Many people marvel at the newly launched, high-quality Minecraft “virtual guided tour” videos showcasing the campus of Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU). But they don't necessarily know that the videos, which faithfully show almost every nook and cranny of the recently expanded campus, were in fact created by HKMU undergraduates.
Selected team members did this during an internship and had to adapt to work-from-home (WFH) arrangements half-way through the assignment. Their basic method was to set aside up to four hours each day, logging on to the project server simultaneously so they could collaborate. “We were determined not to let the WFH arrangements delay our progress,” says Phoebe Chau. “It took self-discipline, but was also a chance to hone our time management skills.”
The entire creative process was designed to bring the campus to life. It went from the initial mapping and shooting of images to using Minecraft, a video game which lets players build and break blocks in 3D worlds, to vividly recreate every detail. The team was unfazed by the challenges they encountered. “Even though there was a lack of reference materials at times, we took the initiative in learning to use diverse techniques in order to deliver something of professional quality.” says Henry Lo, who focused on developing the initial campus maps and recreating them in a virtual format. He adds that the most vital thing he gained was being able to work effectively as a team online and develop creative solutions together.
Involved mainly in video development, Chau recalls how she took a methodical approach to familiarising herself with Minecraft and handling her assignments. “I'm grateful that my teammates were so generous in providing guidance and sharing their expertise,” she says. “We also engaged in open discussions with our supervisors in both in-person and online meetings and learned to think outside the box.” For Chau, this sense of working towards a common goal made the internship a highly rewarding experience. “I was also able to gain diverse practical work experience and competencies which went beyond what I have studied at university.” she adds. Soft skills are also one of the core competencies mentioned by Ng King Foo, who was responsible for shooting the videos based on the campus maps the team developed. “To achieve realistic yet appealing visual effects for the details, we engaged in numerous discussions which required good communication skills.” Ng says.
