ANIRUDH CHERUVU

Design research is a key component of my creative endeavor. Research-orientation brings forth nuances while adding depth and rationale to the design. In games, it brings about change in perspective with which one perceives the process. The ability to delve into domain aspects of the game adds value to the product. To design a game, I break it down to systems and models and then 'emotion engineer'. 

           Games can make a deeper societal impact in ways we can administer. This cognizance resulted in pursuit of Master of Design (2015-17) in Universal College of Learning, New Zealand, where I crafted an RPG entitled Eternal Vengeance fueled by research on augmenting AI models for combat systems in RPGs. The game’s pre-alpha showcase, upheld and followed by focus group studies and endogenous design research, has proven that player engagement can be enhanced by implementing new bosses whose AI is based on Augmented Probabilistic Finite State Machines. Studying strategic medical simulation games like Plague Inc and identifying the improvement of learning alacrity on contemporary weapons in Call of Duty (and other First-Person Shooters), spurred research interest in Intelligent Games.               

            My research interests are experimental games, intelligent games and games for social upliftment. A part of this has been implemented in designing Celestial, where scientific data has been added to a few elements of the game’s Core Loop, resulting in a play-experience that is distinct, engaging, informative and intriguing. Such games could occupy commercial, pedagogical as well as indie production space attempting to merge epistemic community of industry professionals with research.

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