If you cast your mind back to last year, and how much I was impressed by Milo, the annoying CGI child that Microsoft and Lion Head showed off when Natal was announced, you may remember me being pretty excited about that particular game/piece of software.
Continue reading ‘Milo: The Boy Who Was Never Born’
Back in the late 90’s, the gaming industry was taking a significant turn in its definition and scale of game play. With 3D gaming technology being fully employed into games such as Super Mario 64 (1997), the strong cinematic narrative seen in Metal Gear Solid (1999) and the scope of Final Fantasy 7 (1997), the gaming industry had stepped up its game. Literally.
The advertising tag for this was 'is your tv big enough', a great comment on how games were changing beyond the TV's they've always been played on.
At the time it could have been seen as a sign of things to come, however the immediate after-flow of games seemed only to work on what these games have done rather than completely redefine its genre such as Super Mario 64 did with the platform genre. To look back it is apparent that it is the leap in 3D graphics at the time meaning that it would actually take another huge technological leap to re-invent the games/genres we play today. Gaming technology has always driven the possibility and differences of new gaming genres and this is what I wish to explore on this article.
Likewise with both Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy 7, there was a huge leap on what these games could accomplish to their predecessors. It was the jump to CD ROM that allowed the scope of FF7 possible and the Hollywood combination of visuals and sound in MGS.
The same effect of new technology into great games can be seen also in the late 80’s where gaming had changed due to the first successful home consoles such as the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), offering something different to that of their arcade parents. Primarily the first video games ever created were basic reflex and aiming endeavours. And as technology has evolved so have the game mechanics and genres to it, as well as the audience. Only kids could have been marketed with a game like Super Mario Bros (1987) on the NES, with its cartooned visuals, which were all that was capable at the time. But as time went by, more was possible through advancing graphics technology; therefore more was possible contextually allowing for a possible older age range in gaming. The very definition of what gaming is in its time seems to reside on the technology of its time.
A glimpse into the future for Nintendo perhaps?
There is always the matter of game play over visuals, but ultimately Video games is technology and it is with new technology that we can expect the most likely groundbreaking games and new genres.
It has always been these games at the spear point of change that are often herald as the best games of all time or given that elusive 10/10 score which so many sites/ magazines hold for the best of the best. And rightly so, these games have more than the advantage of being state of the art, their usually ground breaking in content, opening up the possibilities for the ever expanding world of video games entertainment.
And now it seems we’re once again in the front line of gaming evolution. With the success of Nintendo’s Wii motion control, the physical practice of gaming has changed from its long running gamepad peripherals. The ease of use with it has also enabled the industry to expand into different age groups. Blu-ray game discs and DVD allow games to reach new heights in visual scope and scale. Gaming Graphics are getting closer to the CGI found in films allowing performance to be an attribute, such as that found in Heavenly Sword. Online multiplayer has reached a new mainstream audience with the successful online networks on consoles such as Xbox live. These are small advances compared to the jump from arcade to console, or 2D to 3D, but important ones that mould the current gaming generation into a more ’serious’ one. After all it was not too long ago when games consoles had names such as Mega Drive or Game Boy, names aimed for the toy market in comparison with the now family/adult targeted names of (DS) Duel Screen or Wii.
So what does the rest of the future hold for us? With Project Natal and 3D gaming on the horizon, we can be sure of some exciting developments in ‘what we play’, rather than the obvious ‘how we play’. Well, so long as it’s nothing like the Virtual Boy.
I personally, like to think the greatest turning point in gaming would be the implementation of full virtual reality or a Star Trek style ‘holodeck’ room in gaming. This could put gaming into a full mainstream phenomenon, even more so then it is now. And as for the first few games that are released on it, those will most likely change the ever debatable definition of video games.
-MarkBOSS
Contributed by Bob Moss
This oft-pondered question will inevitably be out of date within the next 12 months, but with all these game releases and developments in the industry we can reflect on what we have already and where things are heading.
For instance, the use of 3D-HD technology in the next few years is almost a given. Phillips plan to ship the first 3DTV sets as early as Spring 2011, and Sony have already announced 3D-HD Blu Ray and a firmware upgrade for all PS3 users that enables 3D content. Furthermore, there are contenders to Phillips’ 3D standard from the likes of Toshiba and LG, suggesting that 3D content will be coming to the industry in a big way. As you’ll have read from the reports of CES 2010 and even our own articles here on PlusXP this is a new technology the games industry is taking very seriously indeed and in the next few years we should expect to be wearing some stylish-looking glasses during game-play.
On the subject of spectacles, immersive gaming could be the next big thing. Previously dubbed ‘virtual reality headsets’, these specialized pieces of eye-wear are much lighter and simply comprise a pair of glasses rather than a new hat! The device allows you to see what is around you in real life, but the game engine adds game play elements to this in your real environment. We’re already seeing such examples of this work from the University of Bristol, and Google has implemented similar technology for it’s ‘Google Googles’ application, using GPS to enable users to roam around seeing places of interest marked out on what the phone camera sees. Not only does this show that the technology is here, it also proves it has some business viability and could see some major investment in the next few years.
Inevitably if we’re talking about game-play objects being imposed on reality the Sony EyeToy deserves an honourable mention. Though this has been around for a number of years it has always ever been a fairly niche product. With increasing competition from other consoles, it’s not unreasonable to think that further titles and investment will go into this technology. Eye Pet is an excellent example of this concept, enabling kids to play with a virtual pet rather than parents needing to feed or clean up after it!
This brings us on to the impeding release of Project Natal, Microsoft’s new flagship innovation for the XBOX 360. The company promises us that we will see it ’some time in 2010′ and even leaves Steven Spielberg speechless. Rather than manipulating your console with a controller, users for the first time will be able to manipulate and immerse themselves into the game-play environment like never before with just their hands. The device also comes with face and object recognition technology, and with the promise it may be a relatively cheap item to add to your existing setup, this should excite most games console users (or even fans of the Nintendo Wii).
As was shown by the Milo project, the potential for this technology is huge – with much more human interaction with an AI character. There are even rumours that the developers at Redwood Studios will be using Project Natal extensively in the coming release of Fable 3.
Despite this, Project Natal has drawn criticism from some speculative articles that it could potentially just be a niche product. Though with the potential to transform home media centres (i.e. by shuffling through album art to choose your favourite track) and even the desktop experience this should at least excite hardened users, even if more hard-core gamers choose to stick with their beloved hand-held gamepad.
And finally, we already have the Wii Motion Plus which gives users the ability to easily manipulate their environment over two axies in an easy and casual environment. There are plenty of rumours circulating around that the next controller for the Wii could use biometric data such as skin reaction and heart rate to tailor gaming. In this way a hard-core gamer would see much more gore and action to keep their heart rate and excitement levels up while a casual gamer would be ushered gently into the game. This could have big potential, as this once again keeps the Wii accessible to all the family while still appealing to more experienced gamers after top-notch performance.
So, what do we see for the future of gaming? Not necessarily a change in the kind of games we play – but the way we interact with games will be the major hotbed of innovation for the coming decade. Though there will be plenty of die-hard enthusiasts who stick to using their PCs with joysticks and game-pads this is an exciting time for the casual and experienced gamers alike. Whether you want your parents to join you or want to spend the next 10 years locked away in your room throwing Mohawk grenades at people there will be something to cater for everyone. Bring on the ’10s!
- Bob Moss
This is what I asked myself this morning, when I woke up and found the leaked news/rumor of the new gaming hands-free kit. Project Natal is supposedly gonna hit shelves November 2010, for the impressively low price of £50. On launch it is also rumored that the device will have a bundle of 14 games. Well if this is true then I will be looking forward to November/Christmas next year.
But as I sat back and thought about it, will this be another gaming fad that won’t last the honeymoon period? Or will it actually take off, and bring a new element to gaming as we know it?
Now I am one of these picky gamers who feels right at home with a controller in my hands, the traditional but effective way of gaming has always appealed to me and if any of you out there know me, you will know I have this ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it attitude’ to life. The Wii for me is kind of on the border line with it, true it still has the controller but instead of traditionally pressing buttons, you are waving it around like some sort of crazy base-ball player, oh the stories I have heard about Wii remotes going through TV screens still make me chuckle.
For those of you out there who aren’t familiar with Project Natal, let me give you a brief explanation. Project Natal is a device that will plug into your Xbox 360, comprising of a black box with a camera, and a special motion sensor which in turn scans your body, letting you play games totally hands free, just by moving your body. Not only that, but the device also promises a new level of customisation to your gaming, say you have a really cool skateboard deck at home and you want touse it in Tony Hawk, apparently you can scan in your deck and hey presto, it is there on the game for you to use. Also, it will make clothes shopping easier as well, where you can, in some way, virtually try on the clothes that have caught your eye.
To me this sounds too huge for a November 2010 release date, I mean has our technology advanced that much? If so, then why aren’t PC’s and Mac’s doing it now with their webcams? I mean c’mon, Apple would have jumped on that shiny technology band wagon ages ago. Do Microsoft have exclusive rights to this technology? Or are they just going to bring out a half-arsed thing which is just akin to a glorified PlayStation EyeToy?
Take Milo as a shining example. Lion Head have come up with a game for Natal which centers around a boy called Milo and basically he talks to you, and you can fully interact with him. He is pretty much a friend you can buy from a store. Peter Molyneux and the Lion Head team have promised that you can pretty much interact with this character in almost anyway possible, you can give him objects which Natal will scan in, and he can read your emotions and basically get to know you inside out.I don’t know about you, but I think this type of technology would take years to make, maybe ten at least, you have to programme every single outcome, emotion and interaction and to be honest I’m dreading that most of the time Milo is not going to understand you and get bored. It was confirmed at this years E3 extravaganza in LA, and true, it won’t be coming out with Natal at its supposed launch, but if it was announced at E3 then it has to come out in a year or two…right?
The only thing that gives Natal a glint of hope is Playstation 3’s EyePet. This relatively new game that has hit the market uses the PS3 eye camera to film the gamer while the EyePet is on the screen, meaning that what you see in the screen is your living room with the monkey/dog thing inside it. Pretty cool in my opinion. After looking at the potential of this game and doing a little bit of reasearch, I can say I have a little bit more hope about Natal. Even though EyePet is basically a glorified EyeToy like I said earlier, it does mean Natal can up its game.
So for me I am very much sitting on the fence for this project. A part of me is hoping that Natal has the capability of blowing its competition out of the water, but then again I like my games with controllers, being physically able to push buttons is a thing that I enjoy because, without a doubt a button command 99.999999 times out of a hundred will do what you want, whereas hands-free gaming can be less reliable in my opinion.
Garv
One day I would love to go to Japan. Take in te sites, culture and general Japan life. Thats probably a long way off yet, but latest news from Japan is, the Tokyo Game Show is in full swing and brining us some information. So without further a-do, what are the big announcements so far?
Microsoft announces Project Natal Developers:
At TGS this year Microsoft announced the developers that are going to be making some games for the Xbox 360 hands free kit, the developers are as follows:
Activision Blizzard
Bethesda Softworks
CAPCOM
Disney Interactive
Electronic Arts
Konami
MTV Games
Namco Bandai
Sega
Square Enix
THQ Inc.
Ubisoft
Hmmm this could be interesting. Will we see a hands free Metal gear, Rockband, Final Fantasy, Guitar Hero or resident evil? We all know about the PS3 motion controller working with the revised edition of Resident Evil 5. So is Natal going to get he same treatment? Keep your eyes peeled.
Splinter Cell Conviction Gets A Release Date:
All you american gamers out there mark your calendars and get your gaming diaries out, as the new splinter cell is planning to hit US retailers February 23rd. As for UK and EU? well lets jus hope its at least a week after!
Microsoft Ups The Size Of XBLA Games.
Back when the arcade first came out for XBox LIVE there was only a 50 Meg cap on live arcade games that could be sold. That soon changed to 150 Meg as the arcade got more popular. But with recent arcade games such as Shadow Complex and the stand along Command $ Conquer expansion. It has been announced that the XBox LIVE Arcade game size cap is now a whopping 2GB. Might have to get that limited edition 250GB console after all.
PlayStation 3 Motion controller release date confirmed.
Leon is gonna love this! Spring 2010 is when all you PS3 gamers out there ill be able to get your hands on the PlayStation 3 Motion bundle, including Motion wand and PS3 eye camera. Yay for bloody motion controls!
For news stories thats about it. This week I will b giving you highlights fro TGS, with info on Crackdown 2, Dead Rising 2 and Ninety Nine Nights 2 (all the 2’s basically). So check back here for those articles and keep gaming!
Gav!
