colloquium /Robert Nideffer

unexceptional.net

unexceptional.net is draws on the traditions of comics, graphic novels and computer games. The central character "Guy" has recently found out that his partner is having an affair. This discovery launches him upon a series of quests that you participate in, in effort to help Guy gain insight into the nature of his partner's relationship. The ultimate goal is to help Guy attain "enlightenment." To do this you must find key objects that open Guy’s seven major "Chakras," the energetic centers of the body according to Buddhist doctrine.

The project involves an extensive database infrastructure for storing and delivering game-state data via the Web, GPS enabled mobile phones, and a 3D game client. The Blog provides players information about what’s going on in Guy’s life, current game state, player locations, and quest progress. The Blog also provides an administrative framework enabling game designers to alter the game and have it immediately reflected in the various game clients. Players can also quest via voice. This has been done by integrating telephony software that incorporates automated call routing enabling players to receive calls based on where they are in physical space, as well as who they are in proximity to. Additionally, database and player interactions can be viewed in a Flash-based "Transaction Visualizer."

All data used in the game is location specific and sent to the phone and 3D client from the game server during game-play. Thus the game world is representative of the physical environment it's played in. This makes the game world extremely extensible while allowing for quests to be linked to specific locales. Game state is continually fed to the server via the different client interfaces, and broadcast back out to those interfaces. What happens in each of the interfaces effects the others in real-time.

A goal of unexeceptional.net is to push at the boundaries of network interoperability using a combination of freely available and custom-built software, and make the results easily available toothers for their own creative experimentation.

Bio

Robert F. Nideffer researches, teaches, and publishes in the areas of virtual environments and behavior, interface theory and design, technology and culture, and contemporary social theory. He holds an MFA in Computer Arts, and a Ph.D. in Sociology, and is an Associate Professor in Studio Art and Informatics at UC Irvine, where he serves as an Affiliated Faculty in the Visual Studies Program, and as Co-Director for the Art, Computation and Engineering (ACE) Program. He is also directing the UC Irvine Game Culture & Technology Lab, and a related academic "Concentration in Game Culture and Technology." Robert has participated in a number of national and international online and offline exhibitions, speaking engagements and panels for a variety of professional conferences.