New Associate Professor at Northeastern University Chris Martens poses for a portrait. Martens was appointed between the CAMD Department of Art + Design and the Khoury College of Computer Science, leading the Principles of Expressive Machines (POEM) research group to understand and build tools that support human creativity, self-expression, and liberation. Photo Alyssa Stone / Northeastern University
Chris Martens wants to make video game development easier
Video games shouldn’t exist. Each game is a feat of creativity and ingenuity, full of technical and artistic obstacles where even the correct operation of the door can prove to be a challenge. That is why they require the collaboration of so many different groups of people – programmers, designers, artists, writers – that are unlike any other medium.
This kind of interdisciplinary work is exactly why Chris Martens, a new member of the Northeastern division, wants to make it easier for people to create games.
“[I’m into] the analytical side and logical thinking and detail-oriented reasoning, but I also really care about human experience, artistic and emotional experience,” says Martens. “It has always fascinated me that code can evoke feelings. That’s why I like games. “
Martens, who uses their / their pronouns, is a new associate professor at Northeastern, sharing a position with the College of Arts, Media and Design and the Khoury College of Computer Sciences. Their interdisciplinary role is largely what drew them to Northeastern.
“My transition to Northeastern really came when I learned how alive the link between the arts and design department and the computer science department is here,” says Martens.
The way Martens’ role spans across multiple disciplines aligns with their work. Martens’s goal is to create new game development tools that will bring developers and designers closer together to help broaden the narrative possibilities of video games.
“A lot of what I’m working on are tools that enable people to have a richer creative expression in this medium, to broaden the boundaries of what defines it,” says Martens.
For Martens, who comes to Northeastern after a five-year internship as a computer science professor at North Carolina State University, this includes working on video game artificial intelligence and creation tools that can help developers create more credible NPCs. Their work also includes social simulations, games that simulate the flow of conversation, and social connections through interactions with digital characters.
“I honestly think some of these conversations about more credible social figures are sometimes obscured by the focus on” Would anyone say that in real life? “When what you really care about is” Can I systematically justify what this character is, tell me if I’m acting a certain way towards them? “Says Martens.
The focus on digital social interactions has made Martens particularly interested in how games can support neurodiverse players with ADHD and autism.
“As a member of this community, I think there’s a reason why I’ve been so interested in researching social systems as things that can be implemented in games,” says Martens. “It’s the kind of thing where if there are rules, if there’s something I can play and get a mental model in by interacting in a space where it’s safe for me to fail, then I can slowly build this skill for the real world.”
However, Martens’ current research focuses on bridging the gap between those working on the technical side and those working on the artistic / design side of the game development process.
“I’ve seen a lot of attention to define how you build a virtual world as a graphics space, but not so much about how you encode the behavior of [objects] that are in a world that I can interact with, characters that are in the world and their behavior, ”says Martens. “How can we create [tools] in which designers and programmers can speak the same language to each other if they are separate people, or if they are one person, make it easier for them to both design and program] at the same time?”
Answering these questions requires building a solid set of tools that are also available to experienced and novice developers. Martens says Twine, a free web browser-based interactive fiction developer, is a great example of a tool that has helped open the door to a whole new group of game developers.
Martens is quick to point out that the gaming industry is still struggling with diversity. Overall, Martens says the tools that make game development easier – and get started making games – will create more opportunities for new voices to advance in the industry.
“I just want [these perspectives] to be more visible, and other people interested in telling their stories have access to tools that can make them one of those storytellers,” says Martens.
For media inquiries, please contact Marirose Sartoretto at m.sartoretto@northeastern.edu or 617-373-5718.
Is Computer Science good for game development?
Yes, computer science is a good direction for game development. Game development includes IT skills such as the use of programming languages, software development, and the use of artificial intelligence.
How has computer technology contributed to the development of video games? [1980s] Home computers with built-in games and floppy disks for transferring games appeared. New software and technology have been built into home computers to help you play games better. This may interest you : Michigan health experts recommend limiting time spent on video games before the school year. As the internet became more accessible, dial-up bulletin board systems were used to play online games.
Is computer science good for gaming?
Second, earning a degree in computer science will open the door for you to become a game developer if you are willing to do so. Programming games is a really fun job if you like programming but also has the highest salary in the gaming industry.
Is computer science important for game development?
A degree in software engineering, computer science, or a related field is required to become a game developer. On the same subject : ManpowerGroup employees help identify and fix bugs in new video games. A programming language such as Java or C is required.
What should I study in college for game design?
Computer Science One of the best grades in gamers’ careers is computer science. This may interest you : Video game companies ‘need to do more to prevent kids from buying loot boxes’. By earning a degree in computer science, you will gain extensive knowledge of computers and learn to program them.
What do you do in designing games in college? As a game design student, you will learn to design, document and communicate your design ideas and turn them into pre-made games. You can apply your game design skills to a range of design challenges, both in the game industry and in other industries where these skills are in demand.
What does a game design major study?
Associate and Bachelor’s Degrees Game design programs focus on teaching basic art and design skills, and then design gameplay and backgrounds, create characters and environments, and use your video and computer game knowledge to evaluate products.
What should I study if I want to be a game designer?
Most video game designers have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, multimedia design, or a related field. Some universities offer a degree in video game design. Classes typically include software engineering, 2D and 3D animation, programming languages, and computer design.
Can you make a living as a gamer?
Reports indicate that players can earn anywhere from $ 20 to $ 200 an hour of playing games, but there is no way to figure the average. However, these earnings can be increased by participating in activities such as gaming tournaments that often offer cash prizes and other incentives.
Can I play video games and earn money? Twitch has grown to become one of the most popular gaming sites around the world. This is the site where video gamers can earn money by streaming their gameplay. As your followers grow, you’ll start earning money from subscriptions and donations. Top streamers make 6- or even 7-digit years!
Who is considered a gamer?
Dictionary.com simply states that a player is “someone who plays games, especially computer or video games.” It makes sense, doesn’t it? According to this definition, it is a very inclusive group of which acceptance and ease are part of it. This definition even allows table players to take their place at the “table”.
