Teaching Games Programming through 3D Capture and Immersive Technologies.
Speakers
Verda Munir
Xander Purvis
Matthew Barr
Agenda
6:00pm - Event starts
7:00pm - Estimated Finish
Synopsis
This talk examines the integration of 3D scanning and photogrammetry into games programming education, with a focus on developing automated pipelines that streamline asset creation for real-time environments.
By capturing physical objects, environments, and human forms, students are introduced to the foundational principles of digital twin creation and asset optimization for game engines.
The session highlights how scanning technologies are embedded into the curriculum not only as creative tools but also as gateways to understanding procedural workflows, mesh processing, texture baking, and rigging automation.
Emphasis is placed on the construction of semi-automated pipelines that convert raw scan data into game-ready assets, enabling students to grasp both the artistic and technical demands of modern game development.
Through case studies and student-led projects, the talk explores how these workflows support rapid prototyping, historical reconstruction, and immersive storytelling - while also preparing learners for industry-standard practices in asset production and pipeline engineering.
About the speakers
Verda Munir
Verda is a Lecturer in Games Design and Development at Robert Gordon University’s School of Computing, Engineering and Technology.
With a PhD in Games and Computing and over 10 years in the creative industries, their research focuses on cost-effective pipelines for 3D scanning and photogrammetry, bridging the gap between real-world capture and immersive technologies including AR/VR for virtual simulations.
Xander Purvis
Xander is a foundation lecturer in computing. He holds a MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence and User Experience, a BSc (Hons) in Computer Game Applications Development, and a Higher National Diploma in Computer Science.
Xander focuses on applied games research, programming and cybersecurity, investigating how citizen science games can be harnessed to design experiments which generate meaningful data on how humans interact with technology, communicate important messages to the public, or educate.
Chair: Matthew Barr
Dr Matthew Barr is Head of Education & Practice at the University of Glasgow’s School of Computing Science, and Programme Director for the Graduate Apprenticeship in Software Engineering.
Matt is also co-director of the University’s Games and Gaming Lab, having established the university’s first game studies course in 2014 and founded the peer reviewed student games journal Press Start the same year. He was appointed Director of Education for SICSA (the Scottish Informatics & Computer Science Alliance) in 2021 and is a founding editor of the journal, Open Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. He previously served as Vice Chair of British DiGRA (the Digital Games Research Association) and as a Trustee and Director of the Scottish Game Developers Association.
Until 2022, Matt was a member of the BAFTA Scotland Committee, where he acted as the Games Jury Chair. Matt is also the director of the Ada Scotland Festival, which aims to improve gender balance in Computing Science education across Scotland.
Matt also champions inclusion and diversity through his membership of several national groups, including the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board Equalities Group and the Scottish Government’s Digital Economy Skills Group.
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This event is brought to you by: Animation and Games Development specialist group
Supported by: BCSWomen specialist group, Dorset branch, e-Learning specialist group, and Hampshire branch
