Marios Bikos
VR Developer
at Framestore
Research & Projects
Interests
- Mixed Reality
- 3D User Interfaces
- Computer Vision
- Visual Computing
- Game Development
- HCI
Projects
Project Title: Fantastic Beasts and Magic Leap
Year: 2018
Company: Framestore
Programming Languages: C++
Libraries/APIs: Unreal Engine, Magic LeapSummary
I led development for the accompanying AR Experience to Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald presented at the flagship AT&T Store in Chicago and ported it to VR as well. This allowed me to gain experience on how to use the Magic Leap device and code applications for it.
Project Title: VW Touareg Hyper Reality Test Drive
Year: 2018
Company: Framestore
Client: VW China Import
Programming Languages: C++
Libraries/APIs: Unreal EngineSummary
Framestore built on its aptitude for groundbreaking experiential content to develop the world’s first live VR test drive experience. In this project had the chance to work on the Character Animation System for the driver in Unreal (Montages/Notifies/IK/AnimGraph). Also, I Implemented tools for easier manipulation of spline points, skipping between different parts of the simulation and quicker changes of meshes in Unreal.
Project Title: A Moon for All Mankind
Year: 2018
Company: Framestore
Client: IRIS & Samsung
Programming Languages: C#, C++
Libraries/APIs: Unity3D, QtSummary
Framestore proudly joined Samsung’s mission to bring space travel to all, developing the world’s first lunar gravity simulation VR experience. When I joined Framestore the project was almost complete. Nevertheless, I implemented an OSIG Injector GUI tool to allow installation of the experience on new devices without the need for a new build to be provided. I used Qt and C++. I also worked on the optimization of the application.
Project Title: Unannounced Project
Year: 2016-2018
Company: Electric Square
Client: Microsoft Studios
Programming Languages: C#, C++
Libraries/APIs: Unity3D, Unreal Engine
Tools: PerforceSummary
This is an unannounced project. I had the chance to work on this project for 20 months and gain experience working in all phases of game development, from feature design & implementation to bug-fixing and optimization. My role mainly involved working on the UI screen-flow system and the implementation of extensible and tunable ‘meta’ game features, such as progression and reward systems that drive engagement.
Project Title: Virtual Reality for the Study of Moral Dilemmas involving Driverless Cars
Academic Year: 2015-2016
Advisors: PhD Student Jacob Thorn, Prof. Mel Slater
Programming Languages: C#
Libraries/APIs: Unity3D, OptiTrack, Oculus RiftAbstract
Exploiting the fact that people tend to respond realistically during situations recreated using immersive virtual reality technology, in this thesis, a pilot study was conducted in order to get an insight on how people evaluate the morality of decisions a driverless car should inevitably make in moral dilemma scenarios. A virtual reality simulation was designed and developed, through which users were able to fully experience a moral dilemma leading to an accident, as the passengers of a virtual autonomous vehicle.
Project Title: SlalomPenguin-VR: A Game Interface for Locomotion in VR Environments
Academic Year: 2015-2016
Advisors: Anthony Steed, David Swapp
Grade: A+
Programming Languages: C#
Libraries/APIs: MiddleVR, Unity3DAbstract
A motion interface which requires self-propulsion from the user is known as a locomotion interface and is the means by which a user travels through a virtual environment (VE). In this project , a locomotion technique from literature called: “PenguFly” was selected, implemented and further improved adding the feature of rotation of the view based on where user looks at. The effectiveness of our locomotion interface is demonstrated through an immersive environment of the well known alpine-skiing sport, that was constructed for this purpose, from scratch, using the Unity3D game engine. The evaluation results indicate that the technique is easy-to-use and enjoyable.
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Project Title: Dynamic Simulation of Virtual Objects for Augmented Reality Applications. Development of an Augmented Reality Chess.
Academic Year: 2014-2015
Advisor: K.Moustakas ,
TUM Supervisors: Yuta Itoh, Gudrun Klinker
Grade: 10/10
Programming Language: C/C++
Libraries/APIs: OpenGL, OpenCV, Intel RealSense, ArUco, Qt, GLMAbstract
In order to produce realistic mixed reality simulations and enhance immersion in augmented reality systems, solutions must not only present a realistic visual rendering of the virtual objects, but also allow natural hand interactions. The main goal of this Thesis is to utilize and introduce advanced techniques for the superimposition and manipulation of virtual objects over the view of the real world for mixed reality simulations. In this work, a modern RGB-Depth sensor was used and a pinch gesture detection algorithm was implemented, employing user’s thumb and forefinger to interact with the virtual content. Ultimately, a Mixed Reality Chess was developed, focused on providing an immersive experience to users, so that they are able to manipulate virtual chess pieces in front of a real table and play against a chess engine.
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Project Title: Isotropic Remeshing of Surfaces Based on Parameterisation
Teammates: Zhe Cao
Academic Year: 2015-2016
Advisor: Niloy Mitra
Grade: 83%
Programming Languages: C/C++
Libraries/APIs: OpenGL, CGALAbstract
In digital geometry processing, remeshing is considered a fundamental part in order to improve the quality of a simplified mesh after the scanning of a 3D object. In this project, we were asked to write code in order to implement basic remeshing algorithms which will approximate the original model while improving the triangle properties. The method we used is based on a sequence of local modifications performed on a copy of initial mesh. The general idea is that we relocate all the vertices in parameterisation domain via a weighted Centroidal Voronoi Tessellation (WCVT) and then we calculate the new 3D positions based on the initial mesh geometry (triangulation).
Course: Acquisition & Processing of 3D Geometry
Academic Year: 2015-2016
Term: 2
Instructor: N. Mitra
Programming Language: C/C++
Libraries/APIs: Eigen, LibANN, GLFW, OpenGLThe Iterative Closest Point algorithm is a general purpose algorithm intended to match various geometrical primitives. In this assignment, the 3D ICP algorithm was implemented, as well as some of its variants, affecting the speed/accuracy. We use the algorithm to match multiple scanned point cloud set versions (from different degrees 0,45,90,135,..) of the famous Stanford Bunny Model. The algorithm is utilized, in order to move a model M2 (45 degrees) towards model M1 (0 degrees) by estimating the optimal transformation (output of ICP). The results are visualized for better understanding of the registration.
Course: Acquisition & Processing of 3D Geometry
Academic Year: 2015-2016
Term: 2
Instructor: N. Mitra
Programming Language: C/C++
Libraries/APIs: Eigen, LibANN, GLFW, OpenGLAfter scanning a 3D object, noise of data acquired may cause problems. That is why, we need algorithms which will remove noise while preserving the main characteristics of the object scanned. In the first part of this coursework, we were asked to write code in order to acquire useful features of 3D models such as mean curvature, gaussian curvature and principal curvatures, while in the second part we implement explicit and implicit mesh denoising.
Title: Light Source Estimation using an RGB-D Sensor for Augmented Reality Applications
Course: Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality
Academic Year: 2013-2014
Semester: 9th
Instructor: K.Moustakas
Programming Language: C/C++
Libraries/APIs: PCL, OpenNI, OpenGL
Github CodeAbstract
Developed algorithms to estimate the position of a Point Light Source in a scene using Kinect and Point Cloud Library based on code developed by by Zhongshi (Sam) Jiang and Shayan Rezvankhah.
Title: Kinect Augmented Reality Game: “AvengeRs”
Year: 2013
Programming Languages: C#
Libraries/APIs: Kinect SDKAbstract
An Augmented Reality Game implemented using Kinect SDK and Microsoft’s Kinect Sensor. Kinect recognizes player’s skeleton and turns him into his favorite Avenger(Hulk,Iron Man,Thor or Captain America). Each Avenger has different weapons and abilities as well as different enemies to destroy.
Title: 2D & 3D Convex Hulls, Distance Maps and Collision Detection
Course: Computational Geometry & 3D Modeling Applications
Academic Year: 2012-2013
Semester: 8th
Instructor: K.Moustakas
Grade: 9/10
Programming Language: C/C++
Libraries/APIs: OpenGL, GeoLib, MathGeoLibAbstract
A project which presents a solution to the implementation of 2D and 3D Convex Hulls as well as the implementation of distance maps and Sphere-Polyhedron Collision Detection.
Title: OpenGL Horse Racing
Course: Computer Graphics Lab
Academic Year: 2013-2014
Semester: 9th
Instructor: K.Moustakas
Programming Language: C/C++
Libraries/APIs: OpenGLAbstract
An OpenGL program which simulates a horse race using basic openGL primitives. By pressing F1 horses start running on a random speed passing each other.
Title:Game: “Don Quixote’s Saga”
Event: Global Game Jam 2014 at Patras
Programming Languages: HTML, Javascript
Libraries/APIs: EnchantJS FrameworkTeam Members
- Marios Bikos (Programmer)
- Spyros Tsirintanis (Sound Designer/Composer)
- Spyros Mintzas (Graphics Designer)Abstract
Abstract
A videogame featuring Don Quixote, a farmer obsessed with the chivalrous ideals touted in books he has read, who decides to take up his lance and sword to defend the helpless and destroy the wicked. In this videogame the player must hit the giants that come towards him with his throwing spears.When a giant is hit 3 times, he turns into a windmill. If a player comes in contact with a giant or a windmill he loses one life. The game is over when the player loses all 3 lives. Player can get the pink candies that come towards him randomly and hurl three spears simultaneously for a limited time. The game is optimized for Smartphones and Tablets.
Check out out more details: Global Game Jam 2014 Entry
Title: 2-D Web-based Game as a Website for an Indie Game Development Studio
Course: Internet Programming Lab
Academic Year: 2013-2014
Semester: 9th
Instructor:P. Stathopoulou, M.Koukias
Fellow Team Member: Chris Tsekes
Grade: 10/10
Programming Languages: Javascript, HTML, CSS
Tools/Software: Tiled Map Editor
Libraries/APIs: EnchantJSAbstract
Development of a 2-D Web-based Game which can be used as a website for an Indie Game Dev. Studio.We created this gamified website as an example of how a game development studio like Flipped Horizons can attract more visitors and engage users. Visitors can wander around and discover more about this Gaming company as well as interact with the environment.