Streaming games look to make consoles, PC upgrades obsolete

Streaming games look to make consoles, PC upgrades obsolete

  10:12:00 PM    Science Lover

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A screenshot of the OnLive ‘Arena’ of games

A new technology service called OnLive claims to have developed a way to stream video games over the Internet, without any lag that humans can notice.

The on-demand service would allow users to play games on any TV and nearly any personal computer – even stripped-down netbooks and PCs without graphics processors, said founder and chief executive Steve Perlman.

“When you want to play a game, you just click a button and it plays instantly. It’s that simple,” said Perlman. “So the instant you press a button to shoot something on the screen, the gun goes off.”

This has not been possible before, because unlike with music and movies – which can be compressed for easy online transfers before being streamed – video games are interactive and require instant responses.

OnLive’s technology gets around that limitation with a new form of compression that lets its game servers communicate with players over broadband connections in real time.

Thus, the service can also work on older computers, even those without a graphics processing unit – an essential component of gaming.

For a standard definition TV, a broadband connection of at least 1.5 megabits per second (mbps) is required. And for HDTV resolution, a connection of at least 5 mbps is needed.

Through a “MicroConsole” gadget, OnLive’s service will also be available for television sets.

In a demonstration on Tuesday at the Game Developers Conference in San Diego, Perlman played Crysis – a game notorious for its demanding graphical processing needs – on a TV set and on a Mac laptop through OnLive.

Leading game publishers, such as Electronic Arts, Take-Two and Eidos, have already signed on. OnLive has also incorporated social networking elements for multiplayer gaming, such as letting users share ‘brag clips’, which save the last 10 seconds of your game.

Perlman has a lot of confidence in OnLive: “It’s the last console you’ll need.”

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Work or play?

Work or play?

  10:19:00 PM    Science Lover

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With video games gaining popularity as effective teaching tools, computer giant IBM has now devised a free game called Innov8 meant for budding businessmen

A student controls her virtual
avatar in the new Innov8 game


Computing giant IBM recently announced Innov8 v.2 – a “serious game” that helps students and professionals hone their business and technology skills in a compelling, familiar video game format.

Serious games are at the cusp of widespread adoption within all sectors of business and government, from military flight simulators to corporate training. According to leading video game marketing consultancy The Apply Group, by 2012, between 100 and 135 of the Global Fortune 500 will have adopted gaming for learning.

Innov8 v.2, IBM says, will be available at no cost to businesses and academic institutions for simulations and training.

The game features puzzles and tasks that challenge players to tackle real-world challenges; complete with a global collaboration feature for players to work with virtual teammates in order to progress to the next level of the game.

“Business simulations allow companies to optimise costs, mitigate risks and remain agile in a rapidly changing environment,” said Sandy Carter, IBM vice president of SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) and BPM (Business Process Management). “The features in this game provide a powerful tool for businesses to simulate challenges and explore the range of solutions…”

For example, Innov8 has incorporated scenarios that reflect a new level of intelligence required for future, high-value job opportunities:

•   ‘Green’ Supply Chain: Players evaluate a traditional supply chain model and are tasked with reducing a fictional company’s carbon footprint.

•   Efficient Traffic Flow: Players evaluate existing traffic patterns and re-route traffic based on sensors that alert the player to disruptions such as accidents and roadway congestion.

•   Call Centre Customer Service: Using a call centre environment, players can develop more efficient ways in which to respond to customers.

Learning Through Visualisation

“Most MBA programmess today are already heavily based on projects that reflect how individuals and teams need to interact in the real world,” Carter said. “Innov8 takes that a step further by actually allowing students to step into a dynamic business environment.”

At present, more than 100 universities – from Duquesne University and the University of Southern California in the USA, to Manchester Business School in the UK – have teamed with IBM to integrate Innov8 into their curricula.

“Until now, some of the most important skills such as leadership, project management, innovation and entrepreneurship could only be taught using standard case studies and inspirational quotes,” said Clark Aldrich, author of The Complete Guide to Simulations and Serious Games…

“IBM’s game is one way that universities can help students to learn this by doing it through simulations, in conjunction with traditional teaching methods; thus building skills and retaining knowledge,” he said.

Innov8 v.2 will be available in May 2009. For details, visit www.ibm.com/Innov8.

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Banned video game is 'fine art'

Banned video game is 'fine art'

  11:36:00 AM    Science Lover

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The US publishers of a video game banned in the UK and Ireland have described it as a "fine piece of art".

Take Two chairman Strauss Zelnick said Manhunt 2 had his full support and that consumers should decide for themselves.

"The Rockstar team has come up with a game that fits squarely within the horror genre and was intended to do so," Mr Zelnick said in a statement.

The sale of the game is unlikely to go ahead in the US and has not been granted certification in the UK.

"It brings a unique, formerly unheard of cinematic quality to interactive entertainment, and is also a fine piece of art," Mr Zelnick said.

The game has been designed Adult Only in the US but both Nintendo and Sony have confirmed that the title will not be able to be released on their platforms as originally intended.

In a statement, developers Rockstar said they were disappointed by the British Board of Film Classification's (BBFC) decision to refuse classification of Manhunt 2.

It said: "While we respect the authority of the classification board and will abide by the rules, we emphatically disagree with this particular decision.

The adult consumers who would play this game fully understand that it is fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more Rockstar statement

"Manhunt 2 is an entertainment experience for fans of psychological thrillers and horror. The subject matter of this game is in line with other mainstream entertainment choices for adult consumers."

Rockstar are also the developers of other controversial titles including Grand Theft Auto and Canis Canem Edit.

The game features many violent scenes

In rejecting the game, David Cooke, director of the BBFC, said: "Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone.

"There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game."

Rockstar's statement continued: "We believe all products should be rated to allow the public to make informed choices about the media and art they wish to consume.

"The stories in modern videogames are as diverse as the stories in books, film and television. The adult consumers who would play this game fully understand that it is fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more."

Manhunt 2 was developed for the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2 consoles.

SOURCE : BBC NEWS : TECHNOLOGY

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