Today's most Microsoft Surface-y video: Firefly demo

by Kyle Orland { Feb 28th 2008 at 5:15PM }

It's been a while since we first speculated on the gaming potential of Microsoft's Surface multi-touch tabletop computer -- long enough, in fact, that that potential has now become somewhat more actual. Sarcastic Gamer has the video of a Carbonated Games demo for Firefly, a simple game that, appropriately enough, involves gathering fireflies into jars (sorry Whedon fans, no Reavers here).

The multi-touch abilities of the Surface are put to good use in the video -- even with three hands and up to 15 fingers pushing the little flies around, the Surface doesn't seem to miss a beat. Our favorite part, though, has to be the ability to squash opposing players bugs with your actual fingers. Try doing that with one of today's consoles. We dare ya.

Continue reading to see why the future of gaming is as bright as a squished firefly's bottom.

Tags: demo, Firefly, future, game, Microsoft, Microsoft surface, Microsoft-Surface, MicrosoftSurface, MS, multi-touch, touch

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Shagittarius @ Feb 28th 2008 6:21PM

I heard the original version had a 2 girls 1 cup theme.

DangerMouse @ Feb 28th 2008 6:30PM

Who broke the forum??

Scott @ Feb 28th 2008 6:53PM

Am I the only one that think it is funny that the names of two failed one-season TV Shows is the title for both products?

Anyone?

Saria the Cat @ Feb 29th 2008 1:43PM

Hey, man, those titles bear many fans! I for one was disappointed to learn that there were no Reavers included with these games. :(

umm....hello??? @ Feb 28th 2008 6:54PM

ummm...hello?? where'd everyone go!?! why aren't you people talking to me??

pyro.danny @ Feb 28th 2008 7:03PM

This fails for getting my hopes up.

I was expecting Mal and the rest of the crew of Serenity.

Obie @ Feb 28th 2008 8:29PM

Can't wait this big-ass, expensive table to play this game!

Steve @ Feb 28th 2008 10:34PM

Want. Maybe 5 years before it's remotley affordable?

dukemeiser @ Feb 28th 2008 11:01PM

I'll be sure and spend the $10,000 on this table so I can play this game...

Mr. Bungle @ Feb 29th 2008 2:11AM

Seriously, I feel duped. SERENITY NOW!

Clutch_beast @ Feb 29th 2008 2:22AM

The game roused some suspicions about the touch tracking. While the number of points being tracked simultaneously was impressive, all of their motions were very slow. It just seemed to me that the game was perhaps designed to mask latency in the touch response, or perhaps distinguishing the points becomes more difficult at increased velocities. At any rate, while I'm, impressed, I'll need to see something faster paced and necessarily more precise before I pass judgment.

Bright @ Feb 29th 2008 2:25AM

thats a huge iphone come on now thats not innovative

Chris New @ Feb 29th 2008 2:58AM

well, that was rather boring.

baby sea tuna @ Feb 29th 2008 8:28AM

Way to build my hopes up and then cut them to ribbons!

Stupid Joystiq...

Neal Eaton @ Feb 29th 2008 9:37AM

The idea behind this is cool, but there is a major flaw in the article...the Surface concept is NOT MULTI-TOUCH...it uses cameras to sense and track hands and items on it's surface.

mocax @ Feb 29th 2008 10:08AM

you have to touch the screen for the cameras to register.
iPhone tracks the electrical resistance on the screen when your finger touches it, so Captain Hook can't use an iPhone with his hook arm.

Surface's cameras see the change in luminescence when a pressure's applied to the illuminated screen.

Multi-touch describes the technology for tracking multiple points.