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Loading... Gaming Immersion, IRL
Posted October 20th, 2009 by B. de la Durantaye
Full body interactive gaming
Welcome to the 1,190th edition of Loading...
Loading... is the premier daily MMORPG news, coverage, and commentary newsletter, only from Ten Ton Hammer.
How immersive can a game get? A new tech toy promises to deliver real time sensation to gamers and audiophiles alike. But is it going too far, or is it just the next logical step in the evolution of the gaming industry? Read more about this technology in today's Loading... Gaming Immersion, IRL.
The PulseYou vote with what you view at Ten Ton Hammer, and the result is the Ten Ton Pulse (What is The Pulse?). Here's today's top 5 Pulse results: Biggest movers today:
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One day, during beta of Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, I was wandering around Thestra and found an old run-down road that led into a forest. As I walked up the road, I could hear the birds singing in the distance, and see the wind rustling through the trees, swaying the branches and grass in a soothing rhythm. I thought I could even hear a woodpecker in the distance. I leaned closer into my monitor, and peered through the line of trees. I took a few steps forward and stopped to listen again, seeing if I could find where this woodpecker was pecking. As I stood there, hypnotized by the wind and the birds and the rustling of leaves, my mind wandered a bit, and I started thinking how nice it would be to just curl up under one of these trees for a nice afternoon nap. I remember thinking if I was going to do that, I had better bring a blanket, as the ground was probably pretty damp.Then, suddenly I snapped out of my daydream. I realized with a bit of embarrassment, how ridiculous I was being. I was playing a video game, and here I was trying to decide if the ground in the game was too damp to rest on. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what we can call immersion in a game. Sometimes a game captivates you so much, you can feel as if you're almost there.
Yesterday, an interesting news bit dropped into my inbox. Immerz, Inc. has developed a technology that allows the user to actually FEEL sensations in a game, or music and movies. Using a new form of "accousto-haptic" technology, the device apparently vibrates on your chest so minutely, that it's unlikely you'll feel much of it. What it does accomplish though, is apparently a very real sensation of 3D space, allowing you to perceive that "7th sense" - like when you know someone is approaching you from behind in a real world situation.
This all sounds so very cool, but it sounded a little gimicky to me. "I mean, c'mon. Really?" I asked. Well, according to the gal that sent me the info, she was quite impressed with it herself, having tried it out recently.
Currently the device is in the finals of the CEA i-stage competition, but if it really is as impressive as it sounds, we can expect to see it at next year's Consumer Electronics Show. If that happens, you can bet I'll be buying one over the next few years, and maybe finally get that chance to curl up under the tree on some damp grass after all, while the woodpecker continues his pecking.
Immersion or gimmick? Let us know what you think in the forums.
Shayalyn's Epic Thread of the Day
From our PC & Console Games (Non-MMO) forum
Borderlands
You asked us for a PC & Console Games forum, and we were happy to give you one. And now you're getting busy in that forum talking about your favorite non-MMO games. Today's hot topic is Borderlands, complete with embedded videos. Take a look and give us your opinion.
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Awesome Quotes from the Epic Thread
"A randomized system that can literally generate a bazillion weapons as well as a plethora of random mobs. If this game is as good as the hype it is going to rock!"
- OneEyeRed
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Have you spotted an Epic Thread on our forums? Tell us!
1 new Ten Ton Hammer MMOG features today! 73 in October! 2,021 in 2009!
Today's New Features & Guides
- Interview:
Exploring the Lore of Star Trek Online
For this week's interview with Cryptic Studios, Ten Ton Hammer spoke with Lead Writer, Christine Thompson, and Executive Producer, Craig Zinkievich to find out what awaits us in deep space, where no one has gone before. - Aion
Editorial: Speed Leveling or Sauntering?
The bulk of MMOs hitting the market are so concerned with making a great first impression that the games die off in the mid-level content and may or may not ship with any relevant end-game content. Aion attempts to overcome this by making the midpoint of leveling (level 25) a critical hinge point in the over-arching endgame. Aion has a few other mid-level-markers that make progressing achievable and rewarding as well. Aion has most player progression types covered, whether it's those wanting to blast all the way to endgame, or those wanting to gather, craft, PvP or explore all of the zones. - WoW:
The Overpull - "Hallow's End and the History of Stormwind"
The Overpull is back this week with more news, gossip, and fun all relating to World of Warcraft. This week we talk about guys who play girls or girls who play guys, The Guild's latest episode's insanity, a look into the kings of Stormwind, and recap the rest of this week's news. Be sure to subscribe if you want to see The Overpull in your inbox every Tuesday morning. - Editorial
– Which World of Warcraft Class makes the best Tank?
When forming a group in WoW, you know you need to get a tank, but which one? Which of the four possible tank classes are best? Should you pick the AoE based Paladin or Death Knight, or should you pick the more single target based Warrior or Druid? Byron “Messiah” Mudry looks at the various options that exist and their current viability in the World of Warcraft. - Runes
of Magic– The Warden: A Beginner’s Guide
Free-to-Play games are a dime a dozen these days, but there are a few that rise above the pack. Runes of Magic is one of those few to make the grade. Easy accessibility, smooth graphics, and fun gameplay combine to make this one F2P game that’s worth checking out. To help get you on your journey, Dalmarus has created this handy guide for Wardens just stepping into this dangerous land. - Aion
Fair Play: Be Cheat Free and the Best
With the recent mass bans in Aion, many players are left questioning what earns a ban and how they can avoid breaking the rules without losing their competitive edge. Find out what NCsoft considers cheating in a quick over view of the User Agreement and get some great tips on how to step up your game without the risk of losing your account. - Mix
It Up: A Guide to Synergy in Champions Online
The Power Sets in Champions Online are designed in such a way as to be independent from one another, but that doesn’t mean Cryptic intentionally made it so players have to stick to one set and one set only. Just as there are powers in each set that compliment each other, some from different sets work wonderfully together. William “JoBildo” Murphy shares what to look for in terms of power synergy, and offers a few examples in this guide. - DUST
514 Trailer Video (High Quality)
DUST 514 from CCP will bring action shooter gaming to the EVE universe as a separate, yet associated game. Players from both games will be able to affect the universe in their own ways, and offer assistance to each other to reach higher goals. It's a new concept, and a cool one. This trailer video shows a little action from DUST 514, now in high quality video format.
Hottest Content:
- Mix it Up: A Guide to Synergies in Champions Online
- Which World of Warcraft Class makes the best Tank?
- Exploring the Lore of Star Trek Online
- Champions Online: Millenium City Overview
- Gated Communities: Finding the Right Gaming Home
- Aion Beginner's Guide to the Abyss
- Can Aion overcome the re-subscription blues?
- Runes of Magic: New Player Introduction
- The Rift Between Us - A Guide to Rifting in Aion
- Runes of Magic - The Mage: A Beginner's Guide
Thanks for visiting the Ten Ton Hammer network!
- Benjamin J. de la Durantaye and the Ten Ton Hammer team