Limbitless Solutions, a nonprofit and direct support organization at the University of Central Florida (UCF), received a grant to expand its catalog of video games for users of bionic prostheses. The Epic MegaGrant from Epic Games, the company known for operating Fortnite and developing Unreal Engine, will be used to develop a party-style game to train users to control their prosthetic devices, called Super Bionic Bash.
The initiative, titled “Project Inventor: Bionic Training Games for Children with Limb Differences,” is led by Matt Dombrowski, an associate professor at the university and head of creative arts and media at Limbitless Solutions within UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design; and Peter Smith, PhD, head of game development and training at Limbitless Solutions and associate professor at UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media.
Their training games teach users of prosthetics how to refine their muscle flexes, reducing effort and enabling them to perform multiple gestures with their bionic limbs. The games are designed to be unique and enjoyable with a collaborative gameplay style, making the training process fun and engaging for the users.
Epic’s Unreal Engine, “the world’s most open and advanced real-time 3D tool” according to the company, is used to deliver cutting-edge video games and interactive experiences, and finds application in industries such as film and television, architecture, automotive, manufacturing, and simulation.
“Making a party-style game in Unreal Engine will help the bionic kids both by providing a multiplayer experience that can engage both the kids and their friends and families,” Smith says. “This extra support will add motivation to play. This game style comprises many mini-game experiences that will add variation to the gameplay, improving replayability.
Editor’s note: This story was adapted from materials provided by the University of Central Florida.
