First created as a board game by veteran games designer and longtime 四虎影视 collaborator Pam Formato, Permutations is a sort of 鈥淐onnect Four with math.鈥� And 四虎影视 Virtual Reality Development faculty member Justin Gast is now bringing it to phones everywhere.

Gast worked with his partner, fellow designer Sumin Shim, to create a digital version of the game that recreates the original鈥檚 鈥渁ddictive鈥� qualities.

“It looked like a simple board game you would play with your parents,鈥� Gast said. 鈥淏ut I brought it back to my partner to try it out, and we stayed up until midnight playing it. That night, we knew we had to work on it.”

Game play begins on a grid numbered 1 through 60. Players roll dice and incorporate the resulting numbers into a math problem. They鈥檙e awarded the square on the board that corresponds to the answer to their problem (provided it鈥檚 open). The goal is to be the first player to string together a line of four squares. (There are, of course, additional wrinkles.)

鈥淭he game has been used for education, competition, and leisure for years, and it was one of Pam’s favorites,鈥� Gast said. 鈥淚 only had to play it once, and I immediately understood the appeal. It is one of those 鈥榃ordle-type鈥� games that are fun to play for short sessions and always revisit. It is a great mental exercise, especially for an older demographic鈥斺�榶oga for the brain,鈥� if you will.鈥�

Gast and Shim initially researched other physical-to-digital board game transitions, including classics like chess and Yahtzee. Their first instincts were to incorporate flashy animation and unusual interfaces.

鈥淗owever, [Pam] quickly pointed out that while some of the more experimental flows appealed to younger players, they were less intuitive for older audiences,鈥� Shim said. 鈥淏esides, we didn’t have to compete with 20-plus other chess games by using some obscure interface. Permutations was a unique game by itself! That insight led us to stay faithful to the simplicity of the original board game and focus instead on making the digital experience feel clear and natural.鈥�

Permutations is already available on the Apple App Store and is currently being beta tested for Android devices. So far, the response has been enthusiastic.

鈥淚 have already gotten one of my students addicted!鈥� Gast said with a laugh.

You can find it on and .

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What is MIT Reality Hack?

MIT Reality Hack is an international XR (extended reality) hackathon held on MIT’s campus that brings together students, engineers, designers, researchers, musicians, and artists to build immersive experiences from scratch in under 72 hours. Teams form largely through networking, which means participants have to walk into a room full of strangers and figure out how to build something meaningful together鈥攆ast.

This year’s event ran January 22鈥�26, 2026, but Mother Nature had other plans: Winter Storm Fern forced the closing ceremony to go virtual. Despite the disruption, Ringling’s crew didn’t skip a beat.

The Ringling Crew

Seven members of the college made the trip:

• Martin Murphy 鈥� VRD department head, attending as a judge
• Justin Gast 鈥� VRD faculty, attending as a mentor
• Vida Villanueva 鈥� 4th year VRD Student, Reality Hack Scholar
• Hyesoo Koh 鈥� 4th year VRD Student
• Linda He 鈥� 4th year VRD Student
• Jimmy Tong 鈥� 4th Year VRD Student
• Natasha Patel 鈥� 3rd Year VRD Student

Junior Ang Barilla, a VRD Tech Tutor, also made the trip as a volunteer.

The students’ attendance was made possible through the generosity of Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth, whose financial support ensured that cost wasn’t a barrier to participation.

The Projects

The Ringling students went in different directions with their hacks. Their projects ranged from a personal AI companion called Power Pet to apps exploring social issues, called SafeSight and Sunbeam.

But it was JazzCasters that took home hardware.

JazzCasters鈥攁 music-driven, hand-tracking XR experience built in Unity for Meta Quest 3鈥攅arned the Meta sponsor track award for Best Implementation of Hand Tracking on Meta Quest.

Vida Villanueva 鈥�26, Virtual Reality Development, served as the project’s lead artist, creating 3D assets, visuals, and UI. Her interdisciplinary team included a software engineer, project manager, audio specialist, and hardware engineer鈥攁 collaboration she described as one of the most meaningful parts of the whole experience.

“What stood out most to me was the diversity of skill sets and perspectives within my team and across the hackathon as a whole,” Villanueva said. “Our team included people with backgrounds I wouldn’t normally have the chance to collaborate with in a classroom setting, and that variety made the project stronger.”

Villanueva attended as a Reality Hack Scholar, a program designed to expand access and lower financial barriers for participants from diverse backgrounds. As President of Ringling’s VR Club, she also made it a point to actively recruit other students to apply.

“While the award was exciting, it really felt like a celebration of teamwork, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the environment MIT Reality Hack creates to support experimentation and inclusion,” she said.

For the faculty who made the trip, the experience was just as validating.

Virtual Reality Development faculty member Justin Gast called it “an incredible experience,” noting that the opportunity to network with so many like-minded professionals was “inspirational and a joy.” He was also struck by how differently each student approached the challenge鈥攁 sign of genuine creative range.

Game Art and Virtual Reality Development Department Head Marty Murphy described what the weekend meant for the program as a whole.

“MIT Reality Hack was a powerful confidence check for me as a department head and a clear signal that we have arrived as an experiential technology major,” Murphy said. “Even amid the challenges of Winter Storm Fern, our students held their own alongside teams from MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, and USC, often as the only designers in the room.”

He added: “They engaged confidently, brought a strong design perspective into highly technical conversations, and ultimately proved they can compete and win at the highest level.”

Ringling students showed up, showed out, and showed the broader XR world that great design thinking belongs at every table鈥攊ncluding the most competitive ones.

As Villanueva put it: “MIT Reality Hack was not just about building a project鈥攊t was about learning from others, forming lasting connections, and seeing how communities like Ringling’s fit into the broader XR ecosystem.”

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The certificate program offers a comprehensive introduction to the rapidly evolving field of virtual production, bridging the gap between conventional film production practices and advanced digital workflows. Through direct engagement with state-of-the-art LED wall technology, real-time rendering, and virtual production pipelines, students are prepared for emerging roles in the entertainment industry.

On December 3, we visited the class to observe students actively working on projects inside the soundstages. Throughout the day, students filmed scenes in front of large LED screens displaying virtual environments developed during the course, demonstrating how virtual environments can be seamlessly integrated into live-action filmmaking.

The Virtual Production I course is co-taught by Virtual Reality Development Faculty Ana Carolina Pereira and Film Faculty Mark Parry and is taught on the soundstages. The introductory course brings together students from multiple departments, ensuring that all participants鈥攔egardless of their academic background鈥攍earn both cinematic and real-time 3D workflows side by side. The curriculum covers the virtual production pipeline, including environment assembly, display configuration, and filming techniques specific to LED walls.

Collaboration is a central focus of the course. Students work together to develop a shared technical and creative language across disciplines while learning essential tools and workflows. The class culminates in individual projects where students design, operate, and film their own virtual production scenes from start to finish.

鈥淔or me, getting the chance to take this class and learn hands-on has been so helpful,鈥� said Danny Connolly 鈥�26, Film. 鈥淲e get to work from start to finish on designing scenes, putting them on the LED wall, and finally shooting and editing the scenes on set. I really feel ready to go into the industry with all the knowledge and experience I鈥檝e gotten from class.鈥�

Upon completing the Virtual Production Certificate, students demonstrate technical proficiency in real-time rendering, LED wall operation, and camera tracking; apply artistic decision-making that enhances storytelling and visual quality; and perform effectively in collaborative crew roles within professional virtual production environments.

The nine-credit certificate includes Virtual Production I and Virtual Production II, along with either a Film Internship or the Virtual Post-Production class. Together, these courses provide a focused pathway for students seeking practical experience and industry-relevant skills in virtual production.

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Faculty in the Virtual Reality Development program are preparing new coursework and collaborative projects within their Topics classes. These initiatives will empower students to explore spatial computing using Apple Vision Pro as a storytelling, interaction, and design platform.

While Ringling students in the program already develop immersive experiences that serve a variety of industry sectors, plans are underway to collaborate with regional partners to create real-world experiential learning projects in healthcare, architecture, and location-based entertainment. The introduction of Apple Vision Pro will expand students鈥� fluency in designing and understanding the unique affordances of each case.

鈥淭his initiative is more than just an introduction to a new platform,鈥� said Martin Murphy, Department Head of Virtual Reality Development (VRD). 鈥淚t is an opportunity for our students to work at the leading edge of design and technology, which is a key student learning outcome for the VRD major. We are building the kind of platform fluency and creative problem-solving that employers value. We鈥檙e excited about the possibilities Apple Vision Pro and spatial computing open up for student learning, regional partnerships, and future careers in immersive media.鈥�

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The symposium featured a diverse mix of clinical research, elite sports training, and design innovation, with presentations spanning football, baseball, cricket, tennis, track and field, fencing, and martial arts. These sessions emphasized the expanding role of immersive tools across both high-performance athletics and general wellness applications.

Clinical and Sports Vision Highlights

One of the most compelling sessions focused on professional baseball and the Tampa Bay Rays, featuring insights from both a vision performance expert and Dr. Vishnu Sarpeshkar, Coordinator of Vision Science within the Rays鈥� Baseball Performance Science team. He shared strategies for enhancing performance and decision making using immersive tools such as Win Reality (a product touched by a Ringling alum). Dr. Sarpeshkar emphasized the need for more evidence-based evaluation of these platforms. The session highlighted how VR is being applied not just for reaction time and training, but also for assessing neurocognitive readiness. 

Another standout presentation came from Dr. Glenn Gaston, Chief of Hand Surgery at Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, who shared advances in pain management and rehabilitation for amputees. His work demonstrated how virtual reality is being used to support phantom limb therapy to reduce pain symptoms, pre- and post-operative care, and patient motivation throughout recovery.

Leading Academic Institutions Included:

• Arizona State University with research on XR and machine learning in martial arts
• University of New Hampshire with studies in VR-based balance testing and cognitive-motor interference
• MIT.nano Immersion Lab with XR-enhanced fencing and neuromotor tracking
• Kessler Foundation with VR cycling and cognition studies for individuals with multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury

Medical and Athletic Performance Partners:

• David Kupping (Australia) on tennis injury prevention using VR-enhanced warm-up routines, which could be helpful to pickleball enthusiasts
• NFL Alumni Association CEO Brad Edwards shared insights from his NFL career and highlighted the role of VR in quarterback Jayden Daniels鈥� breakout season
• XRWorkout with ADHD-focused VR fitness development and strategies for FDA approval
• Dr. Richard S. Hart on Formula 1 surgery, stress inoculation, and high-performance team training

Looking Ahead

The 2025 symposium marked a culminating moment in the adoption of immersive tools in elite sports training and clinical care. From injury prevention and pain management to cognitive readiness and mental wellness, the event showcased the potential of immersive technology to support healthier, more resilient individuals across many fields.

鈥淭his symposium showcased exactly why immersive design is no longer niche; it is essential,鈥� said Martin Murphy, department head of Virtual Reality Development and Game Art at 四虎影视.

鈥淥ur students are entering a workforce where the ability to build interactive, spatial experiences applies not only to entertainment but also to healthcare, sports, and human performance. Events like this open the door for collaboration and highlight the growing demand for creative technologists who can turn real-world challenges into immersive solutions.鈥�

四虎影视 is honored to support this growing area of research and looks forward to supporting next year鈥檚 Virtual Reality in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Symposium.

For more information, visit the website. 

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The event recognizes leaders who are advancing immersive technology through innovation, creative leadership, and social impact.

As President of the 四虎影视 XR Women Student Chapter, Watts helped facilitate the XR Women Thrive in 2025, which included networking events, an exhibition, workshops, a speaker panel, and opportunities for XR, VR, and AR experiences, earning the recognition for which she was celebrated. 

During the AWE Award event, Vida Villanueva 鈥�26, Virtual Reality Development, was announced as the incoming President of the 四虎影视 XR Women Student Chapter.

Read more about the event at .

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Growing up just outside of Los Angeles, Watts began studying fine arts as a child. But in high school, digital art gave her a new drive to connect with people.

鈥淎s I developed, I found myself wanting to create deeper connections with viewers鈥攏ot just having them see my work, but truly experience it,鈥� she said. Immersive experiences were the logical next step. 鈥淚 realized art could transcend mere aesthetics and become a powerful tool to help people and industries through both technology and the arts.鈥�

Her 四虎影视 journey through Virtual Reality Development has expanded her artistic horizons even further. In addition to gaming applications, Watts has had opportunities to work in a variety of industries, including the medical sector and the Department of Defense. After graduation, she plans to continue to build on the connections she鈥檚 made as a student, moving back to southern California to further the relationships between technology/simulation and the wider world.

鈥淚 constantly push my work to evolve and create varied emotional and intellectual responses from viewers,鈥� she said.

Watts鈥� senior thesis project, which is on view until May 9 in the Verman Kimbrough Building, room 210, involves an immersive driving game created in collaboration with fellow graduating VRD senior Jason Zarrilli for the Talon Simulations LLC motion platform simulator. Players take on the role of a rookie smuggler navigating a neon city, picking up and delivering goods while racing against time and avoiding damage to maintain their cover. The goal is to complete all deliveries to earn “top dog” status. The two won bronze at Best of Ringling for their collaboration.

Added Watts, 鈥淚f you enjoy rollercoasters and go-karts, you’d be the perfect player for our high-energy experience!鈥�

Watts was also a member of the first-ever XR Women student chapter here at 四虎影视. She was present for the chapter’s official announcement during the Augmented World Expo (AWE) in Long Beach, California, last year.

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Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth Endowed Department Head of Virtual Reality Development Program Marty Murphy explained the impact hosting the event has on the College and students: 

鈥淭he Global Healthcare Symposium at 四虎影视 brought together thought leaders, technologists, and healthcare innovators to explore the future of patient care. Hosting this event is helping Ringling to foster cross-industry collaborations with major players in the healthcare space and inspired the next generation of creators to think beyond entertainment and apply immersive technology to solve critical real-world challenges.鈥�

The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, President of the University of Nebraska System, who is a nationally recognized higher education and healthcare leader. Dr. Gold was joined by  a number of notable presenters including:

• Dr. Brennan Spiegel, Director of Health Services Research, Cedars-Sinai Health System an Onalytica 鈥淭op 100 Influencer鈥� for health technology.
• Dr. Mark S. Cohen, Dean, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the world鈥檚 first engineering-based medical school.
• Dr. Kosj Yamoah, Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology with a secondary appointment in the Cancer Epidemiology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center.

Sessions covered a range of topics, with a strong focus on the rapidly evolving use of AI in Healthcare. The talks covered topics such as enhancing nursing curriculum using VR and AI-enabled patients, delivering Mental Healthcare Using AI and Virtual Reality, supporting remote therapy, Augmented and Virtual Reality for procedural and surgical training, Eye-Tracking, and AI For Medical Tasks In Virtual Reality.

Building on the success of this event, 四虎影视 is excited to host the next IVRHA Healthcare Symposium focused on Sports Medicine and Exercise Science on June 5-6, 2025. This inaugural symposium will bring together experts in sports medicine, rehabilitation, biomechanics, and immersive technology.

Interested in attending? Registration is now open! Do you have research, case studies, or innovative applications to share? The call for proposals is still open! Learn more on the 飞别产蝉颈迟别.听

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CEO Robin Moulder and Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth Endowed Head of Virtual Reality Development Martin Murphy will lead the kickoff event. The goal of the hackathon is to showcase 四虎影视鈥檚 leadership in immersive technology education, inspire participation, and attract global attention to the College鈥檚 innovative initiatives. 

The hackathon is open to all people who are legally considered adults in their country and excludes companies and professional organizations.

The showcase and awards will take place at 12 pm on Dec. 31. The judges for the event will be Robin Moulder, Martin Murphy, Ca帽ada College Professor Dominique Wu, Academy of Immersive Arts and Sciences President Ben Erwin, ZeroSpace Account Director Elena Piech, and IVRHA Executive Director Bob Fine.

3lbXR is a spatial computing (XR) and AI content accelerator, and the creator of GroKit Core, a spatial computing and AI platform for creating fully realized XR applications, games, and business solutions.

四虎影视鈥檚 Virtual Reality Development major was named #1 in the United States for Production Excellence in Immersive Media and #2 in the United States for Immersive Media in the 2024 Annual Rookies rankings. They also hosted the virtual lobby at SIGGRAPH for a second consecutive year and launched the first-ever XR Women student Chapter.

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For the second consecutive year, Motion Design was ranked #1 in the world for Motion Graphics. The program has occupied top positions in the rankings almost every year and has celebrated three Rookie of the Year Awards over the last five years. The program grabbed #2 in the United States for Visual Effects, thanks to the work of MD faculty member Christian Huthmacher, who has worked hard to bring the program鈥檚 VFX work into the spotlight. They were also ranked  #11 in the World for 2D Animation, and #3 in the United States. Morgan Williams has been incorporating more hand-drawn elements alongside the 2D computer animation project assignments.  

Ringling鈥檚 3D Computer Animation program once again ranked #1 in the United States for Production Excellence and #3 worldwide. They were also ranked #1 in the United States for Production Excellence in 3D Animation and #5 worldwide.

Virtual Reality Development was named #1 in the United States for Production Excellence in Immersive Media and #2 in the United States for Immersive Media. 

Game Art claims #2 in the United States for Game Design and Development. The College was also named #2 in the United States for Concept Art.  

These designations are especially significant today, as colleges all around the country face challenges and even close down. This achievement signifies the College鈥檚 resilience鈥斔幕⒂笆� is flourishing, dedicated to providing students with rigorous academics, cutting-edge technology, exceptional faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, all enriched by valuable industry experience.

Since 2015, The Rookies have given trusted and industry-respected rankings, providing a reliable showcase of art institutions worldwide. Their official rankings are calculated based on the performance of students鈥� work submitted to their industry panel. According to The Rookies, 鈥渢o formulate these rankings, we engaged industry-leading professionals to review student art portfolios based on criteria that encompass creative skills, technical proficiency, presentation quality, diversity of skills, project complexity, raw talent, and employment potential.鈥� . 

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