Virtual worlds at the Children’s University

Computer games are fascinating – and now appeal to people of all ages. On 4 November, 180 children attended the ‘Children’s University’ lecture on ‘Virtual Worlds’ in the main lecture theatre at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences – a new record. And it would certainly come as no surprise if many of their parents are passionate gamers themselves and, whilst watching the live broadcast in the neighbouring lecture theatre, were to recall their own early days in virtual worlds. Admittedly, those days are a world away from what’s possible today, but immersing oneself and playing in alien worlds brings people together.

The team of lecturers also spanned generations: Marc Ritter, Professor of Media Informatics, delivered the lecture alongside his daughter Kara (12), who not only loves playing games but is also following in her father’s (43) footsteps by developing her own games. They started with a bit of theory on (media) computer science, but soon moved on to the world of gaming: almost everyone was familiar with Super Mario and Minecraft, and quite a few had already spent time on the Roblox platform. There, you can develop your own games and play with other users. Kara presented her game ‘The Floor Is Nothing’, showing the children how she had developed it from the initial idea, through the prototype and numerous tests and improvements, right up to the finished game. A rollercoaster ride with 3D glasses helped the children discover what differences still exist between the real and virtual worlds.

Kara was lucky enough to have had the chance to look over the shoulders of her father and his students at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. After all, you can study games in Mittweida, developing your own games or improving driving simulators to such an extent that you forget you’re not actually racing round the Sachsenring in a real racing car.

Of course, the Children’s University at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences will be back again next year – and will be running even more often than before: six events are planned on a wide variety of topics. The first event, on 9 March, is entitled ‘Check, Call, Press – Anyone Can Save a Life’ and focuses on real-life survival. Other topics in 2024 will include artificial intelligence, sustainability and autonomous driving.

Robin Biebl, organiser of the Children’s University at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, is delighted: “It’s really great to see the Children’s University gaining momentum. Dedicated lecturers, a great team behind the scenes and, of course, the many loyal and new young visitors make every lecture an important contribution by the university to society.”