Travel through the lungs and learn about respiratory medicine while treating a patient in VR. This fun, introductory experience is used at events as a conversation starter for the research done by Bioreme. A large network of branching airways can be explored, ending at the alveoli. During the game, players hold virtual devices to their mouths and physically blow into them to propel medicinal aerosols (such as mucolytics) to clear blocked airways and relax the muscle walls (using a bronchodilator). The game features Foley sound effects, motion capture animation, and voice acting.
Can You See Me Now? is a pioneering Mixed Reality artwork and game of chase. Online players are tracked and chased by real people running around a city using a mobile app. Online players can see the position of the real players as their avatars move via GPS location updates. Runners live stream audio commentary as they play, while online players can message each other. A photo is taken of the spot in the city when players are "caught". I remade the game (originally 2001) with co-programmer John Sear in Unity for iOS and Android phones - complete with avatars, geolocated buildings, GPS tracking, and a multiplayer system with voice and text chat. Admin can manage sessions and players, and live stream the game.
Android and iOS Download Played at the Blast Theory Kickstarter event, and the ACCA, Brighton.
The Glimmer is an interactive dance installation created with Artist Sian Fan. Inspired by manga transformation sequences, it allows players to strike dance moves which trigger sounds and animation. The project uses Kinect skeletal tracking systems to analyse peoples body movements and respond to them. I provided the underlying code to make Sian's visual imagery come to life.
Shown at the Cute exhibition at Somerset House, London.
Ben Neal is an Arts-focused Creative Technologist and has worked freelance for over 20 years as Psicon Lab (pronounced "Sy-Kon Lab"). He collaborates with creative people who want to use technology, and brings their ideas to life.
He also co-runs Displace Studio an immersive Mixed Reality performance studio with co-lead Kerryn Wise. Their best known project is a VR experience called Facades which has toured internationally.