Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights is delighted to announce the launch of a Video Mapping competition for NCAD students in partnership with The Embassy of France in Ireland. Launched as part of the Digital Arts – Créativité & Innovation Tour in Ireland a workshop was hosted in NCAD and led by world-leading French digital artist Maxime Touroute, the competition aims to develop the medium of Video Mapping in Ireland.
Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights, in association with The Embassy of France in Ireland and NCAD will present a showcase of Video Mapping on Newcomen Bank, Dublin. All student competition entries will be projected onto the facade of one of Dublin’s finest Georgian buildings, Newcomen Bank, as part of the annual Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights festival in December. This will be a great opportunity for members of the public to see an array of video mapping artworks by emerging artists.
The prize for the winning entry is sponsored by The Embassy of France in Ireland. The winning entrant(s) will attend the IBSIC Video Mapping Conference and associated Video Mapping Festival in Lille France.
The partnership between Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights and The Embassy of France in Ireland fosters creative innovation and develops connections in the cultural and creative industries between Ireland and France.
Patrick and Liz Downes, a couple from Mitchelstown in Cork, are featured in a new online video as part of the Consumer Technology Association’s ‘The Human Component’ series. The video showcases their journey with the Hi Digital programme in partnership with the Irish Girl Guides, Vodafone Foundation, and ALONE.
The video follows 76-year-old Patrick, who rediscovered his passion for woodworking by embracing the digital world through the Hi Digital programme. With the support of his wife Liz, an Irish Girl Guides Leader and Hi Digital Champion, and the local IGG Unit, Patrick learns to use the internet to find woodworking tools and stay connected with his granddaughter.
Initially feeling disconnected and uninterested in modern technology after his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Patrick’s life underwent a transformative change with the introduction of the Hi Digital programme. His resilience shines as he navigates the digital world, guided by Liz and the local Irish Girl Guides. To watch the video, click here.
Since 2023, Vodafone Foundation has partnered with the Irish Girl Guides to roll out the Hi Digital programme across Ireland. This initiative aims to help older adults, and above, feel comfortable with digital usage and skills, thereby combating isolation and loneliness.
IGG has provided Hi Digital classes in 25 of their units around Ireland and has trained over 2000 older adults. IGG Guides, Senior Branch members, and Leaders participate in this mutually beneficial programme by tutoring older community members. The course is divided into short lessons, teaching participants how to access the internet, use smartphones, stay safe online, and identify and avoid scams and fraud.
Liz Downes, Irish Girl GuidesLeader, talking about her involvement with Hi Digital, said: “It’s about more than just teaching digital skills, it’s about fostering connections and breaking down barriers that can leave older generations feeling isolated. Through Hi Digital, we’re building bridges between generations and creating a sense of belonging for everyone.”
Jenny Gannon, Irish Girl GuidesProgramme and Training Commissioner, adds: “Today’s world is one dominated by tech and it is important that we learn to support each other to navigate the challenges that brings for all generations. This programme allows our young people to help older members of their community to learn how to use different aspects of their devices, while our younger members have also learned new skills while working on Hi Digital. This programme offers real opportunities for intergenerational learning and has been a hugely positive experience for all involved.”
Judy Collins, Vodafone Retail Advisor in Oliver Plunket Street, said: “I am delighted to see this video come to life, showcasing the fantastic impact the Hi Digital initiative has on the older generation. It’s heart-warming to witness stories like Patrick and Liz’s and see first-hand how Hi Digital is empowering older people with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world, reclaim their passions and stay connected with loved ones. We are thrilled to be able to provide this support”.
In the world of video gaming, we should endeavour to just keep it simple. Sometimes, there are benefits to moving from all-singing, all-dancing complexity to simple video games, and while this may seem like heresy, we’ve all got to dial it and remember that keeping things simple in our video gaming efforts can bring about a whole heap of positives, including the following:
A Pathway to Mastery
While simple games may lack in concept, the reality is that many classic games are difficult to truly master. Games like Sudoku and chess are excellent examples that have been perplexing people almost permanently. This means a satisfying challenge as players improve their skills over time. It can be incredibly complex to navigate modern gaming because of the sheer volume of functions, and this is why sometimes the simpler game mechanics, such as Sega Mega Drive and retro consoles, may have fewer features and are simpler. But this is a lesson in simplicity in every part of our lives. When we encourage ourselves to hone our abilities on simple and focused mechanics, we can achieve mastery and provide a solid gaming foundation that helps us in other aspects of our gaming journey.
Approachability and User Friendliness
Sometimes we just need to remember that simple is far more effective. Simpler games like Tetris are easy to learn and pick up, meaning that they are highly approachable for players of all skill levels. So rather than spending time fumbling with the controls trying to get into a game experience that we think we should be making the most of but getting frustrated in the process, simpler games like retro games with a handful of buttons make it a far more welcoming gameplay experience.
The Nostalgia Benefits
Nearly anybody of a certain age can look back on their childhood with fondness and remember playing games on the Commodore 64 or Super Nintendo. The enduring appeal of an old-fashioned game demonstrates that complex mechanics or graphics are not always necessary to provide an engaging gaming experience. We live in a world where games are heavy on content, and sometimes we need a palate cleanser. Shorter games with minimal rounds were all the rage in the 1990s. Games like The Terminator on the Mega Drive had four levels, providing an opportunity to enjoy gaming without being overburdened. That’s not to say they were games with more than a fair share of challenges. Flashback was another excellent game that had a handful of levels, but was densely layered.
While modern games are great for your memory and learning, sometimes we need to remember that simple can be far more sinister. Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic escape or a change of pace, complexity is something that we should shun in the modern world, not just in gaming but in life. Sometimes we can benefit from keeping things simple. Those older games like Pac-Man or Donkey Kong, as well as rhythm games such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero, can be a welcoming change from the norm.
The UCD Centre for Digital Policy, with the support ofMinister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary TD and Microsoft, today announced the release of a newly created AI video series to help build AI policy understanding and capabilities among policymakers, developers and others.
Bringing expert academic, legal, industry, political and policy expertise and insights together, the five short videos provide a solid base for anyone interested in deepening their knowledge and understanding of this dynamic technology and social policy space. Contributors include Minister Dara Calleary; AI Ambassador, Patricia Scanlon; Drs. Elizabeth Farries and Susan Leavy from UCD; AI Advisory Council member, Barry Scannell; and TrialView’s Stephen Dowling.
The video series builds on a collaboration between UCD and Microsoft, which saw the introduction of the Microsoft-UCD Digital Policy Programme at UCD in 2020 with the goal of building digital policy capability amongst the public and private sector in Ireland and across the wider EU.
The announcement was made at the Digital Ireland Conference organised by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment today in Dublin Castle. The event sought to underline Ireland’s position as a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments and demonstrate Government’s commitment to drive greater clarity, coherence and cooperation in digital in Ireland.
Welcoming the release of the AI video series, Minister Dara Calleary TD said: “Ireland can lead in responsible AI and innovative AI and be at the core of AI innovation in Europe. As we look ahead, skilling up in AI will give people the skills and confidence to deal with and manage AI. Skills are also crucial to understanding ethical AI and person-centred AI which are two key principles of Ireland’s national AI strategy.”
Dr. Elizabeth Farries from the UCD Centre for Digital Policy said: “Communication and comprehension needs to occur along every point of the AI supply and development chain. We need communication and understanding of ethics from researchers and developers to Governments embracing these technologies. That is why we recommend capacity building for policymakers and developers alike through education including the programmes offered at UCD Centre for Digital Policy.”
James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Lead and Vice President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Center said: “AI is a transformative technology that has huge potential to empower workers, businesses and communities across Ireland. As the use of AI tools and technologies accelerates, it is important that both the policy opportunities and challenges created by the technology are well understood. By providing insights from a wide-ranging set of experts across academia, policy and industry, the new AI video series produced in collaboration with the UCD Centre for Digital Policy can help to deepen understanding in these key areas and ensure responsible AI principles are put into practice.”
The AI Video Series, along with a similar series on Cyber Security produced last year, are available to view at www.digitalpolicy.ie.
The Unreal Engine has established itself as one of the leading tools in the game development industry. Its advanced graphics and physics capabilities allow for the creation of immersive game worlds with a high degree of detail and realism.
Analyzing successful examples of games that are based on this platform provides immense value for both newcomers and industry veterans. Studying these examples inspires creativity and innovation and helps discover practical methods for overcoming technical and design challenges.
Let’s look at the features of Unreal Engine together with the developers of high-quality games from Stepico, who have also shared successful examples created on this engine.
What is Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine by Epic Games is a leading game engine with high quality and extensive capabilities for developers. It is free to use, but with certain royalty conditions, and offers a full set of tools for creating AAA-level games.
The engine has proved attractive to any unreal game development company due to its development flexibility resulting from open-source code and an active community. It is especially valued for its built-in support for multiplayer modes, making it easier to create online games.
The advantages of Unreal Engine include:
focus on large projects with realistic graphics and open worlds;
intuitive editing process that makes most operations easy to perform;
availability of source code for users;
ability to develop games without deep programming knowledge;
support from Epic Games, including funding for promising projects with grants ranging from 5 to 500 thousand dollars.
Known for the powerful capabilities and quality graphics, Unreal Engine is used not only for creating 3D games for PC and consoles, but also in mobile game development, for which it offers specific tools.
In addition, Unreal Engine finds application beyond the gaming industry, including VR/AR technologies, creating animations and graphics for cinematography, and adding visual effects in real-time in the television industry.
DISCOVERY game review
DISCOVERY by Stepico is a cinematic first-person shooter set in the distant future of a remote galaxy. The game is developed using the Unreal Engine 5. On the planet Rogax, once covered in water, players encounter a wondrous flora evolved from marine life and hidden deadly predators.
Development features and innovations
Unreal Engine 5 allowed the developers of DISCOVERY to recreate the unique flora of the planet Rogax and its dangerous inhabitants with incredible detail. Advanced technologies were used to recreate a living, realistic world with powerful storms and radioactive dust.
Technical and design challenges
According to the approved concept, developers were tasked with adapting marine flora to the planet’s conditions after a global cataclysm. Stepico’s specialists successfully overcame this complexity, creating unique life forms that became part of the game world. Lighting and atmospheric effects, such as magnetic anomalies, were used to deepen players’ immersion in the exciting experience of exploring Rogax’s mysteries.
BIGFOOT game review
BIGFOOT offers players a unique Survival Horror experience, where they embark on a hunt for the legendary yeti. The game is developed on Unreal Engine 5, allowing one player or a group of up to four to immerse themselves in a world of intense survival in the wild reserves’ forests.
Development features and innovations
The use of Unreal Engine 5 ensured the creation of a realistic environment and a chilling hunting experience. Players are offered to explore locations, track the yeti, set traps, and defend themselves against other dangers. Developers implemented advanced AI for the yeti, making it a smart and formidable opponent.
Technical and design challenges
“Creating a realistic yeti and its changing environment was quite a challenge,” say the Stepico developers, who managed to recreate diverse weather conditions requiring players to adapt and act.
Creating a tense atmosphere was achieved through thoughtful use of sound and visual effects. This makes every encounter with the yeti unpredictable and dangerous.
Unreal Engine’s contribution to the success of the games
The advanced technological capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 were instrumental in creating the games DISCOVERY and BIGFOOT. In particular, developers note such tools:
Nanite and Lumen – allowed for impressive visual and lighting effects in Discovery. These technologies provided realistic and dynamic lighting, as well as high scene detail without significant performance loss.
MetaHuman – the tool was used to create realistic characters in BIGFOOT, providing high detail in facial animation and emotional expression, enhancing realism and immersion in the game.
Interactivity and physics– Unreal Engine 5 provided powerful tools for creating interactive elements and realistic physics modeling, making interaction with the surrounding world in DISCOVERY and BIGFOOT compelling and engaging;
Blueprints– the Blueprints visual scripting system allowed developers of both games to quickly and effectively implement game logic and mechanics;
Virtual production– these technologies in Unreal Engine 5 helped teams visualize and test scenes in real-time, improving the creative decision-making process.
Analyzing successful projects on Unreal Engine 5 demonstrates its significance for the gaming industry, providing developers with a powerful tool for creating games with cutting-edge graphics and innovative mechanics. In fact, Guinness World Records names Unreal Engine, the world’s “most successful videogame engine” in 2014. We hope our examples will serve as inspiration and showcase the prospects for future developments, emphasizing the flexibility and possibilities of Unreal Engine in realizing creative and innovative ideas in games.
A new study, published in the British Psychological Society’s British Journal of Psychology, found that regular gamers performed better on tasks measuring cognitive functions such as attention and memory.
The study, which took place at the Lero Esports Science Research Lab at University of Limerick, involved 88 young adults, half of whom regularly played more than seven hours of action-based video games each week.
Participants were tested with three tasks measuring different aspects of their cognitive performance – a simple reaction time test, a task which involved switching between responding to combinations of numbers and letters to evaluate executive function and working memory, and a maze-based activity to assess visuospatial memory.
The researchers found that regular gamers were able to complete the number-letter task and the maze task 12.7 and 17.4 % quicker respectively than the group of non-gamers.
“The regular playing of video games is often criticised and seen as unhealthy, but our research shows that gamers may enjoy some cognitive benefits over the wider population, particularly relating to attentiveness and memory,” according to Dr Adam Toth of University of Limerick and Lero, the SFI Research Centre for Software, and one of the authors of the research.
Dr Mark Campbell, added: “In line with previous work out of our lab, this research may have implications in sectors where cognitive performance is paramount, such as surgery, and air traffic control, where video game play could be encouraged to help develop the elite cognitive performance required.”
The research also investigated a further angle – whether gamers are less prone to suffering from cognitive fatigue than the wider population.
Some participants were assigned an additional task, designed to require concentration for a long period of time and bring about cognitive fatigue (decline in performance), before being reevaluated on the initial cognitive tests.
The researchers found that gamers and non-gamers saw their performance decline at the same rate, with no significant difference found in the level of cognitive fatigue experienced.
The research was published in the British Journal of Psychology, a flagship journal of the British Psychological Society. The British Psychological Society is a registered charity which acts as the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK, and is responsible for the promotion of excellence and ethical practice in the science, education and application of the discipline. The paper is available at: https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjop.12692
A new intelligent video bar with expandable audio was the star of the show for Boom Collaboration at the ISE 2024 trade show in Barcelona.
The Boom HALO features a 4K UHD camera, six microphone array and high fidelity speakers for a seamless all-in-one collaboration experience. In addition up to eight extra speakers can be connected to maximise audio and voice pick-up in larger or more flexible rooms.
Available in white and black colours, the HALO boasts many advanced features such as facial recognition, speaker tracking, intelligent noise reduction and AI auto-framing.
Visitors to the international AV and systems integration event witnessed all of Boom’s latest innovations, such as high performance cameras and audio devices as well as convenient all-in-one systems. Its new MAGNA Pro powerful camera, GOJO camera controller and forthcoming ZYGO user-friendly connectivity hub attracted lots of attention. All products are available from distributor Westcoast.
Boom Collaboration at ISE 2024
Boom also ‘teased’ a new PTZ camera with 25x optical zoom and NDI video over IP support. Another variant boasts highly responsive ‘intelligence’, including voice tracking. Furthermore a new wireless sharing dongle was also demonstrated alongside an innovative connectivity station – that allows instant switching between in-room PC or Bring Your Own Device deployments, across up to a 100 metre installation range.
Launchpad
The fast-growing video conferencing manufacturer, hailed the four-day show – which attracted over 73,000 attendees – a perfect launchpad to accelerate further forward this year.
Co-founder Holli Hulett emphasised: “Boom is based on delivering better meetings, simply. This was our third consecutive year at ISE and each time it gets bigger and better for us. The HALO video bar was one of many stand-out innovations.”
Fellow founder Fredrik Hörnkvist added: “We have exciting growth plans for 2024 and ISE provided a perfect platform to help us accelerate much further forward and really begin to boom. We are determined to remain the friendly face of video conferencing, based on a personal touch and a passion for long lasting partnerships through the distribution channel. ISE 2024 inspired lots of interest and future success from the tens of thousands of visitors.”
Jabra, a global leader in true wireless sound and hybrid work solutions, has announced Jabra+ for Admins, a cloud-based API-first software platform for remote monitoring and management of meeting rooms and devices, at ISE 2024.
Jabra+ for Admins offers a seamless experience from start to finish, allowing users to manage their communication devices with ease, saving time on administration and troubleshooting. IT administrators will have visibility and control over settings, firmware and insights from one unified software platform and can check in for real-time status updates from anywhere.
Jabra+ for Admins will pave the way for future experiences for IT administrators, end users, and partners – starting with meeting room and video device management that customers can sign up for now via an Early Adopter Program, with wider availability this summer.
Next Generation Meeting Room and Video Device Management
With Jabra+ for Admins, users can effortlessly monitor and manage all Jabra meeting room solutions with a clear visual overview of rooms, locations, and devices. The modern user-interface (UI), new design, and enhanced intuitiveness make device management more accessible, offering a comprehensive solution for IT administrators.
The platform also allows users to manage all devices in a room collectively, optimising the in-room experience by remotely configuring devices and updating firmware. Furthermore, the real-time online/offline status tracking of rooms and devices helps to identify immediate issues, reducing IT tickets and ensuring a seamless meeting experience.
A Unified and Secure Cloud Platform
As a unified software platform, Jabra+ for Admins can integrate with IT help desk systems and third-party tools to create an ecosystem for device management. Whether updating devices, customising headsets, or integrating with Jabra devices, users engage with just a single system.
Jabra+ for Admins also leverages the security and scalability of Microsoft Azure, providing a future-proof platform with Single Sign-On (SSO) for easy access. SSO enhances security by reducing attack surfaces and streamlining user authentication, resulting in a better user experience and alleviating IT burdens associated with password recovery.
Holger Reisinger, SVP Enterprise Solutions at Jabra said, “In the hybrid workplace where managing meeting rooms and multiple devices is increasingly complex, we understand the importance of simplicity and efficiency. This is why we created Jabra+ for Admins; a streamlined, secure platform that is easy to use. Users can now be more productive and spend more time on what makes their business thrive.”
Experience the Future of Intelligent Meetings with Jabra PanaCast at ISE
Jabra will also showcase its latest video collaboration solutions, the Jabra PanaCast 50 and Jabra PanaCast 50 Video Bar System, at ISE 2024. These cutting-edge solutions feature innovative AI-powered experiences, including the new Intelligent Meeting Space feature.
Now available, this feature empowers users to personalise and set virtual meeting space boundaries, ensuring only relevant participants within this defined area are included, while excluding bystanders and passersby.
Jabra will also be presenting its new Mind the Gap – How Gen Z is Disrupting the Workplace in 2024 report at ISE. Download a full copy of the report here: www.jabra.com/GenZ-2024
Find out more about Jabra at ISE or visit them in Hall 2, Stand 2P130.
Availability and pricing
Jabra+ for Admins for meeting rooms and video devices is currently available via an Early Adopter Program, with wider availability this summer. Personal device management is planned later this year.
Conferencing manufacturer Boom Collaboration has expanded its video bar portfolio with the arrival of an intelligent all-one-one solution which is ideally suited for larger rooms.
The flagship Boom HALO features a 4K UHD camera, six microphone array and high fidelity speakers to provide a seamless collaboration experience.
Available from distributor Westcoast, it boasts many advanced features such as facial recognition, speaker tracking, intelligent noise reduction and AI auto-framing. Additional ports allow for audio expansion for flexible rooms and growing teams.
Boom Collaboration was born in 2020 by founders Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett. The Texas-based business has quickly developed an extensive conferencing portfolio and operates in over 30 countries after a successful expansion programme during 2023.
“There’s little doubt the popularity of video bars will continue to grow this year and the Boom HALO will add more fuel to the fire,” says Hulett.
“With 120° wide angle field of view, 10x zoom and smart mic array, the HALO detects both participants and speakers in real time locking in on attendees and allowing for hands-free operation. Six array MEMS microphones and a superior 4K lens with an eight megapixel CMOS sensor ensure an exceptional meeting experience for a variety of spaces.”
Excellent audio
Hörnkvist highlighted the HALO’s excellent audio quality. “High-fidelity audio with a 48kHz sampling rate and dual 10W speakers provide lossless audio and full spectrum sound for meeting participants. Acoustic Echo Cancellation and Automatic Gain Control further enhance the meeting experience and work to ensure full duplex quality at a distance of six metres.”
He pointed out how Bluetooth 5.0 allows for easy pairing with mobile phones and other
devices while expansion ports for additional microphones and speakers ensure optimal coverage for any space.
He added: “Plug & Play simplicity is created from USB 3.0. Users can simply connect and enjoy their favourite video conferencing platform. Furthermore an automatic privacy shutter is combined with the ability to disengage wireless connectivity for added security.”
Boom’s video bar portfolio also includes the high performance AURA and compact UNO for smaller and personal use. All are backed by a three-year warranty. The HALO is available in black or white colour options.
