Tag Archives: #transreality

“things” able to not only occupy different types of perceived space but are able to transition into a native of any particular space

Billions and Billions…

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… of dollars.

From this Yahoo/AP press release:

Game publishers have to recognize that there are millions, if not billions, of dollars in advertising money coming their way in the next few years,” said Justin Townsend, chief executive of IGA Partners Europe, an agency that places in-game ads for clients.

…

Until very recently, advertisers weren’t rushing to place products in video games. They spent only $34 million in 2004 on in-game ads – a far cry from the billions spent on television advertising.

But that amount is expected to explode to $562 million by 2009, according to The Yankee Group research firm. Including “advergames” – games built solely to promote a product – game advertising will approach $1 billion by the end of the decade, the firm predicts.

which is essentially the same thing written in today’s Wired online article. Maybe it’s not “Want a Coke With That Railgun?”. Maybe instead it’s “You Need a Coke to Power That Railgun”.

Both stories via Blue’s News.

Killzone 2 and PS3 Images

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I don’t know how long it’ll be on the front page, but the game trailer for Killzone 2 is well worth a look. If this is what one of the first titles for Sony’s PS3 looks like, it’s pretty impressive already. It’s a bit violent (go figure), but this is a good example of the future of online 3D. Watch it over on gametrailers.com (available as both a Windows Media Video and as a Quicktime).

Motor Storm screenshot

If you don’t want to watch the video, then check out these screenshots over on C|Net (the above image is from a Gamespot early review of Evolution Studios’ Motor Storm). Yes, Mom, that’s a videogame.

(edit – there’s some online discussion over which PS3 movies and screenshots are real time and which are pre-rendered or just cinematics. As of now, it appears the Killzone 2 trailer is a pre-rendered video clip intended to match the eventual real-time game rendering. I’m venturing the above image is also pre-rendered. However, the F1 racing car screenshot on the C|Net link is reportedly real time gameplay.)

PayPal Plastic?

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BusinessWeek online has an article on PayPal that’s worth reading if you’re watching virtual economics. For those who aren’t aware, PayPal is owned by eBay. And of course the bulk of virtual transactions (for now) are apparently conducted over eBay. So as virtual currency becomes increasingly tied to real life, it’s interesting to read how PayPal is potentially in a position to extend its online presence into the real world.

A “Golden Age” For VR

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BusinessWeek online is carrying an article titled “Photography’s Golden Age“. It got me wondering if, or rather when, there would be a period viewed as “Virtual Sculpture’s Golden Age” (and I use the term “Sculpture” loosely). I haven’t really considered this. What with the current crop of game engines, some extremely compelling pieces could be made; and when real-time lighting enters both virtual worlds and MMORPGs there will then be commerce associated with these items in ways you don’t find in your average game. Food for thought.

[Edit: Tagged with #blockchain and #nft after the fact as their subsequent development was more-or-less what I was getting at with ideas surrounding “ownership” of digital goods and how supply-side economics might be reinforced through some means of ensuring artificial scarcity.]

Virtual Festivus

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Feng in Q3

Wired online is carrying a nice little article on Boston’s Cyberarts Festival. For me, the above image in their online gallery showing creator/artist Feng Mengbo inside Quake 3 is the most interesting, but I suppose that has more to do with my familiarity with the game than with what’s being done (I should give Feng my Squidgun model, the Rocket Launcher is so 90’s – besides being copyright id Software). From his site, it appears this is more documentation than interaction unfortunately. A shame.

For cool interactivity, Imaging Places is probably the highlight as it’s starting to move into new territory. From Wired:

Imaging Place reflects that real-and-virtual connection, by allowing viewers to navigate a map image, projected against a wall in a darkened room. The viewer of the Lowell piece, for example, mouse-clicks on certain parts of a satellite photo of the Lowell area, and zooms in to see videos of oral histories and bits of wisdom as told by local people.

This reminds me of my previous entry regarding augmented reality being used at historical sites. If only Feng was pulling that one off. I’m just waiting for someone to stream 3D data based on GPS position. Maybe then Feng’s visuals will mash-up with the interactivity currently limited to 2D imaging. And then… well, then we can fight over a virtual doll and create our own virtual holiday.