Microsoft Research Asia Gaming & Graphics Theme Request for Proposals (RFP) 1. Background Academia is embracing computer games as an important topic of research and curriculum in computer science. Computer games provide a new approach for the research and teaching of traditional technologies in computer science with tangible results and also foster multi-disciplinary efforts. In the Asia Pacific region, the game industry is developing very quickly. To meet the increasing demand for core technologies and talents in the emerging market, more and more universities are initiating research and developing curriculum under the topic of games. Game production integrates a lot of technologies, such as Graphics, Audio, AI, Networking, Interaction Design etc. The technical challenges of developing attractive visual effects and the tangible results of efforts make graphics technologies the most outstanding direction in gaming research, development and courses. Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA) announces the program of Gaming and Graphics Theme 2005 in the Asia Pacific region to facilitate the research and curriculum development of gaming and graphics in universities. 2. Welcomed Topics The Microsoft Research Asia Gaming and Graphics Theme 2005 welcomes the submission of proposals which either demonstrate innovative research, or propose the creation, testing and dissemination of new curriculum introducing advanced topics of Gaming and Graphics into technical curricula. Universities can select their favorite topics in research or curriculum development to submit proposals. We prefer the proposals to use Microsoft technologies as the platform to develop the research prototypes and curriculum experimental projects. The related Microsoft technologies and platforms include: Windows and DirectX, which provides a powerful games development environment on PCs with high-performance components of graphics, sound, music, and 3-D animation, etc; Microsoft Xbox, which is a mainstream platform to support the development and running of console games; Windows CE, which provides an easy-to-use platform to develop games on mobile devices. 2.1 Research of Core Gaming Technologies Among the welcomed research topics of gaming development listed below, we emphasize graphics technologies. We encourage the fundamental understanding of theories and technologies of graphics under the context of games development. You can put other topics as additional or supportive components to design the complete solution in your proposal. z Research of Graphics technologies (Emphasized topic) Real-time rendering, GPU processing, reflectance and shading models, natural phenomena, texture synthesis, geometric modeling, and 2D vector graphics, etc z Research of AI and Behavior Intelligent agents, emergent behavior, dialog systems, etc z Interaction Design for Entertainment Novel Games Interactive Experience paradigm and UI Design to support it, etc z Research of Emerging Games Technologies Network Games, Mobile Games, etc 2.2 Curriculum of Games Production Curriculum proposals may focus on the creation of full courses, or a series of discrete teaching modules that could be integrated into other courses or programs of study. The emphasis is the deep understanding and targeted instruction of advanced topics of games production based on the Microsoft Technical platform and technologies. We expect to receive curriculum proposals related to the following topics: z The Lifecycle of Game Development To produce a playable game including the whole process from conception to design, prototype, production and testing z Content Production Pipeline and Tools To develop tools to manage work flow and production processes of content z Game Engine Use and Development To Use the popular game engines to support efficient game development and/or develop the experimental game engine z Game Programming Technologies To Develop the APIs and implement the algorithms of the core technologies of game production, such as 3D rendering, shaders, physics, AI, networking, etc z Sound Design and Production, and Interactive Music To design and develop game paradigm and prototypes with solid sound and music effects 3. Eligibility Conditions of eligibility listed below must be strictly adhered to. Proposals not meeting all the criteria will not be considered. 3.1 For Research Proposals z The research platform should be based on Microsoft technologies. z Universities and/or faculty retain ownership of all intellectual property rights (IPR) created from this project (local university policies may apply). MSRA encourages the winners of the research awards to share the results, such as the research platform, tools, technical reports, papers and source code, in the public domain to contribute to the research community. In cases of equal merit on other rules, preference will be given to projects where the results will be placed in the public domain. 3.2 For Curriculum Proposals z The proposed project should result in the creation of content and other materials to facilitate the teaching of computer game production courses based on Microsoft technologies. z Proposals should evidence a commitment to make all results arising from a funded project (including all intellectual property in those results) broadly available by either: (i) dedicating such results to the public domain; or (ii) making the results available under a non-restrictive license that allows modification and redistribution without any significant restrictions or conditions, A typical example can be found at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/MSDN-FILES/027/002/097/ShSourceCLILicense.htm z Proposals should further evidence willingness to contribute any resulting curriculum materials to the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance Curriculum Repository (http://www.msdnaa.net/curriculum) z The proposal must include a plan to deliver the created course material and the expected timing for University approval of the curriculum together with a proposed date for advertising the curriculum to potential students and the expected teaching start date. z The proposal and created course materials must be in English; however translation of these course materials into other languages is highly desirable. 4. Additional Resources Homepage of Microsoft Gaming Sites http://www.microsoft.com/games/ Homepage of Internet Graphics Group of Microsoft Research Asia http://research.microsoft.com/ig/ http://research.microsoft.com/asia/group/ig/default.aspx Homepage of Microsoft DirectX http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx Homepage of Microsoft Xbox http://www.xbox.com/en-us/cultureSelectLanding.htm MSDNAA Curriculum Repository http://www.msdnaa.net/curriculum/repository.aspx Gamedev http://www.gamedev.net/ Gamasutra http://www.gamasutra.com Flipcode http://www.flipcode.com/ .