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IMMERSE Seminar: Sepehr Vaez Afshar and Robbie Sieczkowski, "The stu/dio: a student management team for VR game development projects supporting education and research at UIUC through Game Studies & Design"

Event Type
Seminar/Symposium
Sponsor
IMMERSE: Center for Immersive Computing
Location
iSchool Building, 614 E Daniel St. Room 5043
Date
Apr 10, 2025   4:00 pm  
Contact
James Planey
E-Mail
planey@illinois.edu
Originating Calendar
IMMERSE Seminar Series

The stu/dio: a student management team for VR game development projects supporting education and research at UIUC through Game Studies & Design

Speakers: Sepehr Vaez Afshar, Robbie Sieczkowski

Abstract: 

The stu/dio (https://games.illinois.edu/) is a student-driven effort to manage game development projects in support of education and research on the University of Illinois campus.

Two stu/dio Leads, Robbie (Producer) and Sep (XR Lead), will share an overview of the three active VR projects managed by the stu/dio: VRchaeology, Master Dancer, and VR Rocketry.

They will provide a high-level overview of the VR game production process at the stu/dio. With real implementation examples, they will also discuss the VR UX principles applied across projects.

Bios: 

Sepehr is an architect and landscape architect who combines an interdisciplinary approach with a strong interest in game studies, XR, and digital heritage. Now, as a PhD student in the Informatics program Sepehr's research centers on utilizing advanced data science techniques and immersive technologies to emphasize the importance of making positive change accessible to the general public. Outside of academia, Sepehr is the Co-founder of OyuNest Inc., a venture specializing in virtual landscapes and game design that secured a national grant in Turkey for its innovative work.

Robbie is a third year Informatics PhD student specializing in Design, Tech, and Society. His work focuses on the utilization of 2D, 3D, and VR games to address real-world issues, as he produces games in academic areas such as archaeology, movement studies, neuroanatomy, rocketry, dance history, and civil engineering. He also currently resides as the student academic advisor at UIUC's VR Club.

Refreshments Provided. This seminar will be streamed and recorded via Zoom for remote attendees.

Zoom: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/88228875347?pwd=m2Dz4bSmsgDUtSzdqeqhgmkXACK05m.1

link for robots only