On 25th November 2017, Abertay University will host a free discussion panel event marking the finale to a year-long programme of 20 Years of Games celebrations, featuring Dave Jones among a group of industry experts who will look back at the achievements of the last two decades and forward at what’s to come. The creator of the original Grand Theft Auto (GTA), Jones has said there is ‘no limit’ to the future prosperity of the videogames sector as he prepares to chart the incredible worldwide impact of the franchise 20 years on from its release.

Jones, who was instrumental in setting up the first games degrees at Abertay University, has offered commentary on the current state of mainstream acceptance of videogames technologies. Himself currently working on virtual reality (VR) title They Came from Space, is set to offer a new cloud-based physics rendering technology through said videogame.

“Initially all games were for kids and because of the technology people weren’t thinking of the graphics and story. But then equilibrium was reached where games became like any other form of entertainment and we now we accept it,” stated Jones in a preview of the upcoming event. “Games touch everybody’s lives and even though we’ve been doing it for what seems like a lifetime I still think we are in the very early days – particularly in terms of technology.”

“We like to think we create these stylised virtual worlds, but in some ways we are still in the stone-age and the limitations of technology can block the ideas we have. Virtual reality has been through a cycle and augmented reality is about to go through a cycle, then there’s streaming and YouTubers.

They Came from Space has been designed with the idea of merging VR and streaming technologies. As can be seen in the video below, the videogame features a unique camera system to allow for direct communication with an audience from inside a VR head-mounted display (HMD).

“There are so many changes that just catch the industry unaware everything three or four years – but that keeps it interesting.

“I see so many things happening in other sectors that are going to have a direct impact on gaming and there are technologies on the periphery of gaming right now that will be absorbed.”

The free Abertay University finale panel – Next Level: A Conversation on the Future of Games – will also feature CEO of Ukie Jo Twist, CEO of Playmob Jude Ower, industry journalist Will Freeman and Computer Arts lecturer Lynn Parker. VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details on Jones’ work in VR.