Study out of this world

Virtual worlds and computer games aren’t only for teen cyberjunkies, says Massey University associate professor Erik Champion.

He says computer games have enormous potential and tools to explore and interact with ancient cultures, distant places and inaccessible environments.

The new media lecturer at the design school on the Albany campus is seeking designers to create more New Zealand-themed virtual worlds.

"The challenge is to find new interactive ways to experience things through digital media," he says.

Dr Champion says those worlds will soon become more popular than travelling and book learning and the like.

He says the sites provide access to famous archeological sites and museums around the world.

In his research and teachings he is using new digital tools to create websites and interactive games on the Mayan civilisation, Egyptian gods and an Australian mining town.

Dr Champion has just returned from a Fulbright-funded study trip to the United States where he presented his research on virtual environments at academic institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

- © Fairfax NZ News