Posts tagged games

I’m back!

We moved house recently and spent two weeks without internet, jeebus that was scary. Yep, two weeks in the real world - the graphics were awesome but the gameplay sucked…

Algorithm creates vector art from pixels.

An algorithm created by Microsoft researchers upscales 8-bit graphics and converts it into vector graphics, able to be upscaled to any size.

The algorithm identifies pixel-level details to accurately shade the new image — but more importantly, the algorithm can create smooth, curved contour lines from only-connected-on-the-diagonal single pixels.

Check out their full gallery here.

Something’s odd about that roadsign…

Why didn’t the bottom seven lines vanish?

Wii U rumoured to feature Android OS built in.

This is a pretty far out rumour which comes from a posting here back in February, but it would be an exciting one if true. The source claims that the Android OS will be integrated into the upcoming Wii U console, which would vastly expand not only the available library of games and apps for Wii, but would mean a larger potential user base for the new console due to the different functions it could bring to the machine.

I can see the handheld Wii U controller with the built in screen being perfect for mobile gaming, and with the huge array of games available in the new Google Play Store maybe Nintendo wouldn’t have the problems it had after launch of the 3DS, where only 16 games were available immediately (Many of them said to be half-finished and rushed out).

Sphero goes international.

I got an email through from Sphero today, who’ve released their smartphone/tablet controlled ball for international shipping. While super excited about this when I first saw it, it’s hard to know whether or not it would actually be any fun for any length of time. Here’s what the website had to say:

Sphero is like nothing you’ve seen before. It’s the first robotic ball gaming device that you control with a tilt, touch, or swing from your smartphone or tablet. Sphero delivers a unique mixed-reality experience with apps that let you engage in the virtual world and play in the real one. 

So now I dunno, $159 seems pretty steep for a ball. Anyone tried one out? How was it?

XAPPR gun turns your smartphone into a… gun?

I’m not sure if this will be exciting or not, but it sure makes me want to play laser tag.

The ZAPPR is said to be a “gaming peripheral for smartphones”. The device allows you to play augmented reality shooting games, such as AR Invaders. Of course you don’t need the gun to play that game, but it does look kind of cool.

While most handsets should fit the device, games are only available for Android and iOS at this stage. The ZAPPR costs $30 plus shipping - you can pre-order now for a June release.

Photo: Driveway Bowser.

Some virgins cool guys made this picture of Bowser on their driveway from duct tape. Idiots. After making something this awesome there’s no way you’d want to risk ruining it by driving over it, so that garage is probably going to be out of use for a while…

Robot learns to play Connect Four.

A French team has taught the Nao robot  to play Connect Four.

The robot understands voice commands, and has facial tracking to recognize the emotion of its opponent.

The relative size of the board is huge compared to the two foot robot (think of a playing on a board five feet tall), and Nao must stand back a bit to get an accurate picture with the camera in its eye. The proximity does not allow for stereoscopic vision. Once the board is accessed, Nao must track a complex series of data from its inertia sensors and motors to understand the kinematics necessary to place the piece correctly in the slot.

Check out the YouTube channel here for some videos of the robot in action.