Computer Games Research Group

At Liverpool John Moores, The CGRG led by Prof. Abdennour El Rhalibi develops and applies new game technologies methods and algorithm to a range of problems. The group have internationally recognised expertise in game development, middleware and engine development, online game development and deployment, Peer-to-Peer technologies, applied Artificial Intelligence, interaction techniques between real and virtual environment, serious games technologies applied to education and training, 3D character animation and in digital interactive storytelling. A central theme of the groups work is technology leverage - the provision of software tools and technologies which allow techniques to be developed, integrated and used effectively for a range of application.

The group has applied his experience in game development and middleware and, engine development in a number of projects with BBC R&D, leading to the development of Homura Game Engine. The group has also applied his knowledge and expertise for the development of NetHomura, a networked game middleware supporting the development and online deployment of Multiplayer Online Games.

The CGR group have a strong interest in Peer-to-Peer technologies, and in particular how it could be used to support development of large scale MMOG, looking at the issues of architecture, design issues, protocol, scalability, communication and state consistency. In this context the group have devised and evaluated a number of architectures, and will use them for the deployment of MMOG prototype carried out in current and future projects. The group has an extensive experience in Artificial Intelligence and how it can be used to solve a very large number of problems using the latest AI technologies based on RBS, CSP, Genetic Algorithms, and other meta-heuristics techniques. Some new hybrid approaches have been developed and used in internal projects for Emotional NPC society and in Digital Interactive Storytelling. The group has also a strong interest in Embodied Character Animation.

The general aim of the group is to build computing tools that provide a supportive function within an organisation, offering efficiency, economy, effectiveness and productivity gains. Capitalising on advanced games technologies, the work integrates new emerging technologies by drawing on work from several disciplines, such as engineering, computer science and psychology.

In its basic and applied work, CGR Group has developed systems ranging from 'bespoke' applications to general games development systems and modelling tools for a range of clients including the BBC R&D and BBC Backstage, and to local game companies. The approach adopted is interactive, employing user-centred, participative, and iterative design concepts. An important aspect of the work is concerned with developing large scale software to support designers and game programmers as well as the public for UGC applications.

The methodologies and algorithms developed by the group will see use within the game industry, broadcasting industry, animation technology, and within the education and training sectors - resulting in Game Engine, Digital Interactive Storytelling Engine, Game Network Middleware, and Automatic Educational Advising systems and Computer-Based training. The game engines developed are also used as educational tools not only at JMU but also in some UK universities.

The group is involved in a number of projects internally and externally funded. CGRG have been supported and endorsed by the BBC R&D. The games technology systems we have developed in our research (including the Homura game engine, NetHomura network middleware and the 3D character animation system Charisma) have been presented in many specially organised seminars to the different departments of the BBC including BBC R&D, BBC RAD, CBBC, Future Media Technology departments, BBC Backstage and Learning during Dec 2008-May 2009, to local games companies in 2010 and to international IEEE and ACM conferences.

The outcomes of these research projects are being used in the development of new modules for the MSc Computer Games Technologies and the MSc Computer Animation and Visualisation programmes. Many students from the MSc Computer Games Technology programme have been granted a bursary to do their MSc dissertation in the context of the projects with the BBC R&D and some students have been accepted to continue on a PhD research programme also financed by the BBC R&D.

1. Membership

2.1 Academic

· Prof. Abdennour El Rhalibi (Group Leader)

· Prof. Madjid Merabti (Affiliated)

· Dr Martin Hanneghan (Affiliated)

· Dr David England (Affiliated)

· Dr Paul Fergus

· Dr. Omar Abuelma'atti

· Dr Yuanyuan Shen

· Dr Sudi Sudirman (affiliated)

· Mr Christopher Carter

2.2 Research Students