Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I Just Want Virtual Reality Already


There is some really cool new technology being developed right now. Motion controls and touch screens have dominated the gaming landscape for a while now, and I remember a time when those things were considered to be the cutting edge of video game technology. Now though, most of the tacking on of motion controls has stopped, and anything that can fit in your pocket has a touch screen, leaving room for exciting new game control technology. One day, ONE DAY, we’ll be able to jack into Matrix style virtual reality worlds to fight monsters and bang chicks, but until then we’ll have to be content with some feasible alternatives. I’m really excited for the future of computer control, and it’s coming sooner than you think.

Leap Motion is some fantastic new 3D motion tracking technology that, in addition to working really well, makes you look like Tony Stark, which is always a plus in my book. It’s similar to the Kinect, but significantly more accurate, down to 1/100th of a millimeter, and because it’s so accurate you can use it to paint pictures and control games. Gone are the days when Kinect promised us interactive gameplay without a controller, considering that’s not what we got at all:





This thing is amazingly precise, and tracks all of your fingers independently, which means it can be used as anything from a teaching tool, to physical rehab, to gaming, to artwork, and more. The Leap Motion controller comes out next month, and has had software being developed for it for months. Combine that with this deal to bring the Leap Motion to laptops, and we may just have a whole new sub-genre on our hands.

Then we have this game, Son of Nor, coming to PC, Mac, and Linux. At first look it seems to be a fairly standard third person action game, but then you watch the development videos, and realize that you control magic in the game with your mind. Using the EPOC headgear you can cast spells and alter terrain with thoughts, rather than actions. The technology requires you to “teach” your brain how to activate the abilities, but once you are immersed all of the actions just become effortless. This is the kind of technology that could easily be integrated into nearly every game genre, imagine being able to reload with just a thought, or not having to navigate maps and menus, but rather just thinking of the item or location you want, and having it pop up.

The future is here people.

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