Indie game developer creates machine-learning driven systems to streamline character development.

Belfast-based indie game developers Italic Pig have completed their Future Screens NI R&D project Infinite Hotel: Rando Tinder. With an aim to develop a machine-learning character developing programme, Italic Pig developed a range of techniques to use fewer assets and innovated methods to create believable randomised characters (or “Randos”).  The project set out to improve, streamline and expedite bespoke content creation to facilitate independent game development.  With the aid of machine-learning-driven filtration system, the developers were successful in some cost and time-effective improvements with systems created for generation of random inanimate objects and Transferable Character and Modular Rigs.

Future Tuesdays features Hub-In 16 Nov 21

On 16th of November 2021, Future Tuesdays featured the innovative tourist and cultural industries project Hub-In from Belfast City Council and the Maritime Belfast Trust.

The Hub-In’ project is an exciting collaboration between Belfast City Council and the Maritime Belfast Trust to transform, through innovation, Belfast’s Maritime Mile in the city’s Titanic Quarter. The event showcased how they are applying innovation to Belfast’s tourism and culture industries to benefit local communities and the wider economy.

The event was hosted by Andrea Thornbury (Belfast City Council Project Manager) with Michael McGlade from Yellow Design.

Andrea Thornbury is the Project Manager for Belfast City Council. Andrea was the Research Officer for Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NIVCA) for 13 years and Project Coordinator for the Open Data Institute (ODI) Belfast Team for 3 years.

Michael McGlade is Founder & Creative Director of Yellow Design. Michael has over 25 years’ experience in the field of branding and digital video. Yellow Design is a Belfast-based design company with expertise in branding, print exhibition design, digital and Expanded Reality technology including the Titanic—Back in Belfast AR experience.

Future Tuesdays featuring QUB MediaLab

On Tuesday 9th November 2021 Future Screens NI’s project showcase Future Tuesdays presented the QUB MediaLab featured a deep dive into some of the content creation pipelines, tools and approaches that are driving innovation across the creative industries and providing artists, engineers and developers alternative approaches to realise their vision! Through a brief overview of the MediaLab, the hosts Kevin Killen and Donal Phillips contextualised the impact innovation will have on storytelling which will be followed by a number of case studies that look at the process of overcoming bottlenecks, evaluating tools and testing processes.  

The MediaLab, Queen’s University Belfast acts as focal point to connect expertise in the arts, storytelling and technology, eliminate barriers in deploying cutting edge software innovation in practical contexts and explore the impact of Virtual Production, Real-time 3D, Computer Vision and Machine learning in delivering digital innovation that meet content challenges in the creative industries, architecture, engineering, construction and life sciences.

Kevin Killen’s current practice is the creation of self-made neon light sculptures and installations, often site-specific. The works capture moments in time, representing life and peoples’ physical journeys as snapshots of lives. Based in Belfast, he obtained a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from the Surrey Institute of Art and Design University College (now the UCA) in 1999 and specialist training in neon making in Dallas, Texas in 2009.  

Donal Phillips is Business Development Manager for the Creative Industries at QUB, he has over 10 years’ experience in the games industry working within a broad range of roles, departments and projects and 5 years’ experience of delivering government funded innovation programmes for the Games Sector in Northern Ireland, establishing the first games incubator for the region, The Pixel Mill. He is currently treasurer of Games NI and a Trustee at UK Games Charity Games Aid.  

Future Tuesdays features the innovative tourist & cultural industries project Hub In 16th Nov 12Noon

Join Future Tuesdays In-Person and Online for Hub-In, the innovative tourist and cultural industries project from Belfast City Council and the Maritime Belfast Trust 16th of November at 12 Noon.

The ‘Hub-In’ project is an exciting collaboration between Belfast City Council and the Maritime Belfast Trustto transform, through innovation, Belfast’s Maritime Mile in the city’s Titanic Quarter and to showcase how we’re applying innovation to Belfast’s tourism and culture industries to benefit local communities and the wider economy.

Hosted by: Andrea Thornbury (Belfast City Council Project Manager) and Kerrie Sweeney (CEO of Belfast Maritime Trust)

The event will feature Michael McGlade from Yellow Design, Future Screens NI R&D awardee and project partner.

In person tickets for Ormeau Baths are available for this event here.

Not quite ready to meet in person, grab your online ticket here.