to fly; trapped in the sinking Titanic with

three minutes to leave or driving around the

streets of Adelaide in a car the size of a

jumbo jet.

They may seem far-fetched, but these

scenarios have become a virtual reality

through an interactive multi-media

experience created by a group of Adelaide

students.

Building Virtual Worlds is among projects on

display this week to mark the end of

semester for 22 young people from the

Entertainment Technology Centre â€' part of

the renowned Carnegie Mellon University.

Carnegie Mellon University, the first foreign

university to be set up in Australia, has two

schools in Adelaide â€' ETC and the H John

Heinz III School of Public Policy and

Management. Offering a specialised Masters

in Entertainment Technology (MET) degree,

the ETC gives Australian and international

students the chance to undertake an intense

two-year full-time study program. It

comprises advanced computing, engineering,

programming, artistic and organisational

subjects within and entertainment

technology context.

ETC Australia Director John Buchanan said

the ten virtual worlds, developed over the

past three months, highlighted the talent and

creativity being honed at ETC.

“The students have worked very hard â€' about

60 hours a week on these projects,� he said.

“In the beginning, there is a lot of planning

and problem solving. Then they incorporate

their computer science skills and in some

cases, even industrial design.

“Many of these students want to forge

careers in (computer) game making so they

are also learning a lot about the industry at

the same time. Teamwork, scheduling and

deadlines are the norm in the workplace and

they have certainly become accustomed to

that.�

Dr Buchanan said the students understood

that for technology to be interesting, it must

be tangible.

“Each virtual world has to be interactive so

people can experience it for themselves,� he

said. “Ensuring input devises were

incorporated into the worlds was crucial.

Whether it be by flapping their wings as a

newly hatched bird on their first flying lesson

to manipulating a submarine to escape a

sinking ship â€' the aim was to give people the

chance to get involved.�

The exhibition, presented in cabaret style,

coincides with a celebration for the first ETC

student to graduate in Adelaide.

Albith Delgado came to Adelaide in

September last year from Puerto Rico and has

just finished his degree.

The 24-year-old has spent most of the last

semester advising and helping ETC students

with their projects.

“The main thing I've learnt, and wanted to

get across, is to make sure that if you are

designing a game, you can visualise the look

on the player's face,� he said. “If we don't

make the game functional and entertaining,

it's just still pictures or cod â€' it's not an

experience.�

Mr Delgado, who wants to be a technical

artist, said there was a void in the computer

games market that ETC students could fill.

“What we want to do is create a set of tools

and methods for conceptualising a game

quickly,� he said. “We feel that right now,

with all the big budgets and the way games

are made, it's hard to get original ideas in a

game. We want to make this easier for

designers and provide more options for

consumers.�

He said Adelaide had provided plenty of

inspiration for games.

“I think it is the best town for a uni student,�

he said. “Everything is very central and it is

very vibrant and multicultural. Certainly

elements of our games and designs are

based on what we are seeing every day.�

Media Note:

Location of show: The garage, 163

Waymouth Street

Time of show: 1830-2130, Friday 29th June

Contact Details:

Dr. John W. Buchanan

Program Director, Professor

ETC Australia

Carnegie Mellon University

Level 1 83 Currie Street

Adelaide, South Australia

Australia 5000

m: +61 403 512 279

e: juancho@cmu.edu