A theoretical approach to the evolution of 3D environments towards extended reality as a medium and game engines as prototyping and configuration elements

Authors

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an unprecedented evolution of information and communication technologies. Technologies to produce interactive content in the field of extended reality are no exception, and there are numerous possibilities for generating immersive experiences with a high degree of interactivity. From a theoretical approach, the article analyzes the role of game engines as tools for the conceptualization of experiences in the field of extended reality, considering their characteristics, and proposing an improvement of the user experience and the immediate possibilities offered by these technologies. To this end, a review of the theoretical approaches of reference authors in game engine research is carried out, compared with the evolution of 3D creation tools and their uses, and the impact and influence on the development of content in the field of extended reality, particularly virtual reality, and the metaverse is projected. The conclusions show the opportunity that this type of tools currently represent in the creation of digital content, and their indispensable role in the generation of experiences within the category of extended reality.

Keywords

Game engines, Extended reality, 3D design, Metaverses, ICT, Digital media

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Author Biographies

José Luis Rubio-Tamayo, Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising. Faculty of Communication of the Rey Juan Carlos University

Professor at the Faculty of Communication of theRey Juan Carlos University. He is also the coordinator of the Aula Agencia of the Faculty of Communication Sciences. He is a doctor from the Complutense University of Madrid, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the same university. He is also a member of the Ciberimaginario research group, having participated in different research projects. He has also taught at other universities, such as UNED or UCM, as well as at the University of Porto and the Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK, Finland), among others. He also has a Master's Degree in Media Engineering from the University of Poitiers (France).

Alejandro Carbonell-Alcocer, Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising. Faculty of Communication of the Rey Juan Carlos University

Predoctoral Research Staff Own Program 2020 (URJC), full-time in the Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising. Member of the Teaching Innovation Group in Communication, Digital Technologies and Open Education and of the consolidated research group Cyberimaginary at the Rey Juan Carlos University. Master's Degree in Teacher Training specializing in processes and audiovisual communication, and a graduate in Audiovisual Communication. Specialized in the planning and development of digital, journalistic, interactive and multimedia communication projects and technical-creative management of national and international research projects.

Manuel Gertrudix, Department of Audiovisual Communication and Advertising. Faculty of Communication of the Rey Juan Carlos University

Professor of Digital Communication at the Rey Juan Carlos University, coordinator of the Ciberimaginario research group, and co-editor of the scientific journal Icono 14. Specialist in communication and digital training, he has been PI of 8 national and international competitive research projects and has participated in more than 20. He has an extensive scientific production with more than 110 publications including research articles, book chapters and monographs. He is the academic director of the Master's degree in journalistic investigation, new narratives, data, fact-checking and transparency of URJC-Fundación Maldita.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33115/udg_bib/cp.v11i23.22828

Published

2022-12-23

How to Cite

Rubio-Tamayo, J. L., Carbonell-Alcocer, A., & Gertrudix, M. (2022). A theoretical approach to the evolution of 3D environments towards extended reality as a medium and game engines as prototyping and configuration elements. Communication Papers. Media Literacy and Gender Studies., 11(23), 61–80. https://doi.org/10.33115/udg_bib/cp.v11i23.22828