Earlier this month Microsoft released footage documenting the IllumiRoom. This is a device that is pushing the Xbox Kinect system further, scanning your room in order to map each individual item (bookshelf, coffee table etc.). It then uses a projector to projecting the game inside your living room, effectively extending the screen beyond the traditional barriers. You can see the thing in action here: http://youtu.be/O8B10jWZeMo
There has been some comparisons to the Sony 'Immersive Move Experience' clips posted to youtube, where the idea is the same, however not linked to videogames (found here www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrgWH1KUDt4). The idea is the same: project video images onto a lived-in environment, rather than on a flat wall or projector screen - although the Microsoft version has been adapted for videogames.
Although still very much in the concept stage, I wonder how this new technology will affect our notion of immersion. We are no longer looking at a screen in order to play our games, but are physically inside the game environment. This is one less barrier that we need to break in order to become immersed - making it easier to achieve.
It is interesting to relate this to slightly older 'new' devices: Kinect, the Wii, and the Playstation EyeToy. All of these did a very similar thing - they encouraged the physical player to enter the game world, making them the input interface. Where it differs is that all the noted devices had significant interface problems which limited the level of immersion possible. This can be easily seen when you pick up some of the early Wii remotes that were horribly inaccurate - really limiting the enjoyment you can get out of a game. With the IllumiRoom, the player is thrust into the game world, but can still easily control their character with a standard Xbox controller, effectively killing the interface problems of the earlier, movement based devices - thus encouraging immersion and making it easier to maintain.
The earlier devices played on the hypermediacy of the new technology, in that you were very aware that you were jumping around. This is really what was fun about them. It seems this IllumiRoom is doing the exact opposite in that it is breaking down the barriers to the game world in a very immediate way, thus encouraging immersion rather than hypermediacy. Both are incorporating the player into the game world - but in two very different ways.
While a cool concept, to actually have this in your home would be a very expensive endeavour as you need to purchase projectors as well as the scanners. And like any new technology, it is heavily dependent on developers making use of it - which many simply won't if its too expensive for people to purchase. This leads me to think it may become one of those inventions that will fade into non-existence before it has a chance to come to fruition.
Peter Ruddell
Peter Ruddell
I wonder how hardcore gamers would feel about this. It's an interesting concept but I think it would only expand a players sense of immersion if this extension of the games world is done really well. Otherwise if it doesn't fit in with the game well then it might just detract from the game and become distracting as opposed to immersive.Besides, being immersed through a screen has been normal for so long that adding these outside special effects might be too much of a change for some gamers. hmm..
ReplyDeleteI agree with monique, this kind of technology runs he risk of falling into the Wii trap, or even the same pit as the 'kinect' which now seems to cater almost exclusively to either dancing, or fitness games.
ReplyDeleteI was kind of wondering what this sort of technology would do to outside perception of video games, though. A lot of people argue about the downside of games in relation to health: you're sitting down focusing on a screen and pushing buttons for large amounts of time. And of course, the everlasting argument against videogame violence: will further immersion actually create violent individuals? What happens when the act of shooting a gun in a videogame is actually simulated in a more physically real manner? etc. Finally there's the skill argument: Will this form of videogame actually improve the gamer's skill in a real world activity? i.e. Rock Band and NBA2k12 have already proven NOT to improve a person's skill in an instrument or basketball.
As a FPS gamer I think it would be to off putting and distracting having your surroundings like that included in the game. Just buy a bigger TV or a projector.
ReplyDeletePlus after seeing the use of the Xbox kinect in the recent movie Paranormal Activity 4, I would have to say HELL NO!! that shit is just plain scary.