Among its robust range of computer graphics programming, SIGGRAPH 2017 — running July 30 to August 3 in Los Angeles — will include a focus on the art and technology of games. The achievements are presented in sessions and demonstrations throughout the conference week, and showcase of visionaries and pioneers of the industry that will have their chance to shine include advances in real-time rendering, runtime animation synthesis, asset creation, and much more.
Some of the games-related highlights to be found across the conference and exhibition are: DeepLoco: Dynamic Locomotion Skills Using Hierarchical Deep Reinforcement Learning (in Technical Papers program), a look at the production and AI processes of Computer Animation Festival selection Final Fantasy XV – “Omen” Trailer (Talks), Blizzard Entertainment Presents: The Making of the Overwatch Animated Shorts (Production Sessions), a focus on Niantic’s smash hit with Evolution of AR in Pokemon GO (Talks), and a virtual walk-around of Michelangelo’s David (“Il Gigante,” VR Village).
This year’s event is also introducing a VR Graffiti Wall where attendees can make their virtual mark using the spray-paint game Ghost Paint, and the inaugural VR Film Jam wherein two teams will translate their animated student shorts — The Moon Is Essentially Gray (SVA) and Trouble Brewing (Cogswell College) — into VR experiences under expert guidance from Epic Games.
SIGGRAPH ‘17 will also shine a light on developments in the mobile app realm, including powerful new graphic techniques, game production for handheld devices, and methods of content creation. Interested parties shouldn’t miss The Future of Mobile VR Graphics & Gaming Panel with experts from ARM, Google, Qualcomm, Unity Technologies, and Virtual Arts Limited, moderated by Ryan Shrout of Shrout Research.
Another key staple of the event’s Mobile focus is the 2017 Appy Hour “techno-social” celebration of the latest amazing apps. This year’s 10 piece sampler includes Expresii Watercolor, FlexR: Control Technology With Your Muscle, infltr: Infinite Filters, Mobile Image Stylization Combining Neural Style Transfer and Filtering, Oblique: A New Way to Photograph, Pete and The Orange Fox and Snaptric: Perfect Group Selfie and Group Shot.
