Yoan-Daniel Malinov

Yoan-Daniel Malinov

PhD Student in Computer Science

University of Southampton

Hi there! I’m a PhD student at the University of Southampton who loves exploring new ways of creating immersive and interactive experiences with Virtual Reality (VR).

My research focuses on how different modes of interactions in VR affect each player’s engagement, enjoyment, and sense of presence, and I have published a paper as part of my PhD that you can check in the “Publications” link.

Recently, I have also joined the LoGaCulture project as a Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, where I will be creating and testing a mixed reality/locative game for the Avebury Stone Circle, one of the most significant cultural heritage sites in Europe.

Outside my research and work, I am interested in music, as well as game design and development - I have worked on some fun projects that you can check out by clicking the “Projects” link on top. Some of my favourite games are inspired by “I Expect You To Die” and “The Stanley Parable”. Welcome to my website!

Interests
  • Virtual Reality
  • Multi-modal play
  • Game Design and Development
  • Music (Drums, Guitar, Piano)
Education
  • PhD in Computer Science, 2023 (expected)

    University of Southampton

  • BSc in Computer Science, 2019

    University of Southampton

Skills
Programming
  • C#

  • C++

  • Python

  • Java

Game Development
  • Unity

  • Godot

  • SDL2

  • GitHub

Other
  • Blender

  • Aseprite

  • FL Studio

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
University of Southamton
Research Fellow - LoGaCulture Project
University of Southamton
May 2023 – Present Southampton
Working on developing and evaluating a locative game for the Avebury Stone Circle cultural heritage site in the UK, as part of the LoGaCulture project funded by the European Union’s Horizon programme and UK Research and Investment (UKRI).
 
 
 
 
 
University of Southamton
Student Demonstrator
University of Southamton
October 2019 – May 2023 Southampton
Helping students with first year programming modules in their labs (COMP1202, COMP1203, COMP1204, COMP1206), as well as in the third year Game Design and Development course (COMP3218)
 
 
 
 
 
University of Southamton
Android Developer - Intern
University of Southamton
July 2018 – September 2018 Southampton
Worked on an Android computer vision application to detect various labels and extract the text on them for faster inventory management

Education

 
 
 
 
 
University of Southamton
PhD Computer Science - In Progress
University of Southamton
October 2019 – Present Southampton
 
 
 
 
 
University of Southamton
BSc Computer Science - First Class Honours
University of Southamton
October 2016 – July 2019 Southampton

Projects

*
The Artifact
Southampton Game Jam 2021@Home
The Artifact
The Oracle
Southampton Game Jam 2020@Home
The Oracle
StuckInSpace
VR Multi-Modal Co-op two player game
StuckInSpace
008: VR Extravaganza
Coursework 3 “Innovation in Games” (use a new technology to make a game)
008: VR Extravaganza
Bingo Bongo
Coursework 1 “Fundamentals of Game Design” (make a tutorial level)
Bingo Bongo