view



Interactions
    - GUI interactions
    - Interactions with objects within the environment




Description
This VR application consists of three levels, it will utilize HMD as its output device while using Leap Motion as its input device. On the main menu of the VR application before it is started, the users will be given the option to go through the brief explanation regarding the functions of the buttons in interactivity and navigation.
Nevertheless, on the first level there will once again provide some instructions regarding the VR application in case the users didn’t read the instructions provided on the main menu.

Level 1
On the very first level, the user will instructed by the in-game trainer regarding the proper outfit for scuba diving as well as the steps to properly wear it.
The user will be given the information of the scuba gear’s individual part and its function.

Level 2
On the second level, the user will taught to recognize the hand signals which will be given by the diving partner, reacting based on the hand signal given by the partner. The training will be carrying out within a diving pool.

Level 3
On the third level, the user will be put into a virtual sea accompany by a partner, and then the users will be instructed to navigate through the sea with compass. The user also required to perform out of air exercises in an open sea environment.



Interaction descriptions
- 1st person point of view
- Oculus Rift and Leap Motion
- Task based

Level 1
- Assemble and equip the scuba diving gear
- Interact with UI

Level 2
- Interact with A.I character
- Interact with UI
- Users able to swim in underwater environment (Pool)

Level 3
- User will be able to swim in underwater environment (Sea)
- Interact with A.I character
- Interact with UI
- Use UI interaction to complete task given


Monday 6 July 2015

Week 2

Week 2- Proposal Consultation (2 Proposals)
FYP1 Project Proposal 1 (Rejected)
Title
Quiz Master’s challenges

Abstract
The main character’s an ordinary boy and living a simple lifestyle until a playful demon called “Quiz Master” appears in front of him. He is forced by the Quiz Master to accept the challenges to save his most precious thing, an expensive phone.

Target Audience
Kids (Age from 8 to 12)

Goal
1. The goal of this application is to improve kid’s problem solving skill by providing puzzle which required brainstorming, Virtual Reality application provide the platform for the users to immerse into the learning process.

2. Kids from newer generation are gradually losing interest in learning and brainstorming due to the advancement in technology, causing them to rely heavily on technology. Therefore instead of rejecting the technology, utilising the Virtual Reality application will enable the kids to enjoy while learning.

3. Through the utilization of Virtual Reality’s real time feedback towards kids’ actions, the interaction between children and puzzle will be more frequent, thus further improving the children’s brainstorming towards the puzzle given.  

Objectives
-      To provide immersion for the users in the learning platform through the usage of artistic visuals.
-      To provide an entertaining learning platform for the users.
-      To encourage brainstorming by providing variety of puzzles.

Description
This VR application consists of three levels, it will utilise HMD as its output device while using controller as its input device. On the main menu of the VR application before it is started, the users will be given the option to go through the brief explanation regarding the functions of the buttons in interactivity and navigations.
Nevertheless, on the first level there will once again provide some instructions regarding the VR application in case the users didn’t read the instructions provided on the main menu.
In the VR application, the users required to pass through multiple puzzles in order to proceed into the next level, each level will be more difficult and complex compared to the previous level. There are multiple puzzle designs in this VR application such as pushing boxes into holes to make a path, choosing suitable gear for the system in order to open doors. There will be hints and breadcrumbs if the children spend too much time trying to solve the puzzle, by providing hints at suitable will encourage the users to keep trying.

Benchmark
Gameplay (Mechanisms)


Environment (Looks & feels)





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FYP1 Project Proposal 2 (Rejected)
Title
Second Chance

Abstract
The plot of the VR application revolves around three different scenarios with different type of character, the users need to follow the steps given or instructed to commit suicide. However the users are forced to quit the process of committing suicide not matter what in order to insert the idea of believing in second chance.

Target Audience
Teenager (Age from 15 to 18)

Goal
1. The goal of this application is to act as an advisement for those who are suffering from different circumstances and having the thought of committing suicide, encouraging them to seek help from friends or professional consultants.

2. The suicide rates by country even though didn’t increase drastically as the year go by, however there is still cases hinting that the suicide rate is on the rise in Malaysia. Therefore it is important to prevent the suicide rate from rising as “prevention is better than cure”, so the VR application is created to encourage people to think twice before taking important decision.

3. The advantage of utilising VR application for this project is undoubtedly one of the main features in this project, as VR application enables the users to experience the terror of being in the brink of death without actually conducting it, making the users to appreciate life better.  

Objectives
-      To deliver an immersive experience to the users by using captivating visuals and sound to create an immersive atmosphere.
-      To provide a platform to create awareness among the users regarding the importance of life.
-      To encourage the users to maintain positive thinking in a depressing situation.

Description
This VR application consists of three stages which situate different scenarios, it will utilise HMD as its output device while using controller as its input device. On the main menu of the VR application before it is started, the users will be given the option to go through the brief explanation regarding the functions of the buttons in interactivity and navigations.
Although different scenarios are situated in different stages, fundamentally the mechanisms within each stage are closely similar to each other. The mechanisms in this VR application is mostly revolve around clicking button to trigger an event, progressively doing the steps of committing suicide.

Benchmark
Gameplay (Mechanisms)


Environment (Looks & feels)
Before (Monotone)


After




Week 1

Week 1- Introduction of Final Year Project and briefing of assignment
This week introduce me to the Final Year Project 1 and brief me about the assignment.
This blog is created as a journal for my proposal's weekly progress.

Name         :Lim Hong Wei
Student ID :1112702865
Email         :Xaith_lim@hotmail.com