Is the Future of Gaming Now?
Remember back in the day when video games were nothing more than a tiny white square bouncing back and forth against a solid block that you moved up and down by a simple joystick? Spending countless hours playing against your family or friends till your eyes felt like they would fall out of your head? The graphics were amazing, the controls so easy and smooth, and the game play was absolutely addictive. We were all on cloud nine, thinking, “Man this is the best thing since sliced bread” and “how could it ever get better than this?” If we only knew what awaited us all … Now video games are displayed in high definition with graphics so realistic you can almost reach out and grab them. The controllers have what seems like endless buttons that control multiple things and look like they should be on the Starship Enterprise. The game play is as addictive – if not more than – as before and still causes us to lose countless hours in front of the TV trying to get to that next level. Gaming has never been better. Life is great! How could we imagine anything better than this? Well, we said the same thing 20 years ago and now it appears that we are yet again in for a big change in what we perceive as gaming.
“How so?” you ask. What could the video game companies do for us now to take us to an even higher level of gaming, even better than what we are already at? Not possible! No way! What if I told you that instead of just sitting in front of your TV on the couch mashing your fingers on your multiple button controllers you could get up and be part of the game, actually control and play the game with a simple wave of your hand, a point of your finger, or simply by moving your foot? Would that interest you?
Well it looks like that is about to become reality. I’m talking about motion control and full-body immersion into the games we play.
Nintendo has already begun using this technology with their Wii video game system, and they have shown the world that gaming can be more than what we have ever known. Using their Wiimote controller you can swing a golf club and play 9 holes, pick up a tennis racket and take on a friend in a friendly match, and even go bowling right in your living room (bowling shoes not needed). It’s great; instead of just sitting there mashing on the buttons to play the games, you actually have to stand up and interact with the game.
And to add to the fun, Nintendo recently released an add-on to the controller called the Wii Motion Plus, which gives you even more control and true one-to-one motion transfer. Bundled with “Wii Sports Resort,” you now can have a fencing match, shoot a three-point basketball contest, or play a game of Frisbee catch with a dog, as well as many other games.It truly is remarkable and adds to the games on a level we’ve never had. Seeing the success of the Wii and how the public embraced motion control in their games, Microsoft and Sony both decided that they too now would venture into this new technology.
At the latest E3 conference, Sony unveiled their answer to Nintendo with the PS3 Motion Controller. Using a wand like controller in conjunction with the PS3 eye camera, your motions will be tracked and translated in the game. The wands have a glowing orb mounted on top that the camera uses to track your movement and to locate you in a 3-D space. From what they showed in a demo video, the wands can be replaced in-game for anything, from a bow and arrow to a sword to a baseball bat; whatever you need to use in the game will be available. The motion translation appeared quite fluid and looked to be working how they wanted.
Other than that not mush else has really been released about the Motion Controller yet. Sony is keeping a tight grip on what they release to the public but has said that it will work like nothing else and definitely change the way we play our games. They haven’t given a time frame for when this will be released but hopefully it’s soon. I will be interested to see what more they show us in the coming months.
Microsoft recently announced their new product, code named Project Natal, which will work with the Xbox 360. Microsoft has not released a lot about this yet, or when exactly it will be hitting the shelves, but from what they have shown people so far it looks as if this might be quite impressive and possibly the next big thing.
Natal will utilize a camera system that can track your every movement in a 3-D space, as well as at the movement of over 40 joint points on your body. It will be able to see you in a light or dark room and be able to pick you out of a group of people. It also has facial, voice, and even emotion tracking abilities that will be able to add to the way we interact with the system and play games. You will be able to control the system and game play without the use of a controller but instead with a simple wave of your arm, gesture of the hand, or a voice command. You will be able to drive cars, fight off armies of enemies, play sports, and control your characters all with your own body.
Combined with new A.I. software which you will be able to speak to, Natal will understand what you’re saying and follow your commands. We will soon be able to fully interact with the game as if we were actually a part of it. This is the one I’m very interested in and cannot wait to see more of.
From what has been shown to us so far it looks like we all are in for a treat and a major advance in the way we play games. The great thing is these technologies are going to make it so that all generations will be able to play the games and be a part of the fun. All you will need is yourself and you will be in the game, enjoying the fun with friends and family.
Imagine being able to drive a race car in the Grand Prix just by mimicking the same motions you would if you were really behind the wheel, or fighting off a ferocious dragon by swinging your sword, and casting a magic spell with a simple flick of your wrist.
Imagine being able to command your army of special operatives to secure the final bunker with a simple voice command or arm wave.
This is where we are heading. The future of gaming is now. This isn’t just a dream or wish; this is reality, and it will be here sooner that you think. Prepare to be part of the game and experience things we have never seen before. Are you ready? I know I am and I cannot wait to see what the next few months are going to bring us but it is definitely an exciting time to be a gamer.
As more news comes out about these new technologies I will be sure to let you know about it. So what do you think? Is this the way we should be heading, or do you think it’s just a gimmick that will quickly fade? Sound off and let me hear what you think.
Till next time, keep on gaming!!
Labels: Future, Gaming, Microsoft, Motion Plus, Natal, Sony, Wii
This entry was posted by James Dumas, on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. You can
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