Tagged: Microsoft
Dat App: Oculus Rift
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
The supposed Oculus Rift./PHOTO VIA Paste Magazine
The evolution of the entertainment industry has been due to a singular vision: a completely immersive experience. That is why hyper-realistic graphics, enormous screens and 3-D technology have flourished recently. They make the experience real.
But a new technology, the Oculus Rift, could finally bridge the gap between genuine and virtual realities. The product of a $16 million Kickstarter fund by developer Oculus VR, the Rift has already left industry veterans and curious consumers intrigued and impressed.
Outwardly, the Rift looks ridiculous. It is essentially a huge pair of goggles which, like night-vision goggles, aren’t even that noticeable on your face (that’s a reference to the movie “Stepbrothers”). The goggles contain two internal screens—one for each eye—which allow for actual binocular depth cues within games.
But the Oculus Rift works surprisingly well despite its clunky appearance. It hooks up to any PC display and transfers the PC graphics to the two screens. The Rift’s cameras move the screen as the user turns their head, essentially allowing for a virtual first person POV.
Unsurprisingly, a few developers have already used the intriguing technology in innovative ways. There is currently a spacewalk simulator, in addition to a first person horror game that puts you alone in a haunted house. It is wholly different to watch something terrifying or mystifying on a TV then to actually experience it.
If the Rift is perfected by its release, it may spell the end for entertainment as we know it. Home video could become obsolete; console markets would disappear; social gaming would be a completely new experience.
And you can get your hands on the Oculus Rift on Saturday. The Microsoft NERD center in Cambridge will be hosting a conference for the Oculus Rift which is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
The event runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will allow consumer demos of the Oculus Rift. The event sign-up page is https://oculusnerds.eventbrite.com/. Who knows? Maybe in 20 years, you’ll be able to rip the goggles off your kid’s faces for a few minutes to tell them how you were one of the first to ever use and Oculus Rift. Maybe they’ll even think you’re cool.
Dat App: PlayStation 4 versus Xbox One
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
Observing the Xbox One./PHOTO VIA Wikimedia Commons
Plenty of guides exist for the pros and cons of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, but most people don’t care about the graphic cards and processors that these guides examine. We want to know what affects us. Here’s an overview of everything college kids should consider when purchasing a next-gen console.
Xbox One: It costs a not cool $499. Like, zoinks, Scoob. But, the Xbox One ships with an improved Kinect — Microsoft’s flagship motion sensor — and one controller. This “new” Kinect is far more precise than the inaccurate Xbox 360 model. It can detect facial features, heart rate and individual voices. While nothing life-changing has been announced yet, these features could lead innovative developers to actually care about the Kinect: Imagine a horror game that matches the music to your heart rate!
Additionally, the Xbox has exclusive games like Titanfall (which you should research), Dead Rising 3, and Forza 5. Xbox Live stays mostly the same but it adds the new Xbox’s most unique feature: Teputation points. This system gives points depending on how you act online. This means that intolerable twelve year olds will only get matched with…other intolerable twelve year olds!
However, the most important addition is that the Xbox One will, supposedly, replace all other home entertainment systems with Snap, which allows two programs to simultaneously run on-screen. That means Netflix/Halo or Football/Madden simultaneously. The implications could be enormous for the home-entertainment industry.
PS4: The biggest plus of the PS4 is that it costs $399 — that’s $100 less than the Xbox One. Though the PS4 doesn’t include any Kinect-like hardware, it does come with one controller and a headset! Sony also has worthwhile exclusives at launch like Killzone: Shadow Fall and Infamous: Second Son.
Further, the PS4 allows streaming to the PS Vita handheld, because everyone has a Vita (see: Vita: The Worst Entertainment Launch in History). But seriously, having handheld PS4 games is a game-changing possibility and could reasonably cause a Vita sale explosion.
But the console’s biggest draw (to outdo Snap) is the Gaikai cloud service. What this means, simply, is the ability to play PS1, PS2, and PS3 games, with online capabilities, on the PS4. That means Ape Escape, God of War 2, and Half Life online. On the PS4. Pinch me; this thing could be a total nostalgia machine.
Dat App: Steam OS
By Max Cohen, Staff Writer
@not_maxcohen
Many eagerly anticipate the arrival of a Valve console./PHOTO VIA Wikimedia Commons
The last time there was a major entry into the console market was in 2001 with Microsoft’s Xbox. The industry has since been ruled by the warring Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. Championing a changing market this year, independent consoles like Ouya and the Nvidia Shield failed to be anything more than novelty, showing the difficulty of usurping any market share. However, one of gaming most innovative companies, Valve, wants to alter the gaming universe.
Valve created Portal, Left for Dead and Half-Life, which all made millions and garnered sparkling reviews. They also revolutionized PC gaming with their program Steam, which allowed PC gamers to have an ever-expanding game marketplace on their computer. So they’re legit. Thus far, Valve has been successful, integral even, in the gaming landscape. Now they’re aiming for the home-console market with last week’s reveal of the Steam OS and Steam Machines (noticing a theme?)
The first reveal was for a non-proprietary operating system running on Linux: Steam OS. This autonomous OS allows Valve creative control over their marketplace rather than bowing to the regime-like tendencies of Microsoft and Sony.
In addition, the OS will allow gamers access to Valve’s independent Steam library of 3000+ games.
The second reveal was Steam OS’s platform: Steam Machines. Although specs haven’t been disclosed, it is expected to release in 2014 with an unspecified number of different models.
“I don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all strategy,” said Valve mastermind Gabe Newell regarding consoles. His Steam Machines will natively run Steam OS, with all Steam marketplaces, deals and exclusives therein. With their independent marketplace, Valve may use the Machines as a sanctuary for the surging indie-gaming studios that would revel in no longer paying Microsoft/Sony’s exorbitant publishing costs.
Additionally, there is evidence that Valve plans on releasing the feverishly anticipated Half-Life 3, exclusively for Steam Machines. With a possible price tag of 100 dollars and indie-games and Half-Life exclusivity, Valve could have a real winning combination to break onto the market.
But there is an ongoing debate about the Steam Machine’s purported success. To succeed, Valve would have to time and market their releases precisely. But it shouldn’t be that difficult. They have a cheap, non-proprietary product geared towards both the casual and hardcore gamer. I’m sold.
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