The Ionian University is very pleased to announce the inauguration of HUB:Gamification, a pioneering space dedicated to research, education, and creation in the field of video games. This new facility, located within the Library and Information Center of the Ionian University, marks the beginning of a new era for the academic community and the wider society, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide. The space was visited by the Rector of the Ionian University, Prof. Andreas Floros, who discussed with researchers the opportunities and prospects offered. The equipment of the space includes hardware and software for game development, VR headsets, gaming consoles, cameras of all types, drones, action cameras, 3D printers, laser cutters, projection mapping, green screen filming, holographic displays, a MOOC development station, photo and video editing tools, 360˚ post-production, image and sound editing, and AI programming.
HUB:Gamification, a hub of the HAL – Hub of Art Laboratories program implemented in the Department of Sound and Image Arts of the Ionian University, is the core of a comprehensive approach to the development of the video game sector at the University, combining research, education, and practical application. Through the creation of games incorporating gamified elements and offering in-app purchases, the HUB aims to generate revenue that will be reinvested in supporting research activities and updating equipment, thus enhancing research and innovation in the sector. The location within the Library and Information Center will initially allow the development of an information literacy seminar, which will also be offered as a MOOC, integrating synchronous and asynchronous teaching technologies.
The broader plan for integrating the HUB into the research and creative space of games includes the establishment of an innovative Master’s Program in Game Development utilizing Artificial Intelligence technologies, supportive content development courses for games at KEDIVIM, and the establishment of a Game Institute at the Ionian University. Behind this initiative is Associate Professor Ioannis Deligiannis of the Department of Sound and Image Arts, who provided the equipment secured through research programs he has implemented.
The general strategy of the Ionian University focuses on promoting innovation, interdisciplinarity, and collaboration with industry and other educational institutions, aiming to establish itself as a center of excellence in the video game sector. Through the combination of theoretical knowledge with practical experience and research, the University sets the foundation for developing new talents and advancing scientific knowledge in a field with immense future prospects.
