Abstract

Abstract
This article investigates the role of storytelling in video game localisation and its impact on players’ immersion and overall gaming experience. While these topics have been extensively studied and developed within the research community, there is still a lack of information combining them in a practical study specific to a particular genre or video game. Using grounded theory, we conducted a study using The Witcher III: Wild Hunt as a case study (role-playing game). We had 41 participants play the video game in two localised versions (English and Brazilian-Portuguese), complete questionnaires, and be interviewed about their gameplay experience after each version. The results provided design recommendations to enhance video game immersion (language and voice-acting) and highlight certain aspects that game designers should consider to further intensify players’ immersion during gameplay.

Abstract

Abstract
We propose a solution for generating dynamic heightmap data to simulate deformations for soft objects, with a focus on the human skin. The solution utilizes mesostructure-level wrinkles and procedural textures to add static microstructure details. It offers flexibility beyond human skin during animations to mimic other material deformations, such as leather and rubber. Various methods suffer from self-intersections and increased storage requirements during synthesizing wrinkles. Although manual intervention using wrinkles and tension maps offers control, it lacks information on principal deformation directions. Physics-based simulations can generate detailed wrinkle maps, but may limit artistic control. Our research presents a procedural method to enhance the generation of dynamic deformation patterns, including wrinkles, with better control and without reliance on captured data. Incorporating static procedural patterns improves realism, and the proposed approach can be used in other application areas.

Abstract
The Inven!RA architecture is an approach for online tracking of progression towards learning objectives, from analytics of distributed learning activities, provided by multiple third parties. However, there are few examples on how to implement such third-party learning activities, known as Activity Provider modules. We followed the Inven!RA architecture interfacing specification to create and implement two sample learning activities: a technical documentation analysis activity and an Arduino microelectronics programming activity. Integration tests with an Inven!RA architecture prototype confirmed the adequacy of this implementation. Thus, these samples provide clarification on how to design and develop Inven!RA Activity Provider modules.;A arquitetura Inven!RA é uma abordagem para o acompanhamento online da evolução face a objetivos de aprendizagem, através de dados analíticos de atividades de aprendizagem distribuídas, proporcionadas por um leque variado de entidades externas. Como são escassos os exemplos de implementação destas atividades de aprendizagem externas, designadas por módulos de Prestadores de Atividades,seguimos a especificação de interfaces da arquitetura para criar e implementar dois exemplos de atividades de aprendizagem: uma atividade de análise de documentação técnica e uma de programação de microeletrónica com Arduino. Testes de integração com um protótipo da Inven!RA confirmaram a adequação destas implementações. Consequentemente, proporcionam clarificação quanto à forma de conceber e desenvolver módulos de Prestadores de Atividades para a arquitetura Inven!RA.

Abstract
Chairing online Master Programmes requires constant monitoring and decision-making, amidst diversified data and ongoing processes. If misunderstood or misinterpreted, poor decisions may result, as well as lost opportunities to support enrolled students. Decision-making can be supported by dashboards, but there are few prototypes which underwent limited evaluation. We focus on identifying and prototyping efficient visualisation and interaction methods for such a dashboard, to offer online Master Program chairs opportunities for better analysis and decision-making. Design science research was conducted: evaluate and revise an existing prototype; evaluate the revised prototype with master program chairs; design, implementation, and evaluation of a final prototype, again involving master program chairs. The final prototype dashboard provides a way for Master Program chairs to visualize and interact with Master Program data, to support improved analysis of information and quick identification of problems, towards better decision-making.;A coordenação de cursos de mestrado online requer constante acompanhamento e tomada de decisões, com dados diversificados e processos em curso. Se mal interpretados, podem advir decisões inadequadas ou perderem-se oportunidades de apoiar os alunos do curso. Existem painéis de instrumentos de apoio, mas poucos protótipos, carentes de avaliação aprofundada. Focámo-nos na identificação e prototipagem de métodos de visualização e interação para um destes painéis, visando proporcionar aos coordenadores de cursos de mestrado online oportunidades para melhor tomada de decisão. Conduzimos iterações de investigação por ciência da conceção: avaliação e reformulação de protótipo existente; avaliação do protótipo revisto por coordenadores de cursos de mestrado; conceção, implementação e avaliação de protótipo final, novamente envolvendo coordenadores de cursos. O protótipo final constitui uma forma de coordenadores de curso visualizarem e interagirem com os dados do curso, apoiando melhor análise e rápida identificação de problemas, visando melhor tomada de decisões.