Thesis Concept Analysis

My primary deliverable was an anlysis of the concept that I am considering for my thesis. Below are the primary goals or objectives of my thesis at this time.

1. Develop a specialty to a professional level.
2. Maximize the content and interactivity of virtual environments (In the form of guidelines for maximum content based on hardware limitations that could be applied to varying production cycles to perhaps give an indication of the level of content that will be provided by an individual project).
3. Develop environment content by perhaps integrating database functionality or use within a particular 3D engine that could employ dynamic capabilities to increase the interactivity, level of detail, and sense of realism in a 3D environment by producing dynamic content that has dynamic attributes. The intent would be further extend a players experience by allowing the imagination to explore beyond traditional barriers and limitations.

After reviewing my ideas and concepts for the game concept of 'Soul Windows', I am comfortable in saying that it provides ample working ground for my thesis. Since the focus of my thesis will focus primarily on the level of detail of the environment, I will suspend work on the character development and begin developing a preliminary environment for the thesis. As part of my development plan, I will begin creating models using high detail with respect polygon count and texturing. My first order of business will be to become proficient enough with normal mapping to utilize that process on 'all' models that I create. While I am developing that skill, I will map out and design the environment that will be the basis for the models that I create.

As a tangent, although I believe it is directly related to what I am trying to accomplish, I want to experiment with the limitations of creating realistic liquid effects. If possible, I would like to find a way to implement realistic liquid effects within a game engine. Currently, the majority of effects are illusions, psuedo-models, or otherwise tricks to produce liquid elements. This is ultimately a fourth objective of my thesis.

Finally, in summary, I have identified what it is that I want to do. I believe that I have identified a vehicle or idea to serve as the working space to accomplish my objective. However, I am not sure the scope of my project is appropriate at this point. I am comfortable proceding with what I have, but I may limit my focus if I find my rate of progression is not what I hope it will be.