Output details

Fairy Magic (2012). Design and implementation of an innovative augmented reality iOS application featuring introducing cinematic rendering and interactive narrative. (Inlifesize, 2012).

'Fairy Magic' is an augmented reality application. The research behind it enabled Maguire to bring the quality of characterization, interaction and technology that is usually the reserve of console games and film effects to a mobile device.

Although smartphones present themselves as good candidates for 3D animation for augmented reality, having advanced hardware and OpenGL ES, most applications deliver an inferior experience limiting adoption. The Fairy Magic is a vehicle for research informed innovation and implementation of visual effects to enable a high-end cinematic experience; it used knowledge of cinematic techniques but these were not directly transferrable. Maguire developed, tested and applied new methods that were effectively disseminated in industry. This included integration of user’s environment, interaction with characters, motion blur, 3D realistic character, facial animation, exponentially increased capacity for customised narrative and expanded new audiences.

An Arts Council of Northern Ireland Creative Industry Innovation Fund award supported the development of the research. The outcome was further shared though awards including The Guardian 10 Best iPhone and iPad apps 2012; Irish Technology Leadership Group ‘Fairy Magic’ Best Game, Innovation in Entertainment Summit Hollywood, CA, USA 2012 and The Next Web Pick of the Day.