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Mariam Dholkawala
Metaverse | Extended Reality (VR, AR, MR) | Games | Women in Games Ambassador
Mariam Dholkawala is an experienced professional in the gaming and extended reality (XR) industry. She currently works in the field of Metaverse and Games at Tata Consultancy Services.2 With over 18 years of experience in gaming, Mariam has established herself as an extended reality (XR) developer with a strong background in game development.2
Professional Background
Mariam's expertise spans various aspects of the gaming and XR industry:
- Extended Reality Development: She specializes in XR technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).2
- Game Development: Her extensive experience in the gaming industry has given her a solid foundation in creating interactive experiences.
- Programming Skills: Mariam has recently been working with UEFN's Verse programming language, which she finds to be an excellent tool for creating custom gameplay in Fortnite.1
Recent Activities and Achievements
- Women in Games Ambassador: Mariam recently became a Women in Games Ambassador, aiming to champion diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry.5
- Unreal Fellowship: She participated in the Unreal Fellowship - Games Program (EMEA), describing it as an incredible experience with a steep learning curve.3
- UEFN and Verse Programming: Mariam has been exploring UEFN's Verse programming language, praising its multi-paradigm nature and ease of use for creating custom gameplay in Fortnite.1
Personal Interests
Beyond her professional pursuits, Mariam is:
- An Avid Traveler: She has expressed interest in integrating her passion for travel with her work in technology.4
- Continuous Learner: Mariam enjoys learning new technologies and building projects with her acquired knowledge.1
Mariam Dholkawala's LinkedIn profile (username: mariamdh) reflects her extensive experience and ongoing involvement in the gaming and XR industries, showcasing her as a dedicated professional continuously exploring new technologies and opportunities in these fields.
Highlights
The integration of scents into digital media can offer a whole new dimension of immersion by engaging the players' senses in a holistic way.
VR experiences already provide users with a heightened level of engagement by using 6DOF visuals, spatial sounds, and haptics, engaging the sight, hearing, and touch senses of humans. The addition of scent can introduce a new layer of sensory stimulation, enhancing the overall experience and potentially creating a truly immersive 4D environment.
I recently read about a new AI-powered device called GameScent that aims to create an innovative approach to gaming by tapping into the power of olfactory perception. This device can be connected to various consoles (a VR adapter in the future) with the cartridges of scents being scaled and modified for various scenarios. The device automatically releases scents based on what’s happening in the game.
Scents have a profound impact on our memories and emotions, often evoking vivid recollections of past experiences. Businesses have also long recognized the influence of scent in shaping consumer perceptions and brand experiences. The use of signature scents in retail or hospitality, for example, has been shown to enhance brand loyalty. Similarly, in the context of gaming, the strategic use of scent can differentiate titles and leave a lasting impression on players, contributing to increased engagement and enjoyment.
It'll be interesting to see how this tech evolves with time. The use of scents can prove to be something which players adapt to very well or detract from.
https://gamescent.com/
Being an avid traveler, I recently thought of seeking ways to integrate my passion for travel with my love for building and working with technology.
Copilot emerged as one of the trusted friends in this search, helping me break down and refine my travel with the power of AI. I put Copilot to test by utilizing its vacation planner feature to map out a holiday to Dharamshala, a town in Himachal Pradesh.
Much like a traditional holiday planner, it prompted me with questions regarding the timing of my trip, my stay duration, budget preferences, who I am travelling with, and my preferred activities.
And to my surprise, Copilot delivered an impressively accurate itinerary complete with flight schedules and hotel recommendations with prices based on my budget, aligning it seamlessly with what I would have prepared for myself after a lot of research.
It's experiences like these that makes me think how AI can make life easier by saving hours of research time. Through continuous interaction with AI, I’ve come to realize the importance of accepting, learning and integrating AI into my life. With AI evolving rapidly, failing to adapt to this ever-changing field could potentially leave us lagging behind in the near future.
