ICAD is a Research and Development laboratory founded in 1989 by Professor Bruno Feijó, initially focused on Intelligent Computer-Aided Design (ICAD) and Computer Animation. Over time, the laboratory has established a pioneering role in Visual Effects (VFX) research and development in Brazil. Currently, ICAD is dedicated to the study and development of intelligent computer-aided design systems for digital entertainment, interactive storytelling, and simulated social systems, integrating artificial intelligence, game theory, and computational narratology. Its mission is to promote technological innovation and education arising from the convergence of computer graphics, artificial intelligence, digital entertainment, visualization, and games.
IGames (Intelligent Games) – is a research and development division of ICAD, created in 1997 and dedicated to the study and development of digital games. In 2002, as digital games began to be formally recognized by academia as a legitimate and rigorous field of computer science research, the laboratory incorporated the term Intelligent Games into its designation.
More recently, games and other forms of digital entertainment have been widely acknowledged as serious computing domains and as experimental platforms in which some of the most challenging problems in computer science converge. These challenges stem largely from the real-time constraints inherent to simulation and interactive systems. Game research is intrinsically interdisciplinary, encompassing computer graphics, artificial intelligence, multimedia, computer animation, networking, and human–computer interaction. Moreover, games extend far beyond entertainment applications, offering significant potential in areas such as industry, education, defense, training, and visualization. In this context, Serious Games have emerged as a strategic and rapidly expanding research area.
Objectives of ICAD/IGames:
- Promote the integration of core technological areas in game development, including Computer Graphics, Computer Vision, Image and Signal Processing, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, and Internet-based and networked systems, fostering interdisciplinary research and innovation.
- Advance research, innovation, and conceptual development in digital entertainment, interactive narratives, and game-based systems, promoting the creation of novel ideas, mechanics, and experiences.
- Establish ICAD/IGames as a reference center for education, training, and capacity building in digital entertainment, Game AI, and interactive media, contributing to academic excellence and industry-ready human resources.
- Design, develop, and validate tools and frameworks that support the production of games and interactive applications across multiple platforms, including high-end PCs, consoles, mobile devices, and emerging interactive technologies.