Monthly Archives: June 2017

Called Echo Arena, the multiplayer part of the space exploration title pits teams of five weightless robots against each other in a frantic game of zero-g frisbee. The goal is pretty simple: get control of the flying disc, avoid attacks from other players and toss the space frisbee into the opposing team's goal. Actually doing this is pretty hard. Not only is navigating four dimensions difficult in itself, but the momentum of tossing yourself off a wall in zero gravity means it's exceptionally hard to catch a pass. With time and practice, it can be done -- but between the mechanics of the game and the VR experience movement model, there's a very clear skill curve.

That's probably why Intel chose Echo Arena to be one of two games in its VR Challenger League. Starting in July, Intel and the Electronic Sports League will host a competitive VR gaming series in both online and localized events before a finale at the Intel Extreme Masters World Championship in Poland next year.

After half an hour of training and four quick rounds of Echo Arena, it's hard to say for sure if it'll be the Rocket League of VR -- but it's definitely a start. Playing the game absolutely feels sport-like. Carefully balanced offense and defense are necessary for winning a match, and when our team didn't work together, things fell apart quickly. But not all sports are fun to watch. Even after I played a few rounds of the game, I found being a spectator it difficult -- it just wasn't easy to tell what was going on from an outside perspective. And without spectators, VR eSports just isn't going to work out.

It's an issue, but not an insurmountable one. Live commentary and a solid spectator mode could go a long way toward making sense of Echo Arena as a spectator sport -- and Intel is serious about making VR eSports viable. In all, up to $200,000 in prizes will be awarded to top players of Echo Arena and Insomniac Games' The Unspoken. That's a big investment.

Follow all the latest news from E3 2017 here!

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'Echo Arena' is competitive, virtual reality frisbee in zero gravity - Engadget

June 14, 2017 7:13 PM

FREEHOLD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) A first of its kind facility in New Jersey takes first responder training to the next level beyond reality and into the unknown.

Stepping inside the situational and response simulator, an officer responds to a noise complaint. It escalates quickly and the officer must react, CBS2s Meg Baker reports.

As a member of law enforcement, we can only hope that we will never have to shoot a suspect. But we must train in preparation to provide for a successful outcome when making a split second decision to use lethal force, Spring Lake Police Chief Edward Kerr said.

During training, officers wear a zapper to simulate what its like to be hit. The idea is to make the encounter as real as possible.

Learn and make mistakes in the simulator, instead of making them on the streets, Kerr said.

The new Monmouth County high-tech facility and $275,000 virtual reality room is the first of its kind in New Jersey.

Fighting crime has taken a new toll and challenge for law enforcement in the recent years. We constantly have to deal with threats, and threat assessment, and de-escalation of crisis, Sheriff Shaun Golden said.

Police, fire, EMS and other first responders can run exercises on active shooter incidents, like one demonstration in a cafeteria setting and a SWAT team response inside a school. Outside, K9 officers can run through an agility course.

The minute we think we have it figured out is the minute we ought to check our badge and gun and find other employment. Its our job to be innovative and on the tip of the sphere, Monmouth County prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said.

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Virtual Reality Helps Police Train For Active Shooter Situations ... - CBS New York

June 14, 2017 5:08 PM By Kristine Sorensen

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Virtual reality really hit the consumer market about a year ago, and for the first time, its at a price point that schools can afford.

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit has trained about one-hundred teachers in our region, many of whom are just starting to use it in the classroom, and theyre finding that students are embracing it as a new way to learn.

When the teachers put on the headset, which is the device that you put up to your eyes and wraps around the sides so you only see the screen, they realize it is much more than just an image on the phone. Its transportation to other places, other worlds and even other time periods.

What these teachers are seeing inside are images like the Grand Canyon, Stonehenge in England and construction of the Empire State Building.

Were not just limited to the world weve always known but we can literally transport to anywhere in the world with virtual reality, one teacher said.

At the instruction seminars, the teachers are learning how to implement virtual reality in their classrooms. For example, they are coming up with ways to use the virtual reality images of an iconic scene from Times Square in 1945 in history and writing classes; images of the Kilaneau volcano in science class; blockages in coronary arteries to teach medicine, and a virtual chemistry lab made by Schell games in Pittsburghs Station Square.

McKeesport High School chemistry teacher Mark Bacco is excited that students will be able to work with virtual chemicals that are too dangerous to use in a real lab.

Plus, he says, it saves a lot of time and money. To set up a lab and clean it up takes 15-20 minutes to set up and 15-20 to clean up and with virtual reality, its over instantly and kids still get same experience.

So the big question is how much does it cost? To make it affordable, some schools are asking kids to bring in their own devices. Then they use cardboard headsets that are only $5.

Propel High School art teacher DeVon Gandy says virtual reality can be an inspiration for many of his low income students.

They dont get to see anything outside where they live so they dont have the hope to become that, he says. He plans to use virtual reality to show his students other places and ideas. I hope to bring it to into the community, flood it with opportunity they wouldnt have because of financial issues.

The headset can also help students with ADD and ADHD because it focuses your attention. Its just the beginning of a new world beyond books.

Tyler Samstag, who directs innovative instruction for the AIU, says, People are excited about the ability for [virtual reality] to create empathy and access to places and content that otherwise they wouldnt have access to.

For the general public, if youve never experienced virtual reality, there are a few places you can do it right now in Pittsburgh.

The Carnegie Museum of Art has a virtual reality experience thats very futuristic. Its in the Hall of Architecture until September.

Kennywood has a ride thats using virtual reality the Sky Rocket Coaster.

And the Steelers are planning a virtual reality experience of the football games coming out sometime this year.

You can learn more about virtual reality in the classroom on Kidsburgh.org an online resource for kids and families.

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Kristine Sorensen joined KDKA-TV as a reporter/anchor in April 2003. VITALS Joined KDKA: April 2003 Hometown: Winter Park, Florida Alma Mater: College of William and Mary, Northwestern University Medill School of...

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Kidsburgh: Virtual Reality In The Classroom - CBS Pittsburgh / KDKA

Springboks

2017-06-15 11:54

Kings Park Stadium (Gallo Images)

Durban - As the Springboks chase a series win against France in Durban on Saturday, SuperSport will mark a first by offering a virtual reality stream from inside Kings Park.

The 360-degree view will be broadcast on SuperSports Facebook and YouTube pages and will feature action from inside the stadium in the build-up with a view of supporters and action from in the stands.

YouTube will have an alternative stream to see more of the stadium from strategic points around the field.

There will be pre-and post-match feeds as well as in-game footage.

Other packaged content from the day will be published on SuperSport social media platforms on Monday.

Any match footage will be geo-blocked to Sub-Saharan Africa.

"With rapid advances in technology, this was an inevitable move," said Gideon Khobane, chief executive of SuperSport.

"We hope this adds to therichness of thetraditional broadcast and look forward to seeing theresults."

Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:00.

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Virtual Reality for Springbok coverage - Sport24

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) Virtual reality is painting a new type of picture at Artlink in downtown Fort Wayne. The technology is the first open virtual reality creative space in northeast Indiana and changes the way art is created and viewed.

Two sensors create a virtual workspace for the artist to create in. The artist then holds two wands that effectively act as as a palette and brush. 3-D HTC VIVE goggles are worn to fully immerse the artist in an environment that they can create. The technology uses Google Tilt Brush software to allow artists to see horizons, shadows, highlights, and perspectives like never before. And through the internet, this art can be shared with anyone in the world who uses the goggles and software.

Theoplis Smith III, a local artist, says this technology is important for Fort Wayne:

We are shaping a culture in Fort Wayne. The biggest avenue is always being able to push the envelope more, push technology more, push those that may not even be exposed to art put them in the arena where theyre able to see what artists do, understand where we come from, and also for the other artists to be able to challenge us to grow

Matt McClure, Executive Director of Artlink, says this technology was made possible through a partnership with Arts United and other donations. He says one of the best things about the virtual reality creative space is that it is open to the public:

Having this technology in Fort Wayne gives people who would otherwise not have access to it open access to it. This is Artlink as an organization who represents the individual artists in this community to say everyone come on in and play and create.

Artlink is located at 300 East Main Street in downtown Fort Wayne. Summer hours for the virtual reality creative space will be limited and will vary. You can find those hours on the Artlink website and Facebook page. Time is booked in 30-minute increments. The cost is $5 per half-hour for Artlink members, $10 for non-members. This technology is for ages 12 and up. Click here for more information.

More:

Virtual reality reinvents art at Artlink | WANE - WANE

Sitting on a couch and playing Mario Kart with your friends is greatbut soon youll be able to get a full-on virtual-reality experience with Mario Kart Arcade GP VR. You might not get to buy it, but youll be able to play it if you visit the VR Zone in Shinjuku, Japan.

It's unclear whether this is a brand new game or a VR rehash of an existing Mario Kart Arcade GP game developed by Bandai Namco from the 2000's. Either way, this promises to be an all-new and unique Mario Kart experience. You could say this is Nintendos first shot at VR despite the publishing seemingly being their only involvement in the arcade game.

The game will run on the HTC Vive headset accompanied by an arcade-style car you sit in with pedals and a steering wheel. There are Vive trackers you wear on your wrists to throw items like bananas and shells at your opponents in the game.

The globally popular Mario Kart Arcade GP has been reborn at the VR Zone with the kind of thrill-packed action that could only come from a VR activity! Enter the Mario Kart universe you know and love and race to the finish line, says the VR Zone website. The course is filled with the well-known Mario Kart traps and tricks. Dodge giant Piranha Plants and Thwomps, leap over huge ravines, and watch out for Koopa as he tries to get in your way.

If youre a VR/Nintendo nut, head over to Japan to check this out. While youre over there, maybe do some real-life Mario Kart racing on the streets. Just watch out for blue shells.

Check out the video below from UploadVR showcasing Mario Kart and a few other VR titles coming to VR Zone.

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Virtual-Reality Mario Kart Is Coming to a Japanese Arcade - The Drive