Darkworks introduced its TriOviz for Games SDK yesterday during GDC , and while TriOviz technology has been around for years in Hollywood, it wasn’t until today that this same technology debuted for console and PC titles. Essentially, this software wrapper enables standard 2D video games to be viewed in 3D on a traditional 2D display, and we were able to sneak an exclusive look at the technology today at the company’s meeting room. We were shown a European version of Batman: Arkham Asylum on Microsoft’s Xbox 360, and we were given a set of specialized glasses (which were passive, like NVIDIA’s active-shutter 3D Vision specs) in order to enjoy the effect. So, how was it? In a word or two, not bad. It obviously wasn’t perfect, but you have to realize just how cheap of a solution this is for the consumer to implement. All that’s required is a set of special glasses, but given that these can be distributed in paper-frames form , you could easily find a set for a couple of bucks (at most), if not bundled in for free with future games. Users won’t need to purchase any additional hardware whatsoever, and what they’ll get is a deeper, more immersive image in return. We could very clearly see the 3D effect, and even though it was subtle, it definitely enhanced our experience. We noticed a minor bit of blurring and ghosting during just a few scenes, but when you consider that this doesn’t actually change the underlying code in existing 2D games (that’s the cue for developers to breathe a sigh of relief), we didn’t feel that these minor quirks were unreasonable. The other interesting aspect is just how clear the image remained for onlookers that didn’t have 3D glasses on; we noticed slight image doubling at specific points, but it’s not something we simply couldn’t look at without acquiring a headache. More after the break… Continue reading Darkworks shows off TriOviz for Games 2D-to-3D SDK, we get a good look Darkworks shows off TriOviz for Games 2D-to-3D SDK, we get a good look originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Tags » ‘Gaming’
Want more on the PlayStation Move? Head over to Joystiq!
March 11th, 2010 by staffSony’s calling the PlayStation Move the “next generation” of motion gaming and planning to market it as heavily as an entirely new console, so it’s sort of a big deal — and that means our main dudes at Joystiq are all over it. We’ve already covered the main details , but hit the links below if you’re looking for some seriously deep dives. SOCOM 4 to support PlayStation Move EyePet to support PlayStation Move, hits North America holiday 2010 Move supported by 36 companies, 20 games this fiscal year The PlayStation Move games (we know of) Hands-on: SOCOM 4 (with PlayStation Move!) Hands-on: PlayStation Move’s ‘The Shoot’ Hands-on: PlayStation Move’s ‘Move Party’ Hands-on: PlayStation Move’s Sports Champions We touched it: PlayStation Move from every angle ‘Arc’ lives on in PlayStation Move’s logo Want more on the PlayStation Move? Head over to Joystiq! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Entelligence: Windows Phone 7 Series
February 27th, 2010 by staffEntelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he’ll explore where our industry is and where it’s going — on both micro and macro levels — with the unique wit and insight only he can provide. It’s been a rough year for Microsoft in mobile. Despite the launch of impressive products such as the HTC HD2 , the company has faced some harsh criticism: “except for gaming, it’s ‘game over’ for Microsoft in the consumer market” was just one of the choicer comments from the past year. Personally, I’d disagree, and I’d actually argue that Windows Mobile 6.5 is underrated in the mobile arena — almost as much as Android is overrated. But no matter. Whether last year’s mobile platforms are good enough or not is irrelevant; no platform from 2009 is good enough for 2010 and beyond, and every mobile platform will need to evolve this year. Last week in Barcelona, we saw the first part of Microsoft’s revamped mobile strategy, and while there are many questions that will need to be answered, there’s a lot to like about what we saw. First, it’s important to look at the velocity of the mobile space. The tech industry is largely governed by Moore’s Law, which predicts a doubling of semi-conductor density roughly every eighteen months, but the mobile space is moving at a rate of change that’s closer to every eighteen minutes. What happened yesterday simply doesn’t matter nearly as much as it once might have. Just look at two of the hottest companies in mobile, Apple and Google. Just a few years ago, neither would have been part of the conversation, much less at the center of it. Continue reading Entelligence: Windows Phone 7 Series Entelligence: Windows Phone 7 Series originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Moblic E7 stuffs WiMAX, QWERTY, a gamepad, and all our dreams and wishes into a MID
February 23rd, 2010 by staff“Remember the story about the boy who suddenly got everything he ever wanted?” asks the high-pitched man in a funny suit. Gene Wilder was probably referring to the Moblic E7. This 4-inch WVGA MID sports an unnamed 600MHz processor, 8GB of built-in storage, WiMAX, microSD expansion, but most impressively slides open to reveal a QWERTY keyboard and delicious SNES-style gaming controls . There’s not much more info to go on, like OS, production plans, or price, but sign us up for a dozen. Moblic E7 stuffs WiMAX, QWERTY, a gamepad, and all our dreams and wishes into a MID originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Carrypad | Email this | Comments
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Moblic E7 stuffs WiMAX, QWERTY, a gamepad, and all our dreams and wishes into a MID
Nokia hints at augmented reality Maps and 3D smartphones in its future (video)
February 22nd, 2010 by staffYou know what happens when we see a video pop on Nokia Conversations (Nokia’s official blog) featuring a senior VP from Nokia’s smartphone division? Everything stops — who knows what might be revealed during an informal, semi-scripted chat. When asked about Nokia’s future smartphone technologies and experiences, Jo Harlow, SVP of Smartphones dives right into a discussion of augmented reality as a means to enhance existing Nokia services like the Ovi Maps experience. She then shifts to an entertainment perspective since “everyone’s talking about 3D.” As she sees it, there’s an opportunity for mobile to be earlier to 3D than typical television development to mobile. That means content, specifically 3D games, which Jo says “could be very, very interesting in terms of enhancing that experience.” One can only imagine that what interests Nokia’s Senior VP of smartphones will ultimately interest manufacturers on the way to retail. And it’s not like Nokia’s been shy with its 3D prototypes in the past. Watch the discussion unfold in the video after the break. Continue reading Nokia hints at augmented reality Maps and 3D smartphones in its future (video) Nokia hints at augmented reality Maps and 3D smartphones in its future (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | | Email this | Comments
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Nokia hints at augmented reality Maps and 3D smartphones in its future (video)
