Apr 12, 2008

Omni-directional treadmill allows individuals to sashay through virtual cities

Though not the first omni-directional treadmill we've ever seen, this version crafted for the EU-funded CyberWalk Project is entirely more interesting. The 6- x 6-meter device features an active walking area of 4.5- x 4.5-meters, and later this month, individuals anxious to prance through a virtual city will be able to strap on a head-mounted display, lace up their LA Lights and indulge in escapism. Aside from giving curious persons the ability to walk through a recreated version of ancient Pompeii, the device could also be used to meander through buildings not yet created or give firefighters a way to train without placing them in harm's way. Now, if only there was an option to dissolve into pixels and teleport to locales you find particularly intriguing, we'd be sold.

 

[via Engadget]

Apr 7, 2008

Xbox 360 Version Of Wii Remote In Development Since Summer | MTV News

360 wii controller

MTV News has an apparent insider who claims that Microsoft is developing a motion controller for the Xbox 360. I thought that this mole, if you will, sounded pretty legit until he claimed that they are also copying the idea of personal avatars similar to the mii's on the Nintendo Wii. I don't think MS would blatantly copy something cheesy like these mii's. We'll have to wait and see. Click the link below for the full article.

Xbox 360 Version Of Wii Remote In Development Since Summer | Game News Story | Multiplayer Gaming | MTV News


Click here for the informants sketch of the controller.

Apr 6, 2008

Pachter: EA could delay GTA IV's April 29 release - Joystiq

Mr. Michael Pachter – everyone's favorite clairvoyant video game analyst – has a knack for making headlines. Whether it's "Pachter snubs pal Lohan in Viper Club debacle" or "EA could delay GTA IV's April 29 release" we tend to take notice. On the latest episode of Bonus Round, Pachter told host Geoff Keighley, "I think if EA takes over Take-Two, they have an economic incentive to delay [Grand Theft Auto IV]." What economic incentive might that be? Why, to hold the release until the far more lucrative fourth quarter. As for why Take-Two isn't simply doing that itself, the Pach explains, "Take-Two, financially, has to get that game out ... they need the money. They need to get it out."
That's all well and good but, you see, it's just that we've had April 29th circled on our Strauss Zelnick pinup calendar (in permanent marker no less) for over two months and, since Peter Moore really dropped the ball, we also went ahead and got that date tattooed on our far less impressive biceps. So, to recap, if EA manages to merge their giant family with Take-Two's impressive roster, your plans for May are shot and we're going to have a funny tattoo story to tell the grandkids.


[via joystiq]