Researcher

Xianzhi Wang is a PhD researcher in i-DAT on the CODEX International Postgraduate Research Network.

My research focuses on character design and immersion in video games.
Although game design and appearance vary, most successful video games have one important thing in common: the interactivity aspect. This phenomenon is called “immersion” – a name often used by gamers and designers both. In such a highly emotional state, people are fully engaged in the game, often losing the track of time, and feeling more satisfaction. Players do not want to stay laid back and inactive. However, they would rather be involved as the participants. Any successful game of any genre should provide the player with the sense of immersion and be very good in directing player’s movement and attention. Immersion is present in every sphere of the human life, and digitally mediated immersion, meaning the human sense in and perception of virtual environments generated and presented by computer systems, is one of the main issues of the virtual reality technology. The participant when immersed in a virtual environment, processes the visual and other perceptual data of the virtual world like a real world. Both on computers and the mobile phones, video games have become a form of representation of the modern society with its rich content, high level of immersion, competitiveness, and social attributes. It has also become a subject of research of psychological scientists who claim that the most games are appealing to many players because they offer a chance to be absorbed into the greatest and fascinating virtual worlds. It has been found in much research that immersion is a key factor in the continued attractiveness of video games by the players. Many factors contribute to the creation of immersion, and this study will investigate the way game character design creates immersion and the way in which immersion appears from the player. Understanding the mechanism of its creation and making some conclusions as for its use in the further development.

Shiyuan Liu is a PhD researcher in i-DAT on the CODEX International Postgraduate Research Network. His background in 3D animation and interactive design, with a MA from the Royal College of Art. He specializes in immersive experiences, narrative and interactive fiction, and audio-visual storytelling.

His work explores the grand narrative of contemporary society through daily unconscious phenomena, which aims to explore the embodied virtuality and the diverse communications of multiple senses from XR medias, such as sight,hearing, touch, and smell.

His current work focuses on the embodiment of dynamic XR technologies and Shadow Puppet Play within a performative archive system, seeking to explore the key characteristics of embodied virtuality in immersive and virtual media experiences.

Vivienne (Weiwen) Peng is a PhD researcher in i-DAT on the CODEX International Postgraduate Research Network. Her research aims to revitalise these neglected community spaces through creative artistic engagement and community participation, creating a more sustainable and inclusive model of artistic engagement with these communities, paying particular attention to investigate the application of socially engaged art in revitalised state-owned industrial communities in the Northeast and Southwest China.

Using practice-based techniques underpinned by qualitative research methods, including literature reviews, case studies, fieldwork, and structured questionnaires, to develop a theoretical framework and practical model. Her research will engage with developing an innovative and sustainable strategy for integrating socially engaged art into the lives of residents.

The research process will be three art practice projects, together with a critical thesis that contextualises the argument through discourse practice, synthesis, and reflection. As socially engaged art projects require ‘participation’, ‘dialogue’, and ‘collaboration’ from people and organisations from all walks of life, this study invites art practitioners, interdisciplinary researchers, external organisations, and residents to participate.It will be achieved through research and practice design as the solution to specific problems:

1. Exploring the significance of socially engaged art in old post-state-owned industrial communities to reveal the impact of socially engaged art on preserving local cultural memory and promoting community identity, highlighting how art can be used as a medium to preserve and revitalise the cultural heritage of industrial areas.
2. Innovating an experimental method of socially engaged art practice to foster new approaches to community-based art projects that are based on the specific needs and histories of communities and encourage the active participation of residents in the creative process.
3. Creating a socially engaged art model that meets the concept of future development, integrating arts practice with urban planning and community development strategies to ensure that revitalisation efforts are culturally, economically, and socially beneficial to residents.