Dissertation - Formulating Ideas

At the end of this semester I will be submitting a proposal for my MSc dissertation. The dissertation will be a semester long project during which I will have no other coursework, and will be working full time researching a game programming topic. I will be expected to present new and useful findings that better the game industry knowledge as a whole, with the understanding that this is not a PhD and I only have one semester in which to complete the research.

Today, I've at last settled on a possible research topic. As regular readers will remember, last semester I created a fuzzy logic controller and genetic algorithm optimization using HTML5 JavaScript. My lecturer Dr. David King seemed interested in developing the project further, but I wasn't sure how to go about doing that. After our meeting today, however, I think I have found a way that combines many of my programming interests into one project.

Fuzzy controller input membership functions for last semester's project

I'll frame the topic first as a product: An online tool that game developers can use to create fuzzy control systems for their games and automatically generate a plugin that is ready to use. Optionally, it can also generate a genetic algorithm optimization method for them - however, since this requires knowledge of the game implementation, this would be more difficult to implement - but also more interesting and potentially rewarding.

However, this is not just a semester long project - it is a research dissertation. I have to be able to phrase my topic in terms of an investigation, or research question. I'm still figuring out how to do that, but one possibility is: "Can a modular FIS tool be created to suit an arbitrary game's development needs, and if so, how useful is it to the development process?" Measurables include: How effective the FIS generated by the project are (do they work); how easy the interface is to use (survey); and how easy the generated plugins/modules are to use in the final game (survey). Things that would be needed to show this include: the tool itself (HTML/JavaScript); and one or more game applications that use the generated plugins, if possible some games that weren't created by me. I may be able to get Dr. King to make the tool available to next year's AI module for MSc students to get some feedback and help them understand FIS controllers, and may also release the tool to the Abertay Game Development Society in return for feedback and use of their game in my dissertation demonstration.

My next task is to research and see if this has been done in any form previously. I'll also need to do general background research into fuzzy controllers  genetic algorithms, writing plugins and tool programming, and user interface design. Once the base research has been done, I'll write my proposal and get started.

While I'm a little concerned that this project may not qualify as research, and more just making something, I'm hoping it can be massaged into meeting the assignment requirements. It is a great combination of my interests, in AI, tool programming, and user interface/interaction. I may be creating something that is immediately useful to fellow students and developers. I'm quite excited and looking forward to developing the idea further.

My UI, Part 1

Hi folks!

Have a bit of a content dry spell, so I thought I'd go over some of the addons I use. Most of these are useful for all classes and roles, but some are specific to healers or to classes I play. I'll note when this is the case.

Arkinventory
Download from: Curse.com, WoWInterface.com

This is one of the most valuable addons I have. Arkinventory is a bag addon which displays all of your bags in one big inventory screen. But it does a heck of a lot more than that too. Other features include:

• Automatic and completely customizable sorting to keep your inventory neat and organized
• Can be applied to bank and guild bank if you choose.
• Memory of bank and guild bank while away from them
• Memory of alternate characters' bags, banks, and guild bank

I can't recommend this addon enough, it's one of the few that I just don't think I could play without.

Auctioneer
Download from: Curse.com, WoWInterface.com

Auctioneer is pretty well known, so I'm not going to go into details here. This addon is essential if you want to make money using the auction house, even if it's just to sell stuff you find. A quick 2 minute scan once a week keep your database updated so you know the market price for any item you might find, and know how much to sell it for. For those who want the more advanced functionality, this suite of addons allows you to be a predator on the auction house, finding deals and selling them for awesome profit.

AutoProfit
Download from: WoWInterface.com

AutoProfit is a very small, lightweight, unobtrusive addon that just makes your life easier. It allows you to sell all the gray items in your inventory with the click of one button, or better yet, automatically when you talk to a vendor. It also allows for exception rules, for the jungle hats and pimp canes you want to save!

BigWigs
Download from: Curse.com, WoWInterface.com
Alternatives: Deadly Boss Mods

BigWigs is one of two mainstream "boss mods" - mods that warn you about important events in boss fights or time enemy abilities. These mods are vital for any raid leader, and even for the raiders themselves. I prefer Bigwigs to DBM, simply because it's been overall more accurate and less buggy for me, but there isn't a big difference. A note from a healer's perspective though: Sometimes all those bars on the screen conflict with my HoT timers. I usually take BigWigs to task and only keep the most vital timers up.

Cartographer
Download from: Curse.com, WoWInterface.com
Alternatives: Atlas

Cartographer is a very heavy, large, map addon. It has maps for all zones and instances in the game, even those which Blizzard does not provide maps for. It supports sharing of guild member positions if those members also have Cartographer, and is pretty customizable.

Chinchilla
Download from: Curse.com, WoWInterface.com
Alternatives: Sexymap, SimpleMinimap

Chinchilla is a mini map addon that allows the mini map to be moved and customized. I used to use Simplminimap, but as far as I know it is no longer being updated. I tried Sexymap, but it was too extravagant for me. So far I have been very satisfied with Chinchilla - it does what it needs to do, and does it simply and well.

ClassTimer
Download from: Curse.com, WoWInterface.com

It took me a long time to find an addon that did exactly this, and not more or less. ClassTimer is exactly what I was looking for as a tree healer. It provides big bars showing how much longer your buffs have on them, is pretty customizable, and has the ability to track buffs on you, your target, your focus, or even all of them on one bar.

Unfortunately there are some serious problems with this addon at the moment that have me searching for an alternative. First, the all in one bar is very glitchy and often the buffs just don't show up. Second, as of patch 3.1, the buffs that other people put on the target ALSO show up. So I see the Lifebloom of every tree in the raid, not just my own, and no distinction between them. This really kills the usefulness of the addon. If anyone knows of a good replacement, please let me know!



That's it for addons for now. I'll do more posts like this in the future, if it seems people like them!