Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Browserquest: an MMO tech demo made to work in browsers everywhere]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/browserquest-an-mmo-tech-demo-made-to-work-in-browsers-everywhe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/browserquest-an-mmo-tech-demo-made-to-work-in-browsers-everywhe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/browserquest-an-mmo-tech-demo-made-to-work-in-browsers-everywhe/#comments Browserquest is a game put together by Mozilla (the company behind the popular Firefox browser) and intended to show off WebSockets, a technology that allows constant communication between your browser and a server online. But outside of the tech, it's a nice little streamlined MMORPG. There's no story to speak of, but you can explore a beautiful world, meet NPCs, and kill creatures while upgrading your items.

Browserquest is also impressive because it's as cross-platform as these things get -- even just resizing your browser screen will change the way the HTML 5 game is displayed, so it works great on your big-screen monitor, mobile devices, or anything else you run it on. If you happen to be a coder, the full source is also available on Github, so you can see how it's all done, and even use that code to build your own games.

The graphics and gameplay are charming enough that you'll wish it was filled out more, but Browserquest already works as a template for what browser-based games might be like in the future.

JoystiqBrowserquest: an MMO tech demo made to work in browsers everywhere originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>githubmmorpgmobilemozillapcrpgtech-demowebsocketsThu, 29 Mar 2012 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the scenes of Quantic Dream's 'Kara' tech demo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/behind-the-scenes-of-quantic-dreams-kara-tech-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/behind-the-scenes-of-quantic-dreams-kara-tech-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/behind-the-scenes-of-quantic-dreams-kara-tech-demo/#comments
Have you thought about just how Quantic Dream pulled off that "Kara" tech demo on the PS3? If your answer, like ours, was that they actually built a female android and taught it how to speak all those languages and sing, then you're wrong. They didn't do that at all. Female androids don't exist in real life. Sigh.

No, instead they hired an actress named Valorie Curry (actually three different women -- Curry for acting, one for the German and French, and another to sing) to come in and do motion capture for the part, and refined and developed her performance over a series of about eight months before finally capturing it for the tech demo.

You can see the whole process in the video above, and watch the original tech demo below. Yeah, we guess it's cool and all that they put so much care and work into such a quality video -- but not as cool as a real female android. Sigh again.

Continue reading Behind the scenes of Quantic Dream's 'Kara' tech demo

JoystiqBehind the scenes of Quantic Dream's 'Kara' tech demo originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actresskaramotion-captureperformanceplaystationps3quantic-dreamtechtech-demovalorie-curryMon, 26 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Screenshot' tech demo is two-thirds Portal, one-third time travel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/25/screenshot-tech-demo-is-two-thirds-portal-one-third-time-trav/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/25/screenshot-tech-demo-is-two-thirds-portal-one-third-time-trav/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/25/screenshot-tech-demo-is-two-thirds-portal-one-third-time-trav/#comments
It's pretty rare for us to post about tech demos here on Joystiq, since they're not actually games and everything, but ThePodunkian's "screenshot" concept is so enthralling and mind-blowing that we had no choice but to share it with the class.

Joystiq'Screenshot' tech demo is two-thirds Portal, one-third time travel originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcportalscreenshotstech-demotime-travelSun, 25 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Ocean developer's real-time graphics demo is out of this world]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/star-ocean-developers-real-time-graphics-demo-is-out-of-this-wo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/star-ocean-developers-real-time-graphics-demo-is-out-of-this-wo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/star-ocean-developers-real-time-graphics-demo-is-out-of-this-wo/#comments This video shows off the new graphics engine created by Star Ocean dev tri-Ace to great effect. While not based on any existing game (or future title), it does feature clever cameos by a couple recognizable characters -- and looks absolutely stunning.

Continue reading Star Ocean developer's real-time graphics demo is out of this world

JoystiqStar Ocean developer's real-time graphics demo is out of this world originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftplaystationps3tech-demotri-ACExboxMon, 25 Apr 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Octodad meets Kinect: How one of the funniest games ever is finding new legs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/octodad-kinect-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/octodad-kinect-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/octodad-kinect-demo/#comments "Loving Father. Caring Husband. Secret Octopus."

Any doubts you may have harbored about the comedic value of Octodad -- the latest project from the increasingly acclaimed DePaul Game Development program -- were almost certainly abandoned after reading the tagline above. Cold souls in need of further convincing only need spend a few minutes with the free indie title to realize its genius. Everyone else is probably dead, or born without a sense of humor, which some might argue to be worse.

Octodad doesn't rely on shortsighted bursts of wit, wordplay or other pre-programmed gags to arouse laughter. Its humor is emergent -- the very act of wobbling the cephalo-protagonist between his patronly objectives simply is funny. Rather, it was funny.

Now that the game's collegiate developers have followed through with their plan to infuse the game with Kinect support, Octodad has reached a plane of comedy few other titles have even approached.

Continue reading Octodad meets Kinect: How one of the funniest games ever is finding new legs

JoystiqOctodad meets Kinect: How one of the funniest games ever is finding new legs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demodepaul-game-devjohn-murphykinectoctodadpcphillip-tibitoskitech-demoThu, 24 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch as two women, two WP7 devices, and a Kinect pelt a man with rubber balls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/watch-as-two-women-two-wp7-devices-and-a-kinect-pelt-a-man-wit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/watch-as-two-women-two-wp7-devices-and-a-kinect-pelt-a-man-wit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/watch-as-two-women-two-wp7-devices-and-a-kinect-pelt-a-man-wit/#comments It's not every day that Microsoft shows off its own technology being used for the forces of evil, but it did just that during company head Steve Ballmer's keynote at Mobile World Congress. Engadget was on hand to witness Kinect Adventures' Rally Ball minigame being controlled not just by a Kinect, but also two Windows Phone 7 devices controlling the flow of rubber balls being distributed. It's all fun and games until the gentleman playing is overtaken by a monstrous flood of rubber balls.

Microsoft notes that the demonstration was strictly a "tech demo," but it certainly hints at the possible future of Windows Phone/Xbox integration. It also opens the pandora's box-like door to Kinect/WP7/Surface crossovers, finally. Get a look at synergy in action just after the break.

Continue reading Watch as two women, two WP7 devices, and a Kinect pelt a man with rubber balls

JoystiqWatch as two women, two WP7 devices, and a Kinect pelt a man with rubber balls originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectKinect-Adventuresmicrosoftmobilemobile-world-congressmwc-2011rally-ballsteve-ballmertech-demowindows-phone-7wp7xboxMon, 14 Feb 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Move tech demo slices, dices, sets us on fire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/28/playstation-move-tech-demo-slices-dices-sets-us-on-fire/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/28/playstation-move-tech-demo-slices-dices-sets-us-on-fire/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/28/playstation-move-tech-demo-slices-dices-sets-us-on-fire/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We saw a handful of neat non-gaming applications for the PlayStation Move when the peripheral was first announced during E3 2009. Yesterday, Sony released a video showing even more of the Move's capabilities, such as 3D sculpting, branch climbing and ... um, face stretching? Yes, it stretches faces.

Continue reading PlayStation Move tech demo slices, dices, sets us on fire

JoystiqPlayStation Move tech demo slices, dices, sets us on fire originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationplaystation-moveps3tech-demoSat, 28 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft shows how Natal recognizes players, gender]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/microsoft-shows-how-natal-recognizes-players-gender/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/microsoft-shows-how-natal-recognizes-players-gender/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/microsoft-shows-how-natal-recognizes-players-gender/#comments Have you ever wondered what Project Natal actually sees through its beady, robotic eyes? A direct feed of the Natal's point-of-view was recently revealed to the audience of Microsoft Israel R&D's "Think Next" convention yesterday afternoon. Just past the jump, you can check out NextGen-News' video of a live demonstration from Microsoft VP of Hardware and Technology Dr. Ilan Spillinger and a female participant, both of whose genders and movements were successfully identified and Avatar-ified by Natal.

Watch the video after the jump to see Spillinger get more excited by this technology than anyone has ever been excited for anything else on the planet, ever.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading Microsoft shows how Natal recognizes players, gender

JoystiqMicrosoft shows how Natal recognizes players, gender originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genderIlan-Spillingermicrosoftnatalproject-natalresearch-and-developmenttech-demovideoXbox-360Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Augmented reality meets Virtual-On]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/video-augmented-reality-meets-virtual-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/video-augmented-reality-meets-virtual-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/video-augmented-reality-meets-virtual-on/#comments Project Natal? Sony's Motion Controller/Arc/Whatever It's Called? Psshht, whatever. They've got nothin' on the ARToolKit augmented reality Virtual-On demonstration we just watched. Spotted by Mecha Damashii, the tech demo gets our hearts all aflutter with the prospect of fighting a tiny mech while running from room-to-room in our apartment, dodging lasers. We hear those things are bad news! (Lasers, that is.) Regardless, if the video after the break doesn't get your heart racing, you should probably call a doctor -- you might be dead.

[Via GameSetWatch]

Continue reading Video: Augmented reality meets Virtual-On

JoystiqVideo: Augmented reality meets Virtual-On originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artoolkitaugmented-realityproject-natalsony-motion-controllertech-demovirtual-onTue, 26 Jan 2010 22:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Former GRIN/Square Enix title 'Fortress' tech demo leaked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/17/rumor-former-grin-square-enix-title-fortress-tech-demo-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/17/rumor-former-grin-square-enix-title-fortress-tech-demo-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/17/rumor-former-grin-square-enix-title-fortress-tech-demo-leaked/#comments It's been awhile since we've heard anything about GRIN's "unreleased masterpiece" -- a collaboration with Square Enix (and assumed Final Fantasy off-shoot) titled Fortress. An anonymous report released last September claimed the title was currently in the hands of another, unnamed developer. Yesterday, some tech demo footage purportedly displaying the fruits of said studio's labor landed on YouTube. We've posted said video after the jump.

Without any inclination of who is responsible for developing Fortress -- if anyone is developing Fortress -- it's impossible for us to test the credibility of this video. The original poster, YouTube user DiipuSurotu, doesn't mention where the video came from, only stating that it's a tech demo for an "official, but currently unannounced sequel to Final Fantasy XII." We've contacted Square Enix to see what they think of the footage.

It doesn't really look like your traditional Squeenix fare, but the character models certainly resemble those featured in the leaked concept art that surfaced last year. Oh, also? There's totally a Chocobo at the 1:15 mark. That's Final Fantasy-y enough for us.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Continue reading Rumor: Former GRIN/Square Enix title 'Fortress' tech demo leaked

JoystiqRumor: Former GRIN/Square Enix title 'Fortress' tech demo leaked originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xiifortressgrinrumorsquare-enixtech-demovideoyoutubeSun, 17 Jan 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive technology demonstrated at Columbia University]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/onlive-technology-demonstrated-at-columbia-university/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/onlive-technology-demonstrated-at-columbia-university/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/onlive-technology-demonstrated-at-columbia-university/#comments You might want to go ahead and put on your thickest, darkest sunglasses, because you're about to be blinded with science. OnLive founder and CEO Steve Perlman recently showed off the game-streaming technology's applications to a group of students at Columbia University in New York. Yeah, sure, you can be jealous of their rare opportunity, but take solace in the fact that access to this opportunity probably cost them $35,000 a year.

GamertagRadio snagged a video of the event, which we've embedded after the jump. It's awfully long -- feel free to jump to the 12-minute mark to check out the OnLive user interface, and the 17-minute mark to see the iPhone's social networking functionality.

Continue reading OnLive technology demonstrated at Columbia University

JoystiqOnLive technology demonstrated at Columbia University originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applecolumbia-universitycrysisiPodonlivesteve-perlmanstreamingtech-demoTue, 29 Dec 2009 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Then and now: Sony's motion-sensing, 'magic wand' controller tech ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/then-and-now-sonys-motion-sensing-magic-wand-controller-tec/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/then-and-now-sonys-motion-sensing-magic-wand-controller-tec/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/then-and-now-sonys-motion-sensing-magic-wand-controller-tec/#comments
Sony's motion-controller technology for PS3 isn't new; in fact, it dates back to the dawn of the PS2's EyeToy. Well before PS3 was ever announced, Dr. Richard Marks, EyeToy / PlayStation Eye creator, was demoing gesture-based, motion-tracking gameplay on PS2 -- using a colored ball and a camera. Sound familiar?

In the video after the break, you can watch Marks using a "wand" topped with a brightly-hued sphere to draw symbols in the air, which are translated into in-game spells -- the effects of which match the movement of the ball. It's very simple -- there's no tracking of depth and it's definitely not 1:1 by any stretch of the imagination -- but it's still interesting to see how far the idea has come since last-gen.

Who knows what improvements can (or will) be made before the PlayStation Motion Controller is supposed to launch in 2010? We've placed this year's press conference demo video after the break for comparison's sake.

[Thanks, dgonchild!]

Continue reading Then and now: Sony's motion-sensing, 'magic wand' controller tech

JoystiqThen and now: Sony's motion-sensing, 'magic wand' controller tech originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dr-richard-markseyetoymotion-controlplaystation-eyeplaystation-motion-controllerr-and-drichard-markssceaSony-Computer-Entertainment-Americatech-demovideoWed, 17 Jun 2009 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: Havok demonstrates behavioral tool v6.5 (with ninjas!)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-havok-demonstrates-behavioral-tool-v6-5-with-ninjas/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-havok-demonstrates-behavioral-tool-v6-5-with-ninjas/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-havok-demonstrates-behavioral-tool-v6-5-with-ninjas/#comments
With so many fantastic panels and discussions happening at GDC, how does a company make its message stand out? The answer: Use ninjas. Apparently the guys and gals at Havok got the "What's awesome?" memo and did just that, showcasing version 6.5 of its new behavioral tool set during the conference. Admittedly, video footage of the tech (found after the break) isn't going to smoke your shorts and knock your socks off, but the event-driven character behavior system hopes to make realistic reactions easier for game developers.

Havok's behavioral tech demo (featuring wacky ninjas) demonstrates animation "tells," allowing characters to properly react to what is about to happen or is in the process of happening. The tech -- which uses the very technical sounding system of Hierarchical Finite State Machines and Blending Trees -- hopes to empower game devs to create realistic scenarios that are easily transferable between artists and designers. What does that mean for the gamer? When a dude gets punched, it looks like that dude done get punched fo' reals. See, we can be technical too ... we have a doctorate in Awesomology.

Continue reading GDC09: Havok demonstrates behavioral tool v6.5 (with ninjas!)

JoystiqGDC09: Havok demonstrates behavioral tool v6.5 (with ninjas!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesomologybehaviorgdc-2009havoktech-demoSat, 28 Mar 2009 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The Ultimate Showdown: CryENGINE2 vs. Reality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/23/the-ultimate-showdown-cryengine2-vs-reality/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/23/the-ultimate-showdown-cryengine2-vs-reality/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/23/the-ultimate-showdown-cryengine2-vs-reality/#commentsFiled under:


Crytek recently whipped up a tech demonstration for their haughty, hardware punishing software, CryENGINE2, to show off at GDC. Mimicking an unforgettable ad for the Sony Bravia, the demo turned quite a few heads -- but how did the visuals of the ball-droppin' doppelganger compare to the original advertisement? Never one to miss an opportunity for a video comparison, Gametrailers whipped up the above video. What do you think -- are video games nearing photorealism? Or were your discerning, pixel-counting eyes not fooled?

JoystiqThe Ultimate Showdown: CryENGINE2 vs. Reality originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballsbraviacommercialcryengine2crysiscrytekenginesonybraviatech-demotechdemoSat, 23 Feb 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Unreal fluid gets dynamic (on the surface)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/gdc08-unreal-fluid-gets-dynamic-on-the-surface/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/gdc08-unreal-fluid-gets-dynamic-on-the-surface/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/gdc08-unreal-fluid-gets-dynamic-on-the-surface/#commentsFiled under: ,

Good enough to drink? Heck, Unreal's new water looks good enough to waste a full clip of ammo on! (Sure beats skipping rocks, eh?) We don't know how much a bottle of this stuff will set you back, but we do know: Gears of War 2 'Water Level' CONFIRMED!!!1

[Video courtesy of our pals at Mahalo Daily.]

JoystiqGDC08: Unreal fluid gets dynamic (on the surface) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dynamic-fluid-surfacesepicGDCgdc08tech-demounreal-engine-3Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alone in the Dark tech demo shows off lighting, inventory system]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/17/alone-in-the-dark-tech-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/17/alone-in-the-dark-tech-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/17/alone-in-the-dark-tech-demo/#commentsFiled under:

While the last Alone in the Dark video seemed to focus less on actual gameplay and more on various methods of chair destruction, this new tech demo video is far more worthwhile. In fact, we'd go so far to say that our anticipation for this game has risen significantly. The lighting looks stunning and the mix-and-match inventory system looks like it could be great fun, especially with the abundant use of sticky tape. We love sticky tape.

The inventory screen looks awesome and finally removes that "so where am I keeping all this junk?" question that pops up in the back of our mind during so many game. It's also nice to see some actual enemies, even if it is from a distance, along with multiple ways to splat them. Alone in the Dark is another game we're picking up from our "Don't Care" pile and sticking firmly on our radar.

JoystiqAlone in the Dark tech demo shows off lighting, inventory system originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alone-in-the-darktech-demoSun, 17 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's handful video: Mario, gesture mash-up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/todays-handful-video-mario-gesture-mash-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/todays-handful-video-mario-gesture-mash-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/todays-handful-video-mario-gesture-mash-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In what looks like a mash-up tech demo, Super Mario Bros. gets a helping hand from a player, with the plumber being guided and lifted by simple gestures. The video makes us hopeful for fun camera-based games to finally take hold. Bring on the crazy, creative games.

See the video after the break.

[Via BoingBoing]

Continue reading Today's handful video: Mario, gesture mash-up

JoystiqToday's handful video: Mario, gesture mash-up originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camerahackhottest-videohottestvideomariomario-handtech-demovideovideocameraWed, 23 Jan 2008 03:17:00 EST