In this areas we focus on the intersections of computers & interactive media with performance, story, & game. We study and build virtual worlds, mixed reality experiences, responsive installations, intermedia performances, interactive fiction and games. In these various interactive environments we are interested in questions of agency for both real and virtual actors : How can we create compelling artificial characters? How is human identity affected by mediated contexts? What of cyberbodies?

DMS Faculty in this area are:
• Josephine Anstey (josephineanstey.com)
• Dave Pape (resumbrae.com)

Research and Collaborations:

• The Intermedia Performance Studio (ips.buffalo.edu)
  Our intermedia performance productions are collaborations with faculty and students in Theater & Dance and in Computer Science & Engineering.
• Emerging Practices (emergingpractices.buffalo.edu)
  We are faculty for the MFA concentration in Emerging Practices, a joint effort between the departments of Visual Studies and Media Study.
• Game Studies (mediastudy.buffalo.edu/ugrad_gamestudies.php)
  The Undergraduate Certificate in Game Studies is a joint effort between the departments of Visual Studies and Media Study.
• VR Studio (vrstudio.buffalo.edu)
  In 2000 we a built a low-cost Virtual Reality system at UB for the development of immersive VR projects. Since 2007/8 we have used this equipment in our Intermedia Performance productions. Archived information about the VR studio, student and faculty projects and shows are available at this link.