Interactive 3D TV take gaming to new level with Project Natal-style body control of games

A revolutionary interactive 3DTV system is being created by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) researchers.

The €4.2 million (roughly £3.7 million) project aims to develop a television that can recognise where somebody is sitting in a room and what they wish to view and interact with on their television.



Researchers believe it is a step towards truly interactive 3D video games where gamers use their bodies to control the action without the need for a controller.

The project, called HELIUM3D (high efficiency, laser-based, multi-user, multi-modal 3D display) is also exploring ways of allowing viewers who are watching the same television to each view a different channel at the same time and could even let them choose different viewing positions within the image.

For example, groups of people watching a football match in the same room could each pick the part of the stadium from which they would like to experience the action.

The 3D effect will be seen without special glasses and will use head-tracking technology developed during previous 3DTV research projects led by DMU to deliver the perfect image to every viewer.

The system will not only display standard 3DTV, it will also allow viewers to experience an effect known as motion parallax or the ‘look-around effect’. This is where the image has a ‘holographic’ quality, giving it a greater sense of depth and movement than standard 3D.

Researchers at DMU’s Imaging and Displays Research Group (IDRG) are leading the work, with partners from: Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut; Philips Consumer Lifestyle; Eindhoven University of Technology; Nanjing University in China; Barco, a display hardware manufacturer in Belgium; University College London; and Koç University in Turkey.

The project is supported by £2.8 million funding from the European Commission’s Framework 7 programme.

Researchers working on HELIUM3D will also be exploring the display’s potential in professional applications, including medical imaging, video conferencing, engineering design and oil and gas exploration.

DMU’s Dr Ian Sexton, Head of the Imaging and Displays Research Group, said: “The inherent flexibility of the HELIUM display takes it beyond mere 3D and will open up a whole new world of exciting interactive possibilities.

“The display will give gamers a new freedom to enjoy interactive 3D television and games – for example viewers or gamers will be able to see 3D on the HELIUM TV and also interact with the game through the viewer sensing built into the system wherever they are in the room and without 3D glasses. This will make 3D games more natural, exciting and ‘real’.”

He added: “The system will also be used for more serious uses such as medical imaging; doctors and surgeons will be able to intuitively ‘fly’ through a 3D scan of a person to make a diagnosis or to prepare for an operation, making a 3D display that will be useful to a wide audience.”

Previous 3D systems have used flat panel displays in their design but HELIUM3D will use a new type of front screen.

The Gabor superlens screen used by DMU researchers replaces the usual LCD screen found on commercial television sets and is much more efficient than other technologies.

This will allow brighter whites and darker blacks, meaning the resulting image will be much more vivid than in previous 3D projects due to the use of a novel red, green and blue laser illumination source.

The HELIUM3D funding from the European Commission is the latest in a string of projects which the IDRG has worked on over the past seven years, worth nearly £14 million in total.

HELIUM3D runs until 2010 and researchers hope the system will lead to commercial production of interactive 3DTV sets within the next decade.

Germany to ban violent video games

Violent video games look set to be banned throughout Germany. Ministers of the country's 16 states, Deutscher Bundesrat, has just agreed to ban the so-called 'killer games'. Now all that's needed to ban such games is a regulation drafted and ratified in parliament.

Such a law would not only ban the sale of violent games in Germany, but also their creation. Crysis developer CryTek has already promised to move production out of Germany if the law becomes reality.

Germany's current moral panic of videogames stems from an incident in March where a mentally ill teenager shot 16 people in Winnenden.

It is claimed that German ministers have today agreed to ban the production and distribution of all violent video games, with the law only having to go through parliament in the next few weeks.

Ministers of all sixteen German federal states came together for a conference in Bremerhaven where it was agreed to forbid the production and distribution of all video games “where the main part is to realistically play the killing of people or other cruel or unhuman acts of violence against humans or manlike characters.”

The country has been hard on video games in the past with bans on Manhunt & DeadRising taking place, but an outright ban on every potentially violent game would result in a huge loss for the video games industry in one of its most successful European countries. The law would result in no Call of Duty, no World of Warcraft, no BioShock, no Uncharted, and no Grand Theft Auto. Any development firm based in Germany would have to outsource future project developments on a violent game since it would now be banned to even create any such content in that country!

Ministers are hoping the for the law to come into effect before the German federal elections this September, The minister of the interior of Lower Saxony commented:

“Violent games lower the inhibition level for real violence and spree killers always played such games before they did the crime.”

However for violent games and the developments of such games to become illegal, the law must be passed through parliament in which an outcome will be decided within a couple of weeks.

Source: Various websites...

Japanese Software Group Bans Rape Games After Protest

A Japanese game makers association banned its members from making and selling games that contain rape scenes following an international protest by a human rights group that raised the attention of the U.K. parliament.

Move to ban post on gamezplay.org

The Ethics Organization of Computer Software, comprising 233 companies, banned games containing rape scenes and other images of sexual violence at a meeting in Tokyo, the association said in a statement late yesterday. Nearly 90 percent of Japan’s adult-game makers belong to the group.

The availability of rape games in Japan gained international attention in recent months when London-based women’s rights group Equality Now began a campaign against a game called Rapelay, where players act as assailants attacking and raping females including 12 year-old schoolgirls.

Equality Now called on Japan’s Ministry of Justice and other departments to ban games that “normalize and promote sexual violence against women and girls,” the group said in a statement. It asked supporters to write to the government to take action.

Rapelay, published by Yokohama-based Illusion Software, was available for sale on Amazon Japan K.K. before being removed from its Web Site, Equality Now said in the statement.

Amazon Japan spokeswoman Misao Konishi declined to comment. An Illusion spokesman, who gave his name only as Nakaoka, declined to comment when contacted by telephone yesterday. The company has removed Rapelay from its Web Site.

Source: Bloomberg

Ys Online: The Call of Solum - 2nd Closed Beta launch

* More than 50.000 keys will be distributed
* A completely new anti-bot system: The Bomb
* Follow us at Twitter

Over 10.000 keys were gone as soon as the second phase of the Ys Online beta test started. Facing such a demand, Key To Play will release a new batch of 50.000 keys to help as many players as possible to have an early access to one is to become one of the most anticipated MMOs.

With Ys Online, Key To Play is going further in our fight against the bots with THE BOMB. The bomb is an item that any player can get for 1 copper in game; once the player witness abnormal behavior in game he throws the bomb and the target has to type a captcha in order to check human presence behind the keyboard.

Key To Play is also launching the official Ys Online Europe Twitter page at http://twitter.com/ys_online. The followers will have not only the opportunity to get their hands on exclusives goodies and prices but also to follow real time information regarding the game evolution.

Ys - Call Of Solum

Call of Solum is an MMORPG based on the famous Ys series, created for the Japanese company Falcom. Since its first title for 8 bits, already turned into a classic, several manga series, OAVs and even novels have been stemmed. This time, Falcom and CJ Internet are joining to present Ys - Call of Solum, the new title of the series turned into an online videogame that follows the anime style, so characteristic in the entire saga.

Ys - Call of Solum arrives in Europe thanks to of Key To Play.
With Man of Wings’ ascent to the sky, chaos reigned in the continent of Eresia. The central region known as Europe was divided into two enemy realms: Romun, dominating the centre and south of the region and Etruria, in the north.
After one hundred years of constant battles all over the continent, several kingdoms fell, one after the other, against the fearful monsters emerging from the chaos. This way, 12 soldiers of different races, Eresians, Kimoans and Afrocans, joined Grey the hero, to defeat the monsters and establish a new empire under the name of Romun all over the continent.

Key To Play

Key To Play is a new online videogame portal of different genres, created in 2008 with the aim of bringing great international titles to the European market. With several offices in Europe and Asia, Key To Play is offering offers online players a large network of support and development possibilities. All this with one goal: to be able to give the best quality and playability.

Currently, the titles are launched in 4 languages simultaneously, English, French, German and Spanish, to offer more convenience to the players.

Key To Play has committed, up to now, to two titles, Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma and Ys Online - Call of Solum.

The Path - Prologue Free Demo download PC & Mac of indie horror game (with video)

Less than three months after its initial release, Tale of Tales are adding a new chapter to their introverted psychological horror trip.

"The Path - Prologue" is a standalone application that is free to download for everyone. As such, it functions as a trial version of the game, even though it contains content that is not part of the full release.

"The Path - Prologue" is available as a free download for Mac or PC




The Path is a short horror game inspired by Little Red Ridinghood. You play six sisters, the Red Girls, who are sent to their grandmother's house, one by one, with the explicit command to stay on the path. But not all young women can resist the seductive allure of the dark forest along the way. In the new chapter, entitled "The Path - Prologue", you take control of the mysterious character of the Girl in White, who roams the forest and can assist the Red Girls in their explorations.

"People who have already finished The Path will recognize some aspects of the Prologue," admit designers Auriea Harvey and Michael Samyn. "It is similar to a certain part of the game. But not the same. A prologue should show what happened before the events in the story. But in this case, it may seem like it's showing things that happened after. A mystery that will make more sense after playing the full game.

We didn't want to simply give away part of the game as a trial. We wanted to add something to the story instead. And give everybody something new to play with, including those who have already played the full game. But it does function as a free demo for the game: it gives users a taste of the atmosphere and a means to check if their computer can run our technology."

Since its release on 18 March, The Path was met with an impressive amount of high praise. And also an, albeit smaller, amount of passionate rejection. Some claim that the indie title is pretentious mumbo-jumbo and others see it as a veritable mile stone in the evolution of the medium. This controversy pleases the designers tremendously. They'd be worried if suddenly everyone would like their work. Tale of Tales explores the artistic potential of games technology. Sometimes this requires leaving behind all known territory and confronting the audience with the unusual, the unsettling, the sublime.

The Path was created by Auriea Harvey and Michael Samyn with the help of Jarboe and Kris Force (music), Laura Raines Smith (character animations), Hans Zantman (technical art) and Marian Bantjes (logo and calligraphy). Production of The Path was supported by Creative Capital, the Flemish Authorities, Flanders Audiovisual Fund, Design Flanders, CultuurInvest and Villanella.

Bill ‘The Spaceman’ Lee Out Of The Park Baseball 10 release date

Software publisher Strategy First Inc., and Out of the Park Productions are proud to present Bill ‘The Spaceman’ Lee Out Of The Park Baseball 10, which will be released June 9,2009.

Out Of The Park Baseball 10 is the 10th installment of the award-winning baseball management simulation game. The game will add more features to an already unparalleled feature set and improve already existing ones.

With an improved artificial intelligence, which results the most realistic baseball management experience, Out Of The Park Baseball 10 continues the tradition of innovative management simulations.

Out Of The Park Baseball 10 includes a brand new never before seen 90 minute interview with Red Sox Hall of Fame Pitcher Bill ‘The Spaceman’ Lee. The celebrated pitcher provides his unique insight into baseball management, history, and tips on how to build a World Series caliber team.

“We are excited to bring Bill ‘The Spaceman’ Lee Out Of The Park Baseball 10 to Gamers world wide. Teaming up one of Major League baseball’s iconic pitchers Bill ‘The Spaceman’ Lee with the award winning franchise will provide Gamers with great game play, information and entertainment all in one offering.” Says Strategy First Business Development Manager Emanuel Wall

Some of the new features are outlined below

• All new Bill “The Spaceman Lee” 90 minute interview
• 2009 Major League Rosters
• Reworked Pitching System
• Customizable In-Game Screen
• Improved In-Game AI
• Enhanced Play-By-Play
• Inaugural Draft With Budgets
• Improved Arbitration
• Improved Free Agent Compensation
• Improved Player Evaluation AI
• Improved Injury System
• Minor League Disabled Lists
• Optional Reserve Roster Limit
• More News Stories
• eMail Support in Online Leagues
• Improved Historical Simulation

NFL linebacker James Laurinaitis live chat and online game play at NFLRush zone

Live Chat in NFLRUSH Zone "Press Room" Kicks Off Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 PM Eastern

Football fans around the world are in for some NFL action when St. Louis Rams rookie linebacker James Laurinaitis enters the NFLRUSH Zone virtual games world (http://nflrz.nflrush.com/) for a live chat session and online game play. The action kicks off Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 7:00 PM Eastern in the first of multiple live sessions with NFL players planned through the upcoming NFL season.

Laurinaitis will be available for a live chat with fans in the NFLRUSH Zone’s “Press Room” at 7:00 PM Eastern. At approximately 7:30 PM he’ll begin to navigate the site as his avatar, ready for any fan who wants to challenge his skills in online game play.

“We are thrilled to get James together with NFL fans in a virtual world where they can experience the minute-by-minute excitement of intense football competition and connect with the players they root for,” said Brandissimo! CEO David Snyder. “This event gives kids a unique opportunity to chat with a real NFL linebacker, get up close and personal, and even challenge him as a player in his favorite NFLRUSH Zone games.”

A three-time AP All-American, James Laurinaitis was one of the most recognized players of the 2009 NFL Draft class. Blessed with a rare combination of size and athleticism, Laurinaitis burst onto the scene as a sophomore, earning the 2006 Bronko Nagurski Award given to the nation’s top defensive player. He won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and the Lott Trophy in ’08 as the nation’s best all-around defensive player. The Rams drafted Laurinaitis in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft.

ABOUT NFLRUSH ZONE
Featuring more than 65 fun online games, NFLRUSH Zone gives kids an exciting – and safe – environment where they can play and enjoy an NFL-themed fantasy world. In addition to games and animated videos, kids create avatars, join their favorite team, explore 32 team lands, earn virtual currency (“pigskins”), feed and care for pet-like characters (“gameballs”), and safe-chat with friends around the world in real time. Like the NFL, competition is the name of the game on NFLRUSH Zone, where kids can challenge each other in games to see which team reigns supreme each week.

Sony's PlayStation 3 motion controller (video) takes on Microsoft's Natal Xbox 360 E3 annoucement

Watch this video as Sony show their new prototype wand controller for PS3.

Millimeter control, active tool changing, from swords to guns it's all here.

Watch the demo - can the PlayStation 3 can challenge Nintendo Wii?



Microsoft project Natal video...

Sonic - Sega All Stars Racing HD E3 video game trailer

In a frantic battle to the chequered flag, Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing sees Sonic and friends speed around tracks set in mediaeval castle ramparts, lush rainforests and bustling cities, all taken from the visually rich and varied universes of Sonic and SEGA. Fan favourites such as Dr. Eggman, Tails, AiAi, Amigo and many more will join Sonic in their custom built vehicles, revving their engines and jostling to stay ahead of the pack.



Each character will race around the track in cars, planes, motorbikes, and in AiAis case a banana mobile! Secret short cuts, swift handling and avoiding strategically placed obstacles are certainly the best way to get to the top of the podium.

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing is no ordinary racing game. Its huge variety of characters and vehicles, plus the ability to play both online and off set it apart from other games of this type commented Gary Knight European Marketing Director, SEGA Europe Ltd. The team have pushed the boundaries on what you would normally expect and created a different and unique party racing title whereby you really cant take anything for granted!

And winning is only part of the fun in Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing! Each character has a specific All Star move such as Super Sonic, Banana Blitz and Tails Tornado, allowing a quick way for competitors to get back into the race! Power ups and weapons can also be collected around the tracks and used against the opposition to ensure they dont become a threat to that number one position Players can battle it out in single or multiplayer mode, allowing up to four friends to race in frantic split-screen action, or up to eight players to compete online in the ultimate racing showdown.

Bayonetta E3 HD video game trailer

Another over sexual slash em' up sex-fueled title is on it's way and it only makes sense to dub the trailer 'First Climax'.