It’s Finally Here…

One of the best things about working at the computer art department at SVA is that you get to see some amazing technology firsthand, as well as talk with those behind it.

Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of seeing something absolutely mind-blowing. I know that’s such a cliched term, but I assure you, my mind was indeed blown away, as well as the others who was in attendance. Its now been over 12 hours since seeing this thing and I still can’t stop thinking about it. To put it bluntly, and not to be over-dramatic or anything, but I saw the future. Its supposed to be the future of teaching, which it will be, all of us who witnesses the tech demo agreed on this without hesitation. But some of us also saw something else… the future of video games, or more specifically, the future of interactive technology.

Its really hard to explain… I’ve tried many times since yesterday and it all sounds rather boring or hard to understand. That might be because my brain is still having a hard time wrapping around all the concepts presents, as well as all the possibilities that’s still popping into my head. At its core, its a device which allows speakers, mostly teachers, to connect with the audience or students, without technology getting in the way. And I can attest to how annoying it is when you’re trying to talk to a class filled with students while demonstrating in front of a projected image; the light is right in your face so you can’t see the looks on everyone’s faces, let alone see if everyone is engaged or not. So its basically a projector that detects the speaker; it creates a perfect outline around him or her, so both the person isn’t blinded and the audience can see the info without the speaker obstructing or distorting the projected image. When I first saw this, my first impression was, “Well that’s pretty neat, I guess” as was the case for everyone else listening. But then we found out that it also allows

Well there’s more. It allows the speaker to manipulate elements on the projected image (which is from a computer screen of course) without touching a thing and simply moving his or her hands (or even whole body), as if they were the mouse. And then we saw more, much more. I know this might all sound somewhat boring or whatever, but I assure you, this device has the possibility to change everything. We simply could not believe what we were seeing; its what we’ve all been seeing in movies and comic books for seeming ages, but for real. The foundations are finally here.

Granted, much of what was seen was not completely original, but all previous attempts have been sloppy and too complicated. But here finally was an all in one box with a very easy to use and understand interface. The box itself took six million dollars to develop, and its content is worth easily ten times as much. I wasn’t ever sure if I could even legally talk about this… I assumed that I’d all have to sign NDA’s afterwards, and understandably so, but the inventor is not only proud of this invention, but feels very safe, thanks to all the patents he has to cover all his bases.

But aside from the learning component, the gameplay possibilities are almost incomprehensible. Its pretty much what Nintendo is aiming towards with the Revolution, but about twenty steps further. Nintendo wants to eliminate a cumbersome interface between the player and the play via a very stripped down controller, but this device pretty much gets rid of it entirely. Its actually a lot like Sony’s EyeToy, but on speed and crack. And watching this device in motion really made me realize something…. why I’ve been so bored with gaming as of lately.

With the oncoming next generation of video games, I’ve found myself somewhat unexcited (whereas in the past, I’m absolutely nuts whenever the new systems are on the horizon). I have a stack of games that goes up towards the ceiling, many of them the current “big thing”, and yet I barely touch them. Lack of time is one reason, but when I do have it, I find myself playing just five minutes of one thing, then another, then another. I just don’t feel as compelled as I once was, and I’ve refused to believe it was because I’m an adult with many other things on and in my mind, or that games “just aren’t as good today” (which is still such an annoying and obvious fallacy). Its just that gaming today has gone as far as it can, and I’ve been secretly desiring more, something completely different without even realizing it. Seeing the Revolution in action was the first real sign, but its this device which has finally opened my eyes with both hope and anticipation.

And best of all, I no longer feel bad for having a hard time “keeping up” with today’s games due its ridiculously complicated interface. There’s nothing wrong with not being able to hang with games that require 16 different button inputs. Though I can certainly see why gamers are all pissy towards the Rev… if one really thinks about it all, what it means for games and the gamers, it does become sorta scary. Plus all those hardcore gamers that are also couch potatoes are probably not keen on the idea of actually using more than just their fingers to “pwn”.

I know I sound totally nuts right about now, but its on its way. It’ll just take a few years, many years perhaps, but when it does, it’ll be absolutely amazing. I’ll still be playing “traditional” games, such as Metal Gear 15 via the Dual Shock 4, but there will be more, and now that I know that its finally happening, I’m happy. I’ve never been so excited about the future of gaming.
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Tomorrow is it. After almost ten years, I’ll finally be at a comic show with something of my own to sell. Of course, I didn’t draw any of it… oh well, next time. But hey, I did do the cover; truth be told, I really don’t like it (I always hate my own art), but at this point I just don’t have the time to really fuss with it:

I’m really looking forward to this year’s SPX, perhaps more so than ever before. It’ll be really nice to see some faces once again, but especially Todd Webb’s since he couldn’t make it to MoCCA this past summer due to his then recent car accident. I’ll get my chance to talk with him, and others regarding further contributions to the “Matt Hawkins Experience”. Gotta say, I like John’s suggestion a lot, if only for ego-stroking reasons… as if having my own auto-bio comic wasn’t enough!

Plus I’ll finally get the chance to meet Nicholas Gurwitch, who’s comic, Perry Bible Fellowship, is nominated for best web comic (I personally don’t consider it web comic because A. I see it print and B. unlike 99% of all web comics, its actually good). MK tells me that the guy is quite… the character. Can’t wait.

Speaking of, you’ll find me sharing a table with MK, who will not only have her Catflight collected, but a new book. Plus Katie will be there will a whole slew of cute stuff, and Robin will have his new book as well. So stop on by if you can
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One last thing, sorta off-topic: I’ve been having a TON of problems with my Fort90 email (I get messages way after it was sent, and I can’t seem to get anything from some folks, AOL users moslty), so those who need to get ahold of me, please cc all emails with my PixelJump address. Its the same as my Fort90 address, just replace the name with PixelJump.