Meet Robin Palmqvist, Software and VR developer at Sigma Technology Systems. Today we talked with Robin about gamification trends and eLearning potential.
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Can you tell us about who you are and what you do?
My Name is Robin, and I am currently creating VR applications using Unity for one of our customers.
What inspired you to be a game developer?
To be honest, I got into the sector on a whim. I have always been interested in technology and games and was experimenting with flash and HTML when they were new, but I later turned my gaze more into the field of arts and culture and was working with that for many years. I was living in Gothenburg and wanted to move to Stockholm and was not sure what I would do there (work/study/else). The game development program at Stockholm University caught my eye, so I signed up. I imagined myself being more interested in the design aspects of game development, but little did I know I would end up loving programming and software development. So that is how I got to where I am today.
What potential does AR & VR have for future game development?
The potential is great. Currently, there is a ratio where console, PC, and mobile games outnumber AR/VR artifacts by quite a lot. But as the XR (extended reality) technology evolves, it becomes more realistic and more available to the public.
We will see a huge increase in the number of AR/VR products that satisfy not only the needs of gamers but also serve other use cases within businesses. Exactly when the “boom” will come is hard to say, but I am certain it will.
Gamification is becoming a buzzword. So what's your view of gamification?
Gamification is a great tool to induce interest, encourage participation and increase the possibility of learning. The only nuance is that many attempts are poorly executed, and while they make the consumer more active in the experience, they often lack the elements that make games fun. I see examples of gamification in schools where it is made as a part of the curriculum. For instance, math apps where there are no elements of fun game mechanics but merely a math problem dressed up in a pretty GUI. If we could see an increase in well-designed gamification, I believe it could be a great asset.
Do you think we will see a boom of gamification in future eLearning?
Most likely. It is easier to apply more practical learning when incorporating technologies such as XR+, covering any knowledge gap, whether theoretical or practical.
Robin Palmqvist
AR/VR developer, gamification expert at Sigma Technology.
