Cameron Johnston

Queen Mary University of London

Cam holds an MPhys in Theoretical Physics from the University of Edinburgh, wherein he combined infectious disease models with fluid dynamics to examine the validity of wastewater-based epidemiology as a method of passively monitoring the prevalence of COVID-19 in an urban population.

During his studies, Cam began to learn game development as a way of improving his programming skills, using C++ and the Unreal Engine to develop a number of small projects and compete in game jams.

After completing his MPhys, Cam was eager to take his experience developing physics simulations even further, which lead him to joining the iGGi programme. 

About Cam's Research:

'Impossible physical models' refer to digital models of any physics that differs from what would be experienced in everyday life. This covers 'incorrect' physics (disagreeing with observation but mathematically valid), and unfamiliar physics (that which is physically correct but irrelevant on a human scale). By creating interactive, virtual environments around these models, it becomes possible to experience the impossible.

This research aims to explore the potential of 'impossible physical models' in the context of video games from the perspectives of game design and education. The project explores what work has already been done into this topic, expands on this work, and finds new areas to explore. 

The goal of this research is to introduce new relationships between physics and video games, and to engender developers to explore physics as a tool for design.