Gwendal Paton
PhD candidate in Computer Science, Bretagne INP - ENIB / Lab-STICC
Brest, France
Current position
Mar 2024 – present
PhD candidate in Computer Science · Bretagne INP - ENIB / Lab-STICC
PhD thesis: The virtual chorus: the crowd as a relay of narrative tension in virtual reality
Original title: Le chœur virtuel : la foule comme relais de la tension narrative en réalité virtuelle
- Thesis director: Anne-Gwenn Bosser (Bretagne INP - ENIB / Lab-STICC)
- Co-supervisors: Brian Ravenet (Université Paris-Saclay / LISN), Nathalie Le Bigot (UBO / Lab-STICC)
- Defense: June 2027
- Research projects: PEPR eNSEMBLE — member of PC3 MATCHING (collaboration with intelligent systems)
Experience
Mar 2023 – Jul 2023
Master's intern · IRL CROSSING / ENIB
Adelaide (Australia) and Brest (France)
- Robotics (motion and grasping) on the Pepper robot (Aldebaran).
- Took part in RoboCup@Home 2023.
Feb 2022 – Jul 2022
R&D intern · Sercel
Nantes, France
- Research and development of a software test application for a graphical component library.
- Improvements to the library.
- Working groups on testing methods.
Jan 2020 – Feb 2020
Developer intern · Groupe Grenat
Brest, France
- C# development.
- Database management.
Education
Sept 2022 – Sept 2023
Master's degree SIIA, Intelligent and Autonomous Interactive Systems
IMT Atlantique / ENIB / UBO, Brest, France
Artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, multi-agent systems, interactive systems.
Ranked 2nd out of 19.
Sept 2018 – Sept 2023
Engineering degree (Diplôme d'ingénieur)
ENIB, Brest, France
Electronics, computer science, mechanical engineering.
Teaching
2026–2027
Object-oriented programming (OBJ)
Labs · Engineering curriculum, semester 5 (S5) · Bretagne INP - ENIB
Lab sessions introducing the concepts of object-oriented programming, in C#.
2026–2027
Virtual reality and virtual environments (REV)
Lectures · Engineering curriculum, semester 9 (S9) · ENIB · 14 h
Two lectures: presence and engagement in games and virtual worlds; online games and how networking technology has evolved to serve them.
Publications
- An Experimental Environment for Narrative Cue Evaluation in Virtual Reality. Gwendal Paton, Anne-Gwenn Bosser, Brian Ravenet, Nathalie Le Bigot. IVA 2025, Berlin, 2025. Demo HAL · DOI
- Enhancing Narrative Engagement Through Virtual Crowd Modulation in VR Storytelling. Gwendal Paton, Anne-Gwenn Bosser, Brian Ravenet, Nathalie Le Bigot. IVA 2025, Berlin, 2025. Poster HAL · DOI
- Soutenir la Tension Narrative dans un Récit Interactif en Réalité Virtuelle. Gwendal Paton, Anne-Gwenn Bosser, Brian Ravenet, Nathalie Le Bigot. WACAI 2024, Bordeaux, 2024. Workshop HAL
Skills
- Programming
- C# · C++ · C · Python · Java · JavaScript
- Tools and engines
- Unity · Unreal Engine 5 · MetaHuman · Meta XR (Unreal Engine 5 plugin) · Meta Quest 3
- Interaction and human factors
- Interaction in VR/AR environments · Interaction techniques · UX design · Ergonomics · Human factors · Scientific methodology (user studies)
- Narrative and games
- Interactive narrative · Game design · 3D game studies · Affective modelling
- AI and robotics
- Artificial intelligence · Deep learning · Multi-agent systems · Computer vision · Robotics · ROS · Electronics
Languages
- French
- Native
- English
- Full professional proficiency, C1 (TOEIC 985/990, 2022)
- German
- Professional working proficiency
Honours
2023
Master's degree SIIA, ranked 2nd out of 19
Other projects
2020 – 2021
This Game Called Life
Civic engagement project: a serious game exposing social inequalities, developed within ENIB's “Ingénieur Honnête” programme in partnership with the Fédération des MJC de Bretagne.
Interests
Role-playing and board games, video games and game making, writing and worldbuilding, music, travel, swimming.