SmallTalk is a visual editor for dialog in computer games. With SmallTalk, script writers and non-programmers can easily create dialog for video games with complex branching structures and dynamic response characteristics.

This project examines how different features of computer games affect user’s psychological responses to violence.

The Mobile Face-to-face augmented reality system allows video of a user’s face to be captured without any intrusive cameras located in front of the face.

The M.I.N.D. Lab is part of a large multi-institution team working to gain a comprehensive, theoretically motivated understanding of deception. An overarching model of deception such as the one envisioned by the research team has the potential to revolutionize technological approaches to detecting deception in real time. Clearly, improvements in this area would be of immediate benefit to national security officials (e.g., airport security), the business community (e.g., job applicant deception), and personal relationships (e.g., spousal infidelity).

This pro-bono project is a collaboration between MSU faculty members and Rwandan mental health professionals; a US-based NGO, Linking Schools; the Kigali Genocide Museum; and Association Mwana Ukundwa (AMU), a Rwandan organization that works with children orphaned by genocide and the resulting HIV-AIDS. Based on a writing workshop model, the project uses narrative writing and visual media for healing among high-school-aged orphan survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Repository for early paper drafts and other short reports

The project studies interaction and presence in urban environments with an emphasis on social construction of presence. Portable environments and interfaces for mixed reality technology are developed based on the research results in various application areas, such as urban design.

The M.I.N.D. Lab is creating a video game to teach inner-city youth about healthy behavior during social and sexual interactions. This group is difficult to reach using traditional modes of communication, so informing them about healthy behaviors like birth control and sexually transmitted disease is a challenge.

FUGA- Fun and Games - focuses on measuring the experience of media enjoyment from computer games and developing emotionally adaptive gaming prototypes. Mobile psychophysiology and fMRI methods are used in the project.

PASION project studies the influence of social awareness technologies on knowledge work performance and multiplayer games in mobile use contexts.

At MedICLab-Spain we are developing a serie of simulators for training industrial procedures. The first developed prototype is a mobile crane simulator that is being used by several spanish companies. Our reserach interest in this project is the development of innovative VR interfaces and validation procedures using presence theories.

Players’ demographic characteristics, likeability of success and behavior patterns (interactive, motivational, addictive, etc.) are investigated within online gaming environments. Cross-cultural data are collected, including comparable results pertaining to the Russian, French, and Chinese communities of online gamers. Patterns of players’ choice of particular games are being investigated.

The use of augmented reality to improve the efficacy of exposure in spider and cockroach phobia and acrophobia.

We have developed and tested the efficacy of VR mood devices for the induction of different emotions: relaxation, sadness, elation, and anxiety and we plan to give a clinical use to these devices (relaxation, treatment of pain).

Study of Presence and Reality Judgment.: Presence and emotions; Evaluation of the sense of presence.

Development and testing of an Internet-based Telepsychology system using virtual reality for the treatment of phobia to little animals (cockroaches, spiders and mice) and to fear of public speaking.

We have developed and tested several immersive VR programs for the treatment of anxiety disorders and eating disorders: Panic disorder and agoraphobia (PDA); Fear of flying; Claustrophobia; Acrophobia; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Body Image in Eating Disorders.