November 27, 2005
Hiatus
I sadly need to take a break on this project while I develop Discreet Interfaces. Hopefully I can return to it in the new year.
Posted by kaho at 06:15 AM
August 17, 2005
Some key points (on-going list)
I have been thinking about the context of Hit Me! and the various concepts it addresses. Certainly I am missing stuff, but this is a start.
1. Metagame/social context
2. Emergent behavior
3. Alternative gaming controls
4. Performace/ritual
5. Spectator sport through tournament structure
6. Technology as a tool to promote social/physical interaction
7. Technology as a tool to pormote physical activity
8. Utlizes both virtual and physical worlds (digital and real worlds)
9. Wireless technology/RF
10. Wearable technology
11. Low-budget game
12. Hacked commercial electronics
13. Urban game
Posted by kaho at 07:14 AM | Comments (0)
February 25, 2005
multiplayer
I have been thinking about having more than 2 players to the game. But first before I go into that I should talk a little bit about the technical constraints I first came across when making the game multiplayer.
The initial problem I had with multiple players was the fact that the wireless video could not be on the same frequency or 2 seperate streams of video could not be coming into the console at the same time. In fact, when I was first developing the game, I almost cried when I found out that the 2 cameras were on the same frequency and there wasn't a way to change the frequency on the camera (note: the recievers have tuning dials). The live video feed would conflict with each other, and I could not get 2 seperate images. But by chance while poking around the board on the camera, I somehow was able to change the frequency of one of them, thus making the first prototype possible. To this day I am not sure what I did, but it worked. Phew.
I was window shopping on my favorite site geeks.com and found this multi camera console.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=4CH-REALTIME-N&cat=VID
This camera system would allow me to make a 2 player game into a 3 or 4 player game. I don't have to depend on chance again to change the frequency of the cameras -- they are already on different frequencies. This automatically makes the idea of multiplayers beyond 2 possible!
I guess on one hand, I pictured the game to one day be played in a much larger space with more players (like in some abandoned warehouse with players jumping out from behind crates or something... the possibilities are endless -- muhahahaha) -- but this would change the game overall. First of all, it would change the whole spectator experience. Maybe it the spectators would have to watch the game on monitors each representing the cameras of each player. This is technically possible, although a little more difficult. I wonder if the player-audience relationship would be less dynamic in this case. Also I suspect the wireless devices would have more potential errors with the added distance and movement. Oooo, then certain "safe zones" could be created where rf signals can't reach... but I am going on a tangent. Oops.
So the more I think about it, the more I believe Hit Me should be a 2 person game in a smaller space. There is more of a solid relationship between the player and the audience. It's less confusing to watch. I mean, imagine what sumo or fencing would be like if there were 4 players. It would be confusing! You can witness so much more of the action when there are only 2 players. (Plus that it would be technically simpler, that's for sure!)
In conclusion, maybe some day in the future I would consider more players playing at once, even teams playing against other teams (like capture the flag or something). But for now, I will stick to the 2 player structure.
Posted by kaho at 07:24 PM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2005
HIT ME!
This is a blog for my independent study for Spring 2005, to finish the Hit Me! game I started 2 semesters ago in my Physical Computing Major Studio class with Marko Tandefelt. The following are some goals I would like to reach by the end of the semester. Nick Fortugno will be advising!
Following are goals:
1. UPDATE SOFTWARE.
Currently the prototype uses an old version of Director as well asoutdated Xtras that were only demos. Ultimately I would like to have it become a stand-alone application that can be easily set up when used. I would also like to consider the use of the web, more specifically, the posting of the snapshots onto the web automatically using Php.
2. TWEAK HARDWARE.
There are some time-related issues in the switching of the video channels that I think can be fixed once the video mixer chip is updated, and the coding/scirpting issues are ironed out. Otherwise, I believe the set-up is already quite effective.
3. 2 or MORE PLAYERS.
I would like to consider the possibility of adding more players to the game. There is currently a wireless camera system being sold for 4 cameras, therefore technically I can now add 2 more players. However, I am not sure this would be such a good thing for the game itself.
4. USER TESING.
I have not done any user testing on this game. I would like to learn how to legitimately test users/spectators experience and the effectiveness of the game. Then make necessary changes to improve the game. Essentially, I would like to go through the final stages of the game design process.
5. PRESENTATION.
I would like to ultimately organize an event at the school or in a more public location -- something like a tournament -- where the game can be used.
Posted by kaho at 12:48 PM | Comments (0)