Bob Hobbs

P/T Lecturer (Hrly) - Games Design Tech

Digital, Tech, Innovation & Business

I started out in my working life in the mining industry as a mining engineer but later converted to Computer Science subsequent to which I spent several years in the IT industry in various capacities as a Programmer, contractor, Systems Analyst, Business IT consultant and project Manager in the commercial sector , primarily in main frame and what would now be called enterprise development.

It was during this time that, being responsible for the development of factory control and manufacturing systems that I became involved in the development of QA auditing and diagnostic software to facilitate quality control in manufacturing control systems.

I drifted into graphics and AI development for multi-media authoring software. From here it was a short step to becoming interested in virtual reality and video gaming.

Although only working briefly in this environment it became the focus of my teaching on entering the teaching profession. Since 1998 I have been engaged initially with teaching Computer Graphics and AI programming but this has naturally morphed into teaching video games programming and development in the last 6 years or so.

I have been the award leader for Computer Games Programming and some other smaller related awards for the last 5 years and have recently been heavily involved with revamping and refreshing the course for the future.

Professional memberships and activities

  • Founder Member of the Game QA Alliance

Academic qualifications

  • BSc(Hons), MSc, PGCE

Research interests

Emotional and Cognitive AI for games and Robotics, Synthesis of Human Motion, 3D facial and gestural representation, Game Usability and QA, Computer-Aided rehabilitation.

Teaching

Computer Graphics, Video Game Production, Game AI, Game Audio Programming

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021