Simulation Development

About the Project

This project was a self research study about simulating realistic social behaviours of crowds. It took 13 weeks to complete this project, with a mixture of self research and incremental development. The project was developed in unity using a mix of different crowd simulation approaches I found throughout my research. 

Self Research and Documentation

I chose to research crowd simulations because AI was one of my weakest areas of expertise. My goal was to learn how to effectively research unfamiliar topics, enabling me to expand my expertise in new areas. Through this project, I not only gained a solid understanding of crowd simulation fundamentals but also developed essential skills in constructive self-research, enhancing my ability to quickly adapt and acquire new knowledge.

Throughout the development process, we held weekly meetings to evaluate progress and refine our direction. These sessions played a crucial role in breaking the research into manageable, structured categories, each building upon the last. This iterative approach allowed me to progressively deepen my understanding of the subject. Furthermore, it significantly improved my communication skills, as I regularly presented research findings and project updates through clear documentation and dialogue, fostering both clarity and confidence in my ability to convey complex ideas.

Designing and Running Playtests

Playtests were developed and refined continuously throughout the project, and this iterative process taught me valuable skills. Designing an efficient playtest required a deep understanding of how to craft questions that elicit the most insightful and productive feedback. I learned to identify where certain questions fell short in gathering useful information and how to address those gaps by refining or adding complementary questions.

Additionally, I became more attuned to the nuances of question wording, and how it could inadvertently mislead playtesters or introduce biases. This awareness helped me design more neutral, effective surveys and interviews. Another critical aspect I explored was the ethical considerations of each question, ensuring that they were respectful and did not negatively impact the playtesters. Developing this ethical sensitivity is an essential skill when conducting any form of research, as it promotes integrity and protects the well-being of participants.

Evaluating Playtests

This project provided extensive experience in using playtests to evaluate the success of my work and explore future directions. It included the most comprehensive playtest I’ve conducted, which enabled me to assess the effectiveness of my project and identify areas for further investigation. Through this playtest, I uncovered intriguing patterns in how certain changes affect a viewer’s perception of realism. These insights prompted me to shift my research focus toward identifying the most essential features of a crowd simulation and determining which elements were less critical.

The iterative process of playtesting allowed me to fine-tune my project, ensuring it closely aligned with my research goals. Additionally, it provided unexpected insights into aspects of the project I had not previously considered. Ultimately, this process led to a final product that not only delivers the intended experience but also offers valuable perspectives on crowd simulation design.